Wind Energy
By Emily Moser, Kaylee Kytasaari, Samuel Howard, Mahtab Gill
Renewable or Non-renewable?
Wind energy is a renewable source of energy. As long as the sun is shining there will be wind energy available. Wind comes from atmospheric changes. Changes in temperature and pressure makes the air move around the surface of the Earth.
Where is Ideal Place for Wind Energy?
- Windiest spots in the US are
-down the great plains
-mountains
- Wind is strongest when their are not a lot of buildings to block it
- Wind availability is not strong in Johnson County because there are many buildings and un-open land
- KS is ranked third for wind energy potential
- Average wind speed must be 18km/hour to make installing a windmills worthwhile
How Windmills Work
It is fairly easy to convert wind into electricity using these steps.
- Kinetic energy is transformed into electrical energy by using turbines
- Turbine is composed of 3 propeller like blades called rotors
- Rotors are connected to the top of a tall pole
- Most windmills are 20 meters high (wind is stronger higher up)
- The wind causes the rotors to spin
- The rotors create power for a generator which makes energy
PROS
-Does not pollute the air/ clean
-The nation's wind supply is abundant.
-Wind power is cost effective. It costs between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. It is one of the cheapest renewable energy resources.
-Wind creates jobs. In 2012 the US employed 73,000 workers
-The nation's wind supply is abundant.
-Wind power is cost effective. It costs between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. It is one of the cheapest renewable energy resources.
-Wind creates jobs. In 2012 the US employed 73,000 workers
CONS
-Could damage wildlife (birds could fly into windmills)
-Creates lot of noise
-Land availability (has to be open land where wind is strong)
-Not the best option for large cities (NYC or LA) due to all of the buildings which block the wind flow, making wind weaker
Wind Energy in the Community
Transportation-
In California, there is a car being designed which starts by using solar power, and then as it travels to its destination it is powered by the wind.
Homes and Schools-
Yes, installing a wind generator at your home or school is an option. There is just a few easy steps to follow.
-determine if the wind generator is economical for your area
-find out if your area allows small generators are allowed
-purchase and install a turbine fit for the needs of your home or school
Nothing would need to be changed to our homes to install wind generators.
In California, there is a car being designed which starts by using solar power, and then as it travels to its destination it is powered by the wind.
Homes and Schools-
Yes, installing a wind generator at your home or school is an option. There is just a few easy steps to follow.
-determine if the wind generator is economical for your area
-find out if your area allows small generators are allowed
-purchase and install a turbine fit for the needs of your home or school
Nothing would need to be changed to our homes to install wind generators.
Pollution
- Wind energy is one of the most clean sources of energy putting out zero global warming emitions or toxic pollution.
- No hydrogen is put into the ground and no fumes are given of to kill crops.
- There is no impact on earth's water.
- Wind Turbines are known to be very loud. Most of the sound generated from the turbines are caused when the blades spin through the air.
- This form of energy would solve our current pollution problems because no chemicals or harmful gasses are emitted in the process.
10 Top States for Wind Energy
- North Dakota
- Texas
- Kansas
- South Dakota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Wyoming
- Oklahoma
- Minnesota
- Iowa
Our Opinion on Wind Energy
Wind Energy is a great alternative to using fossil fuels. It emits no poisonous gases and in the long run would help keep the environment clean and will help fix the current pollution problems.