Wind Energy
Spinning its way to the top!
What is wind energy?
- This is when natural wind, from our atmosphere, turns a wind turbine's blades, which produces energy. Then, this energy is used in homes and in other buildings.
How it works
- Wind blows around a turbine's blades.
- The blades absorb or trap this energy and rotate.
- This causes the shaft inside to spin.
- Then, gearbox begins to spin because it is connected to the shaft.
- Lastly, since the gearbox is connected to the generator, it turns on so electricity is produced.
Advantages
- This is a clean way to make energy
- Doesn't release any greenhouse gases
- It is renewable and it uses hardly any water
- Puts tons of money into our economy yearly
- Wind is free
- Makes energy that we can use for electricity
Disadvantages
- These wind turbines cost more than a fossil-fueled generator would
- The rotor blades produce a lot of noise
- Wind turbines aren't visually appealing
- Many birds and bats have been killed by being hit by the rotors
- It isn't always windy
- Some windy sites are difficult to access because they are in remote locations
Extra Information
- There is a wide range to a wind turbine's cost because it depends of how many kilowatts it produces:
-10 kilowatt machine, that can power a large home, costs between $50,000 to $80,000 to be installed
-utility scale turbine costs between $1.3 million to $2.2 million per MW (megawatt)
- Turbine parts are transferred with semis, but companies try to build their buildings in the most wind efficient places.
- Wind turbines are monitored 24/7
- A normal turbine is checked once or twice per year to change oil and filters, and to have their bolts secured.
Sources
- http://www.awea.org/Resources/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=900
- http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/
- http://www.windustry.org/how_much_do_wind_turbines_cost
- http://www.awea.org/Issues/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=5035
- http://awea.files.cms-plus.com/FileDownloads/pdfs/O-M-PPR_1-pager-3.pdf
- http://windeis.anl.gov/guide/basics/turbine.html
- http://www.ecoticias.com/userfiles/2010/Feb_22/rotador_306/energy_eolic_23_rotador.jpg