An Introduction to Wind Energy Prepared for www.philazine.com by Philip Woodard – 2009 – all rights reserved ©

The Basics Like old fashioned windmills, modern wind machines use blades to collect the wind’s kinetic energy Basic design developed by Persians 800 A.D. Early use to pump water and grind grain As the wind flows over the wing- shaped blades, lift causes the blades to turn The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity

Like old fashioned windmills, modern wind machines use blades to collect the wind’s kinetic energy

Basic design developed by Persians 800 A.D.

Early use to pump water and grind grain

As the wind flows over the wing- shaped blades, lift causes the blades to turn

The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator to produce electricity

The Basics – Part Two Large wind turbines generate enough electricity for 600 homes 3.1 Usually placed in high wind areas in tens and sometimes in hundreds Vertical windmills generate 50% more electricity than horizontal windmills

World Wind Energy At the end of 2007, worldwide capacity was 94.1 gigawatts About one percent of world-wide electricity Fivefold increase between 2000 and 2007 On one windy morning in March, 2009, Spain produced 40 percent of its electrical demand with wind Global wind capacity grew 29% in 2008, and U.S. surpassed Germany to lead world in generating wind power 4.1 Wind power produces about 1.5% of worldwide electricity use

World Wind Energy T housands of wind turbines currently in operation with a total capacity (2008) of 121,188 MW Wind power in Europe accounts for 55% of the use 81% of wind power installations are in the US and Europe The UK is building a 90 square mile (the “London Array”) offshore wind farm with 175 turbines producing 630 megawatts (MW) seven miles off the coast of Kent A Stage Two ups the plan to 341 turbines and 1 gigawatt (GW) of power, enough for a quarter of all the homes in Greater London and by far the biggest off shore development in the world 5.1

T housands of wind turbines currently in operation with a total capacity (2008) of 121,188 MW

Wind power in Europe accounts for 55% of the use

81% of wind power installations are in the US and Europe

The UK is building a 90 square mile (the “London Array”) offshore wind farm with 175 turbines producing 630 megawatts (MW) seven miles off the coast of Kent

A Stage Two ups the plan to 341 turbines and 1 gigawatt (GW) of power, enough for a quarter of all the homes in Greater London and by far the biggest off shore development in the world 5.1

U.S. Wind Energy After two decades, U.S. wind industry hit 10,000 megawatt capacity mark in 2006 By 2008, capacity doubled again to 27,000 megawatts Enough electricity to serve 7 million American homes or power a fleet of more than 1 million plug-in hybrid vehicles Enough energy to replace 28.7 million tons of coal or 90 million barrels of oil About 42% of all the new power-producing capacity completed in 2008

History American Charles F. Brush was the first to produce electricity using a wind powered machine Scotsman James Blyth received a UK patent in 1891 Blyth's 33 foot high, cloth-sailed wind turbine was installed in the garden of his holiday cottage at Marykirk in Scotland to charge batteries and light his house Blyth offered the surplus electricity to the people of Marykirk for lighting the main street They turned down the offer as they thought electricity was “the work of the devil”

American Charles F. Brush was the first to produce electricity using a wind powered machine

Scotsman James Blyth received a UK patent in 1891

Blyth's 33 foot high, cloth-sailed wind turbine was installed in the garden of his holiday cottage at Marykirk in Scotland to charge batteries and light his house

Blyth offered the surplus electricity to the people of Marykirk for lighting the main street

They turned down the offer as they thought electricity was “the work of the devil”

History – Part Two Large, utility-scale wind energy conversion systems were developed in the U.S.S.R. (1931) with a 100kW wind generator Operated for about two years on the shore of the Caspian Sea Experimental wind plants were also built in the United States, Denmark, France, Germany, and Great Britain from 1935-1970 Largest was a 1.25 megawatt Smith-Putnam machine installed in Vermont in 1941 Horizontal-axis design featured a two-bladed, 175-foot diameter rotor oriented down-wind of the tower at a constant 28 RPM Lasted by four years Denmark operated the 200 kW Gedser Mill wind turbine successfully until the early 1960s

Large, utility-scale wind energy conversion systems were developed in the U.S.S.R. (1931) with a 100kW wind generator

Operated for about two years on the shore of the Caspian Sea

Experimental wind plants were also built in the United States, Denmark, France, Germany, and Great Britain from 1935-1970

Largest was a 1.25 megawatt Smith-Putnam machine installed in Vermont in 1941

Horizontal-axis design featured a two-bladed, 175-foot diameter rotor oriented down-wind of the tower at a constant 28 RPM

Lasted by four years

Denmark operated the 200 kW Gedser Mill wind turbine successfully until the early 1960s

Declining Costs Over the last 20 years, the cost of electricity from utility-scale wind systems has dropped by more than 80% With the first utility-scale turbines, wind-generated electricity cost as much as 30 cents per kilowatt-hour Current wind power plants generate electricity for less than 5 cents/kWh, competitive with new coal- or gas-fired power electricity Governed by economy of scale: the larger machines are always more cost effective 2009 offshore project in the UK delayed because costs were running six times the cost of nuclear 8.1

Over the last 20 years, the cost of electricity from utility-scale wind systems has dropped by more than 80%

With the first utility-scale turbines, wind-generated electricity cost as much as 30 cents per kilowatt-hour

Current wind power plants generate electricity for less than 5 cents/kWh, competitive with new coal- or gas-fired power electricity

Governed by economy of scale: the larger machines are always more cost effective

2009 offshore project in the UK delayed because costs were running six times the cost of nuclear 8.1

Three Cost Factors Size of the wind farm – larger means lower generating costs Wind speed at the site – faster means lower generating costs Cost of installing the turbines – cheaper means lower generating costs

Size of the wind farm – larger means lower generating costs

Wind speed at the site – faster means lower generating costs

Cost of installing the turbines – cheaper means lower generating costs

Major Wind Users -- 2007 Denmark, Spain, and Portugal received almost 20% and Germany and Ireland over 7% of their power from wind Minnesota and Iowa received almost 07% of their power from wind At the end of 2008, the U.S. produced the most power from wind 43% of all new electricity generating capacity built in the EU in 2008 was wind energy: more than all other technologies including gas, coal and nuclear power

Denmark, Spain, and Portugal received almost 20% and Germany and Ireland over 7% of their power from wind

Minnesota and Iowa received almost 07% of their power from wind

At the end of 2008, the U.S. produced the most power from wind

43% of all new electricity generating capacity built in the EU in 2008 was wind energy: more than all other technologies including gas, coal and nuclear power

Denmark, Spain, and Portugal received almost 20% and Germany and Ireland over 7% of their power from wind Minnesota and Iowa received almost 07% of their power from wind At the end of 2008, the U.S. produced the most power from wind Leading Nations Using Wind 788 572 510 18 Sweden 805 745 496 17 Ireland 824 817 708 16 Australia 871 746 573 15 Greece 982 965 819 14 Austria 1,538 1,394 1,061 13 Japan 1,747 1,560 1,219 12 Netherlands 1,856 1,459 683 11 Canada 2,150 1,716 1,022 10 Portugal 2,389 1,963 1,332 9 United Kingdom 2,454 1,567 757 8 France 2,726 2,123 1,718 7 Italy 3,129 3,140 3,136 6 Denmark (& Faeroe Islands) 6,050 2,604 1,260 5 China 8,000 6,270 4,430 4 India 4,430 15,145 11,615 10,028 3 Spain 16,818 11,603 9,149 2 United States 22,247 20,622 18,415 1 Germany 2007 2006 2005 Nation 65 61 18 36 Hungary 66 48 23 35 Iran 70 36 6 34 Bulgaria 74 74 71 33 Costa Rica 87 88 3 32 Mexico 89 86 77 31 Ukraine 110 86 82 30 Finland 114 124 64 29 Morocco 116 50 28 28 Czech Republic 146 51 20 27 Turkey 191 173 98 26 South Korea 247 237 29 25 Brazil 276 153 83 24 Poland 282 188 104 23 Taiwan 287 193 167 22 Belgium 310 230 145 21 Egypt 322 171 169 20 New Zealand 333 314 267 19 Norway 2007 2006 2005 Nation

Denmark, Spain, and Portugal received almost 20% and Germany and Ireland over 7% of their power from wind

Minnesota and Iowa received almost 07% of their power from wind

At the end of 2008, the U.S. produced the most power from wind

Wind Map of the U.S. Fair Good Excellent Outstanding Superb At the end of the third quarter of 2008, the states with the most cumulative wind power capacity installed are: Texas, with 6,297 MW; California, with 2,493 MW; Iowa, with 1,394 MW; Minnesota, with 1,377 MW; and Washington with 1,367 MW.

Location Location Location Wind speed increases with altitude and over open areas with no windbreaks Good sites for wind plants are the tops of smooth, rounded hills, open plains or shorelines, and mountain gaps that produce wind funneling Germany and the United States are the two leading producers of wind generated electricity Denmark’s wind power produces approximately 20% of the country's electricity consumption

Wind speed increases with altitude and over open areas with no windbreaks

Good sites for wind plants are the tops of smooth, rounded hills, open plains or shorelines, and mountain gaps that produce wind funneling

Germany and the United States are the two leading producers of wind generated electricity

Denmark’s wind power produces approximately 20% of the country's electricity consumption

Utility Scale Wind Power – September 2008

Most Wind Power 2008

Fastest Growing Technology In 2008, Europe installed 20 new turbines every day 14.1 Became the leading technology in Europe -- more wind power was installed in the EU in 2008 than any other electricity generating technology

In 2008, Europe installed 20 new turbines every day 14.1

Became the leading technology in Europe -- more wind power was installed in the EU in 2008 than any other electricity generating technology

Offshore Wind Farms 2008 Transporting large wind turbine components (tower sections, nacelles, and blades) is much easier over water than on land Construction and maintenance costs per wind turbine are higher for offshore wind farms Europe leads the world in offshore wind power, due to strong wind resources and shallow water in the North Sea and Baltic Sea Denmark installed the first offshore wind farms, and for years was the world leader in offshore wind power The United Kingdom took the lead in 2008 with 590 megawatts of installed Population centers along coastlines in many parts of the world are close to offshore wind resources for reduced transmission costs Holland’s 120MW Princess Amalia offshore wind farm features Cost was €383 million

Transporting large wind turbine components (tower sections, nacelles, and blades) is much easier over water than on land

Construction and maintenance costs per wind turbine are higher for offshore wind farms

Europe leads the world in offshore wind power, due to strong wind resources and shallow water in the North Sea and Baltic Sea

Denmark installed the first offshore wind farms, and for years was the world leader in offshore wind power

The United Kingdom took the lead in 2008 with 590 megawatts of installed

Population centers along coastlines in many parts of the world are close to offshore wind resources for reduced transmission costs

Holland’s 120MW Princess Amalia offshore wind farm features

Cost was €383 million

Consistency Wind energy comes in short bursts In one study, half of the energy available arrived in just 15% of the operating time 11.1 Wind energy is not as consistent as output from fuel-fired power plants Thus, wind power is better as a fuel saver than as a capacity saver When the wind doesn’t blow, other types of power plants must be used to fill in and make electricity Stronger inter-regional transmission lines and more hydro storage would help with these consistency problems

Wind energy comes in short bursts

In one study, half of the energy available arrived in just 15% of the operating time 11.1

Wind energy is not as consistent as output from fuel-fired power plants

Thus, wind power is better as a fuel saver than as a capacity saver

When the wind doesn’t blow, other types of power plants must be used to fill in and make electricity

Stronger inter-regional transmission lines and more hydro storage would help with these consistency problems

Solar and Wind Synergy In areas where demand for electricity is higher in winter than in summer, wind and solar are complementary High pressure areas tend to bring clear skies and low surface winds Low pressure areas tend to be windier and cloudier Solar energy typically peaks in summer, but often wind energy is lower in summer and higher in winter The intermittencies of wind and solar power can somewhat offset each other

In areas where demand for electricity is higher in winter than in summer, wind and solar are complementary

High pressure areas tend to bring clear skies and low surface winds

Low pressure areas tend to be windier and cloudier

Solar energy typically peaks in summer, but often wind energy is lower in summer and higher in winter

The intermittencies of wind and solar power can somewhat offset each other

Small Scale Wind Power Generation systems with the capacity to produce 50 KWor less of electricity Used in isolated communities that might otherwise rely on diesel generators U.S. consumers are purchasing grid-connected turbines in the 1 to 10 kilowatt range to power their homes make electricity Controversial application because many do not offset the carbon cost of their manufacture A good small 5 foot diameter wind turbine blade will likely produce about 30 Watts in a 10 mph wind

Generation systems with the capacity to produce 50 KWor less of electricity

Used in isolated communities that might otherwise rely on diesel generators

U.S. consumers are purchasing grid-connected turbines in the 1 to 10 kilowatt range to power their homes make electricity

Controversial application because many do not offset the carbon cost of their manufacture

A good small 5 foot diameter wind turbine blade will likely produce about 30 Watts in a 10 mph wind

Problems with Small Scale Wind Turbines need clean non-turbulent fuel: that’s seldom on the ground or on a roof The most cost-effective arrangement is getting the wind turbine 30 feet above anything within 300 feet The cost of the tower is much greater than the cost of the turbine

Turbines need clean non-turbulent fuel: that’s seldom on the ground or on a roof

The most cost-effective arrangement is getting the wind turbine 30 feet above anything within 300 feet

The cost of the tower is much greater than the cost of the turbine

Current U.S. Energy Consumption

The Problem with Wind Wind comes and goes – when it goes, blackouts

Wind comes and goes – when it goes, blackouts

End Notes 3.1 Backyard Energy , website, www.backyardenergy.com , March 13, 2009 BACK 4.1 “ Global Wind Power Capacity Up,” Rueters, May 8, 2009 BACK 5.1 Sarah Arnott, “ Green light for the world's biggest offshore wind farm,” The Independent, May 13, 2009 BACK 14.1 Website, www.yellowsandblues.com , February 3, 2009 BACK

3.1 Backyard Energy , website, www.backyardenergy.com , March 13,

2009 BACK

4.1 “ Global Wind Power Capacity Up,” Rueters, May 8, 2009 BACK

5.1 Sarah Arnott, “ Green light for the world's biggest offshore wind farm,” The Independent, May 13, 2009 BACK

14.1 Website, www.yellowsandblues.com , February 3, 2009 BACK

The Problem with Wind Sometimes,– otherwise, blackouts

Sometimes,– otherwise, blackouts

The Problem with Wind ..

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