Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Large scale wind turbines use the kinetic energy of winds to spin a shaft which is connected to a generator that produces electricity. Many sizes and types exists, however, for the scope of this post I will only detail the large turbines that are used in wind farms. Wind energy has the following advantages: it is clean and renewable, produced in the US, will stimulate economy especially in rural areas because farmers can still use their land, turbines take up little space, and the cost of turbines and energy produced by them are falling. However, their are still disadvantages: the cost of the energy depends on the location (high wind locations best), the best wind sites (Midwest) are far from big cities, some complain of "noise pollution" (loud), and wind turbines kill a large amount of birds (due to collision). Going slightly off topic, wind turbines that kill birds should not be used as a reason for its discontinued usage. Besides, birds die constantly from flying into buildings, homes, being hit by cars, and shocked by electrical wires. This website is good if you want to know more about birds and turbines.
Currently the US leads the world in wind energy production, with 5,244 MW in 2007. The largest turbines in US can each produce 3MW of power. A major report by the US Department of Energy states that 20% of energy can come from wind by 2030 if the number of turbines increases, adding better transmission lines from turbines to sources where the power is needed, and others. The department believes that wind energy can come down to 0.5 cents per kW/h. However there are challenges (availability of raw materials). I believe wind energy can be a viable energy source if the cost of production is low and they are in good locations for capturing wind energy.
The following details the size of turbines:
4 comments:
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Kevin,
If you look at my blog post on renewable energy, you will find that in addition to birds, bats are also dying at wind farms, which is quite unusual for any other structures. Would this disadvantage hinder the progress of wind power? Also, are older wind farms more responsible for "noise pollution"?
Tommy -
i get no sleep,
for mass-scale usage, the energy is usually stored in batteries. For small-scale turbines (homes), the energy can be used right away.
tommy,
I read your post and it was very informative. I realize bats are also being colliding with the blades; I don't think this will hinder its dvpt bc birds are killed much more frequently because "man's developments" (buildings, cars, etc) -
Interesting post, Kevin. My grandmother lives out on the plains and when the wind farm was developed about 20 miles from nowhere it became a major tourist site (let's go look at the wind turbines!). Having driven out there several times, I am amazed by their enormity every time.
I do think the bird issue is more serious than you're suggesting. For example, Kansas is on a major flyway for ducks, geese, eagles, and others. Hundreds of thousands of birds fly back and forth to South America across Kansas, with 10s of thousands resting on lakes, wetlands, at a time. Kansas, as you might imagine, is a natural for windfarms, but those farms can't be near the major flyway.
I'm a big fan of birds.
Kevin,
The wind turbines seem like a great way of getting energy. Especially since there is the prospect of the energy only costing 0.5 cents per kilowatt per hour. wow. I just had one question. Is there any way that wind power can be stored? or say used for later or does it have to be immediately used when it is produced?
Thanks,
Robert lapp