6.12- Wind Energy

How is wind energy produced?

Kinetic energy of moving air converts mechanical energy to electricity which is connected to a gearbox.

Up to how many homes can a turbine power?

460 homes

What is the average wind turbine capacity factor?

15-30. Only produces winds in 8-55 wind speeds.

Why are turbine clusters better?

Makes service, repair, and building transmission easier as well as it can share land with agricultural use

What are the ups and downs of Offshore wind turbines?

There are faster winds but requires longer transmission lines to reach homes.

Benefits of wind power

-Non depletable

-No CO2 emmissions

-No PM. Sox

-Can share land use (doesn’t destroy habitats.

Drawbacks of wind power

-Intermittency (wind isn’t availlable 24/7)

-Can’t replace base-load power (FFs, Nuclear, geothermal)

-Can kill birds and bats

-Noise pollution and eyesore.