Capturing the Wind
How is Wind energy converted to electricity?
Level 13-Guiding Question-Why should we be studying this? How is the wind related to the Sun's Energy?
Energy from the Sun also creates wind, which can be used as wind power. The Sun heats different locations on Earth by different amounts. Air that becomes warm rises and then sucks cooler air into that spot. The movement of air from one spot to another along the ground creates wind. Since wind is moving, it has kinetic energy.
Wind power is the fastest growing renewable energy source in the world. Windmills are now seen in many locations, either individually or, more commonly, in large fields."Wind Powering America" follows the development of wind power in the United States over the past several years. Wind Power Use Wind is the source of energy for wind power. Wind has been used for power for centuries. For example, windmills were used to grind grain and pump water. Sailing ships traveled by wind power long before ships were powered by fossil fuels. Wind can be used to generate electricity, as the moving air spins a turbine to create electricity.
Consequences of Wind Power
Wind power has many advantages. It does not burn, so it does not release pollution or carbon dioxide. Also, wind is plentiful in many places. Wind, however, does not blow all of the time, even though power is needed all of the time. Just as with solar power, engineers are working on technologies that can store wind power for later use. Windmills are expensive and wear out quickly. A lot of windmills are needed to power a region, so nearby residents may complain about the loss of a nice view if a wind farm is built. Coastlines typically receive a lot of wind, but wind farms built near beaches may cause unhappiness for local residents and tourists. California was an early adopter of wind power. Windmills are found in mountain passes, where the cooler Pacific Ocean air is sucked through on its way to warmer inland valleys. Large fields of windmills can be seen at Altamont Pass in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area, San Gorgonio Pass east of Los Angeles, and Tehachapi Pass at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley.
Wind power is the fastest growing renewable energy source in the world. Windmills are now seen in many locations, either individually or, more commonly, in large fields."Wind Powering America" follows the development of wind power in the United States over the past several years. Wind Power Use Wind is the source of energy for wind power. Wind has been used for power for centuries. For example, windmills were used to grind grain and pump water. Sailing ships traveled by wind power long before ships were powered by fossil fuels. Wind can be used to generate electricity, as the moving air spins a turbine to create electricity.
Consequences of Wind Power
Wind power has many advantages. It does not burn, so it does not release pollution or carbon dioxide. Also, wind is plentiful in many places. Wind, however, does not blow all of the time, even though power is needed all of the time. Just as with solar power, engineers are working on technologies that can store wind power for later use. Windmills are expensive and wear out quickly. A lot of windmills are needed to power a region, so nearby residents may complain about the loss of a nice view if a wind farm is built. Coastlines typically receive a lot of wind, but wind farms built near beaches may cause unhappiness for local residents and tourists. California was an early adopter of wind power. Windmills are found in mountain passes, where the cooler Pacific Ocean air is sucked through on its way to warmer inland valleys. Large fields of windmills can be seen at Altamont Pass in the eastern San Francisco Bay Area, San Gorgonio Pass east of Los Angeles, and Tehachapi Pass at the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley.
Blog Alert: How does wind power relate to the Sun's energy? |
Summary
- Wind contains energy, which can move a turbine and generate electricity.
- Wind power is clean and does not release greenhouse gases, but some people complain about the spread of windmills across certain locations.
- Wind has been used as a local energy source for centuries and is now being scaled up for use regionally.
Level 13-Guiding Question : Wind turbine design (be patient the movie has a 10 second delay.)
After reading the above chapter and please complete the media guide below. achievement points 10
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20 achievement points for completion of "How a Wind Turbine works!"
Level 13-Investigation - The effect of blade length on voltage output?
Lab instructions for Blade length is in the data loggers or you can view the directions on your device. Click on the images to enlarge them!
Lab Analysis for Blade Length lab
20 achievement points for completion of Lab Analysis
Lab instructions for the number of blades is in the data loggers or you can view the directions on your device. Click on the images to enlarge them!
Lab Analysis for How the number of blades affect voltage output
20 achievement points for completion of Lab Analysis
Level 13-Video- Wind Turbine parts and how it makes electricity
Level 13-Video - How to assemble the nosepiece for the blade length lab
This video shows how to construct the correct nosepieces for the lab on blade length impact on electricity generation.
Level 13- Elaborate: Video your results and explain what you have learned about blade length or the number blades.
Level 13 - Review: Sample problems on Swept Area
Level 13 - Summary: Tour a Bio-digestor and the Yolo County Landfill.
20 achievement points for completion of Field Trip