Wind Power
"I'm a big fan of wind power"
How it Works
- Tall machines called turbines (wind turbines), are produced and shipped out to a destination. Upon arriving, these turbines are built/put together, and they start working. They work by spinning whenever the wind blows. The energy in the wind turns the 3 blades, which in turn is spinning a rotor. That rotor is connected to a main shaft, which spins a generator to produce electricity.
Positive Effects
- Wind is a renewable resource.
- Wind doesn't pollute the Earth.
- Compared to other forms of energy, wind turbines can be more cost effective.
Negative Effects
- Due to the large turbines, wildlife could be potentially harmed.
- It is not always windy out. NO WIND = NO POWER.
- Good wind sites are often far away from cities (where the energy is needed), so more money has to go into building transmission lines so that we can get the power.
Additional Information
- Wind turbines cost about $1-$2 million dollars to build.
- Modern wind turbines last about 20-30 years.
- Maintenance of modern day turbines isn't as needed as it used to be. Due to sensors and other machinery in the turbine(s) to monitor how well its working, often times the turbine(s) only need "check-ups" every so often by human-beings.
- Due to Eastern South Dakota's flat lands, wind turbines are exceptional at making lots of electricity.
Bibliography
PICTURES
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/749310638517387265
http://192.241.188.121/w/wind-turbine-diagram.html
http://windenergyfoundation.org/interesting-wind-energy-facts/
WEBSITES
http://energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/
http://energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work
http://www.windustry.org/how_much_do_wind_turbines_cost
http://www.awea.org/Resources/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=5547