Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

Wind Power

Abdulaziz July 15, 2020
  • high power, geared transmissions were developed centuries ago by windmill designers
  • Dependent on wind speed & direction
    • Too little force no power
    • Too much force damage to infrastructure
wind power closeup
wind power closeup
California Wind Power Plant
California Wind Power Plant
  • Blades on turbine turn as wind blows
  • Rotates shaft connected to generator
  • Spinning magnets of generator convert rotational energy into electricity
Windmills for electric power production
Windmills for electric power production
  • Minimum wind speed: 10-15km/h
  • Turbine cut out: 90km/h
  • Turbine performance is exponential
    • Wind speeds of 30km/h 8x more productive than winds of 15km/h
  • Two main categories
    • Onshore & Offshore
    • Offshore advantages more wind
    • Offshore disadvantages higher costs
  • Efficiency 20-50% for modern turbines