Wind Power Scioly Key Info

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it transforms between forms (e.g., kinetic ↔ potential).

Heat

Transfer of thermal energy from a high-temperature object to a low-temperature object.

Temperature

Average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Scales: Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), Kelvin (K), Rankine (°R).

Celsius Scale

Freezing point: 0°C, Boiling point: 100°C. Based on water’s phase changes at standard pressure.

Fahrenheit Scale

Freezing point: 32°F, Boiling point: 212°F.

Kelvin Scale

Absolute temperature scale. 0 K = absolute zero. Freezing point: 273.15 K, Boiling point: 373.15 K.

Rankine Scale

Absolute temperature scale for Fahrenheit. 0 °R = absolute zero. Freezing point: 491.67 °R, Boiling point: 671.67 °R.

Windmill

Converts wind energy to mechanical work (e.g., grinding grain).

Wind Turbine

Converts wind energy to electricity via a generator.

Electric Power

Rate of electrical energy transfer: P=IV (power = current × voltage), measured in watts (W).

Voltage

Electrical potential difference between two points, measured in volts (V). Drives electric current.

Electric Current

Flow rate of electric charge (electrons), measured in amperes (A).

Watt

SI unit of power: 1 W = 1 J/s.

Ampere

SI unit of electric current.

Volt

SI unit of voltage.

Nuclear Power Plant

Uses nuclear fission to heat water, producing steam to drive turbines.

Coal-Fired Power Plant

Burns coal to heat water, producing steam for turbines.

Natural Gas Power Plant

Burns methane (from ancient marine plankton) to heat water for steam turbines.

Oil Power Plant

Burns liquid petroleum to heat water for steam turbines.

Lift (Aerodynamics)

Force perpendicular to wind direction, enabling flight or turbine rotation.

Drag

Force opposing motion through a fluid (e.g., air resistance on turbine blades).

Blade Pitch

Angle of turbine blades relative to wind direction. Adjustable to optimize efficiency.

Rotor (Wind Turbine)

Assembly of blades and hub; captures wind energy.

Gearbox (Wind Turbine)

Connects low-speed rotor shaft to high-speed generator shaft, increasing RPM.

Nacelle

Enclosure atop the turbine tower housing the gearbox, generator, and controller.

Generator (Wind Turbine)

Converts mechanical energy from rotating shafts into electrical energy.

Rotor Solidity

Ratio of total blade area to the swept area of the rotor. Affects torque and efficiency.

Low-Speed Shaft

Connects rotor to gearbox; rotates at 30–60 RPM.

High-Speed Shaft

Connects gearbox to generator; rotates at 1,000–1,800 RPM.

Electricity

Flow of electrons through a conductor, creating charge used to perform work.

Electric Charge

Property of matter causing electromagnetic force. Like charges repel; opposites attract.

Ohm’s Law

V=IR: Voltage = Current × Resistance. Governs relationships in electrical circuits.

Resistance

Material’s opposition to electric current, measured in ohms (Ω). R=V/I

Diode

Semiconductor device allowing current to flow in one direction only.

Alternative Energy

Renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal) with minimal environmental harm.

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)

Generates power using temperature differences between shallow and deep ocean water.

Physics

Study of matter, energy, and their interactions.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact (e.g., metal rod heating up).

Convection

Heat transfer via fluid motion (e.g., warm air rising).

Radiation

Heat transfer via electromagnetic waves (e.g., infrared radiation from the sun).

Specific Heat

Energy required to raise 1 kg of a substance by 1°C. Water: 4,184J/kg * K

Transformer Components

1. Laminated core (reduces eddy currents).

Transmission Lines

High-voltage (400 kV) lines for long-distance electricity transport. Made of aluminum/copper.

Substation

Steps down voltage (e.g., 400 kV → 12 kV) for local distribution.

Distribution Lines

Delivers electricity to homes (120/240 V).

Power Loss in Transmission

Caused by resistance (P=I^2*R) and inefficient generation (e.g., coal plants lose ~66% energy as heat

Conduction Formula

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Convection Formula

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Radiation Formula

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Pumped Hydro

Stores energy by moving water uphill.

Compressed Air (CAES)

Stores energy in pressurized air.

Batteries

Store chemical energy for later electrical use.

Hydrogen

Electrolysis converts excess electricity to hydrogen fuel.

Wind Turbine Components & Design

Anemometer: Measures wind speed.

5000 B.C. Wind Power

Egyptians used sailboats.

200 B.C. Wind Power

Chinese vertical-axis windmills pumped water.

11th century Wind Power

Persian windmills for food production.

19th century Wind Power

U.S. windmills for farming/water pumping.

1940s Wind Power

1.25 MW Vermont turbine.

1970s Wind Power

Oil crisis revived wind turbine R&D.

Joule (J): Energy/work.

Newton (N): Force (1N=1kg⋅m/s^2)

Coulomb (C): Electric charge.

Ohm (Ω): Resistance.

Solar Power

Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells or concentrated solar power. Disadvantages: High cost and reduced efficiency in cloudy/non

Wind Power

Generates electricity via turbines. Drawbacks: Visual impact, noise, and unreliability in low

Hydroelectric Power

Converts kinetic energy of flowing water (via dams/turbines) into electricity. Environmental impact: Disrupts ecosystems with reservoirs.

Tidal Power

Subtype of hydroelectric power using tidal currents. Low energy output and geographically limited to coastal regions.

Geothermal Power

Generates energy from underground heat (e.g., magma, hot rocks). Requires tectonic/volcanic activity, limiting viable locations.

Energy

The capacity to do work, measured in joules (J).

Work

W = F × d: Force (in newtons) exerted on an object multiplied by the distance (in meters) it moves.

Kinetic Energy

Energy of motion: KE = 1/2*mv^2, where m = mass, v = velocity.

Potential Energy

Stored energy due to position/configuration: PE = mgh (gravitational), where m = mass, g = gravity, h = height.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed; it transforms between forms (e.g., kinetic ↔ potential).

Heat

Transfer of thermal energy from a high

Temperature

Average kinetic energy of particles in a substance. Scales: Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), Kelvin (K), Rankine (°R).

Celsius Scale

Freezing point: 0°C, Boiling point: 100°C. Based on water’s phase changes at standard pressure.

Fahrenheit Scale

Freezing point: 32°F, Boiling point: 212°F.

Kelvin Scale

Absolute temperature scale. 0 K = absolute zero. Freezing point: 273.15 K, Boiling point: 373.15 K.

Rankine Scale

Absolute temperature scale for Fahrenheit. 0 °R = absolute zero. Freezing point: 491.67 °R, Boiling point: 671.67 °R.

Windmill

Converts wind energy to mechanical work (e.g., grinding grain).

Wind Turbine

Converts wind energy to electricity via a generator.

Electric Power

Rate of electrical energy transfer: P=IV (power = current × voltage), measured in watts (W).

Voltage

Electrical potential difference between two points, measured in volts (V). Drives electric current.

Electric Current

Flow rate of electric charge (electrons), measured in amperes (A).

Watt

SI unit of power: 1 W = 1 J/s.

Ampere

SI unit of electric current.

Volt

SI unit of voltage.

Nuclear Power Plant

Uses nuclear fission to heat water, producing steam to drive turbines.

Coal

Fired Power Plant

Natural Gas Power Plant

Burns methane (from ancient marine plankton) to heat water for steam turbines.

Oil Power Plant

Burns liquid petroleum to heat water for steam turbines.

Lift (Aerodynamics)

Force perpendicular to wind direction, enabling flight or turbine rotation.

Drag

Force opposing motion through a fluid (e.g., air resistance on turbine blades).

Blade Pitch

Angle of turbine blades relative to wind direction. Adjustable to optimize efficiency.

Rotor (Wind Turbine)

Assembly of blades and hub; captures wind energy.

Gearbox (Wind Turbine)

Connects low

Nacelle

Enclosure atop the turbine tower housing the gearbox, generator, and controller.

Generator (Wind Turbine)

Converts mechanical energy from rotating shafts into electrical energy.

Rotor Solidity

Ratio of total blade area to the swept area of the rotor. Affects torque and efficiency.