1. Introduction to Energy
What is energy?
Energy is something that everyone and thing needs. It has the
capability of making objects and living things working and fully
operating at all times. As you know energy can be generated and
produced in many different ways. There are 3 subcategories' that
energy is divided into...
Non Renewable
Renewable
Nuclear
You might be thinking why Nuclear has its own category it can be either
non renewable or renewable, it depends how people use and dispose of
it. If nuclear waste is disposed incorrectly it may be harmful to the
environment and also to our health.
How is Nuclear energy produced?
First of all what exactly is Nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is produced from the splitting of uranium or plutonium
atom. This is called fission; it is used to produce heat which allows the
turbine inside the power plant to produce electricity. The heat which
was made in this process alone was not the reason the electricity was
made but the steam it produce spun the turbine.
Fission is not the only way nuclear energy is made, another way is called
fusion. Fusion is a way of combining two atoms(Nuclei) together. To
make use of fission the temperatures must be at its highest. By highest I
mean above a million degrees. For example it has to be equivalent to
the temperature of the sun.
2. Non Renewable
What is Non Renewable energy?
Non Renewable energy is energy harnessed from fossil fuels. Fossil Fuels
come in different forms. Which are...
Coal
Oil
Natural Gas
Fossil fuels are known to be mostly made up of carbon. It takes a long
period of time for fossil fuels to form which is at least 300 million years.
How are Fossil Fuels formed?
Fossil fuels were formed from prehistoric plants and animals that once
roamed the earth. Once these ancient organisms decrease they
decompress into the ground under tons of mud, rock and sand.
Soon more and more rocks and mud bury the decreased organisms
which millions of years later forms into the main source of energy we
use today. As you know we use it for many different purposes like
transportation; heat our homes and cook our food.
The more Non Renewable energy we use the more we emit carbon into
the atmosphere, which will eventually damage the ozone layer of the
earth; which will then lead up to severe problems like Climate change.
Climate change will have a strong impact on the weather patterns and
change the climate (temperature) around the globe.
3. Renewable
What is Renewable energy?
Renewable energy is generated from sources that can be reused
and will never run out until the end of time. The different sources
renewable energy can be harnessed from are...
Wind power
Solar
Geothermal
Hydro
Tidal
Wave
Biomass
Renewable energy is growing rapidly throughout the world. The
leading country that uses and produces energy from renewable
sources is Germany. Germany's use of renewable generation has
increased over the past decade(10 Years). They generate up to
40.2 billion kilowatts per hour and it's purely produced from a
wide range of renewable sources.
Wind
Biomass
Hydro
Photovoltic (Solar)
Bio M.S.W
The country is aiming to power themselves entirely by renewable
sources by 2050. If we all start following Germany's footprints imagine
how clean and beautiful our world would be!
4. Wind Energy
Background
Wind power is generated from the movement of the wind. The
device that is used to harness and produce energy is called a wind
turbine. A wind turbine converts kinetic energy from the wind into
electricity that we use in our daily lives.
Wind Turbines have been around since 200BC, people back then
used it for many different things in many different places. In China
windmills were used to pump up water; in the Middle East and
some other parts of the globe used windmills to grind grains. Not
only that but the American Colonist used windmills to cut wood at
sawmills.
5. Wind Energy
Parts of A Wind Turbine.
There are a few parts that make up a Wind turbine. Each part plays its
own part to generate energy. These parts are...
Blades
The blade is one of the main parts to a turbine. It is designed to rotate
when the force of the wind pushes against it. Once the blade spins it
rotates the rotor.
Shaft
The shaft comes in two different forms: high speed and low speed. One
is used to activate the generator (high speed) and the other is a low
speed shaft which is fix with the gearbox.
Gearbox
The gearbox connects the high speed shaft with the low speed and
together it spins at from 30-60 rpm to at least 1,000-1,800 rpm.
Gearboxes are costly and a very heavy part of the turbine. Now
engineers are trying to design a turbine which doesn't use a gearbox
and is trying to design a new alternative to use instead.
Generator
A generator is used to generate the energy from the turbines. It
converts the movement from the blades into electricity.
Anemometer
An Anemometer is used to measure the speed of the wind and it
transmits the data back to the controller.
Brake
The brake is used in emergencies or accidents. It stops the motor
mechanically or electrically.
6. Tower
Is made from concrete or steel, the purpose of the tower is so that it
supports the structure above.
Nacelle
It contains the gearbox ,both the shafts ,generators, controller and
brakes. Sometime the Nacelle is even big enough for a helicopter to
land on.
Wind Energy
Design and Arctecture
The design of a wind turbine is very simple. It is designed to
convert the motion of the wind into electricity. To do that many
engineers have spent a long time perfecting a design for turbines
in use today.
The two designs that are currently in use is called the Vertical axis
turbine and the horizontal axis turbine.
Horizontal Axis
Another common name you might know this design as is the
classic modern 3 blade turbine. The theory behind this is that the
angled blades in each of the 3 blades don't need as much force for
it to move so therefore it is more efficient and reliable for us. Not
only that but it is said that 3 blades work the best with the speed
profile of the wind.
7. Vertical Axis
The vertical axis is engineered to generate energy from a vertical
position. Recently China has developed and installed 8 vertical
axis turbines. Here below is a images of a vertical axis turbine.
Areas
Wind turbines are built in places that are windy and has a current
flow of constent wind. Some areas wind turbines are suitable to
be installed are near coasts, offshore, hills or windy gorges and
valleys.
8. The placement of each turbine and the area of installation is also
very critical. If the turbines are placed to close together they may
block the certain direction of the wind. To help engineers know
where to place each of the individuale turbines they use
computer monitors to work out the best positions.
Offshore
In Copenhagen Harbour which is located in a European counrty
called Denmark. It is north of Germany and is bordered by
Sweden, Norway and Poland. In the waters of Coperhagen
harbour stands 20 offshore turbines which are sited in 3.5 metres
deep water. Each generator is said to be at least 38.8 metres. This
spectactular place is called Middelgruden offshore wind farm.
Middelgruden was just recently built and now is generating
enough power for 3% of the city Coperhagen to use.
9. Advantages Impacts
Wind is a free source
of energy and can be
harnessed effieciently.
Wildlife and habitats
Most people find wind
turbines fasinnating
and interesting to see.
Land Usage
They can make use of
remote areas which
may come to use.
Noise Pollution
Statistical Investigation
For my statistical investigation I have done a graph on electricity
usage around the year. The Problem that I have found was that
people are using a lot of electricity; and the purpose is that I want
to find out where the cost has increased the most and where it
has decreased. Some other questions are how much does each
kilowatt cost? When is the unit rate the most expensive?
So below here is a graph that sums up this investigation.
10. Statements
Wind usage over the whole world has increased rapidly over the past
years.
More electricity is generated as time passes.
In 1997 I predict that Wind turbines were not so popular.
Conclusion
Now you have completed reading the complete report on energy
and wind power. I now hope as responsible energy users we will
together take action to conserve and maintain the amount of
energy we use in our daily lives. So now take the information you
11. have now learnt and share it with your friends and family so the
that the people around you will and starting taking action with
you, and together as a team we will work to making our planet
and future sustainable and healthy.
References
Websites:
energy.gov
wikipedia.com