Geography
Wind Power
Wind power refers to the use of wind turbines to generate electricity. It is a renewable energy source that harnesses the kinetic energy of the wind to produce clean electricity. Wind power is a key component of sustainable energy strategies and is increasingly being utilized as a means to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change.
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11 Key excerpts on "Wind Power"
eBook - PDF- Joseph P. Stoltman(Author)
- 2011(Publication Date)
- SAGE Publications, Inc(Publisher)
41 WIND, GEOGRAPHY, AND ENERGY STEPHEN STADLER Oklahoma State University I t is all about geography ... The wind is ephemeral and quite inconsistent over our planet. Increasingly, wind has been used as an economical source of electrical power. The wind industry has grown impressively in recent times, and there is much geography involved. Physically, we need to understand what sort of wind exists, and where and why it is geographically variable over vari- ous scales of space and time. Culturally, the location of population centers, level of use of electricity, and even the population's receptiveness to wind generation technology are strongly connected to the use of Wind Power. Physical and cultural geography together playa large role in the development of the wind resource, and geographers have relevant experience in holistically viewing the human con- nections with the natural environment. It is, therefore, not remarkable that geographers have become involved with Wind Power development. There is a complicated and sub- lime mix of physical and human geography to be accounted for to understand wind and its use as an electrical power generation source. Wind History Human use of the wind is very old compared to the use of the resource for the generation of electricity. From time immemorial, wind has been introduced into and excluded from dwellings to manipulate microclimatic comfort. One has only to compare traditional dwellings built on stilts in the wet tropics (promoting cooling air flow beneath the structure) to entrances to igloos (multiple chambers to negate air flow into the structure and promote warmth) to appreciate that our ancestors were clever in their manipu- lations of their physical environments. The translation of kinetic energy from wind to power human activities is at least 5 millennia old as evidenced by primitive sailboats found in Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Persians had started to build vertical axis windmills by the 5th century BeE.
No longer available |Learn more- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Academic Studio(Publisher)
____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Chapter 3 Wind Power A modern wind turbine in rural scenery. Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of worldwide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration (with large governmental subsidies), such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies increasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact and other effects on the environment. Wind Power is non-dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation, all of the available output must be taken when it is available. Other resources, such as hydropower, and load management techniques must be used to match supply with demand.
No longer available |Learn more- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Library Press(Publisher)
____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Chapter- 4 Wind Power A wind turbine Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of world-wide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration (with large governmental subsidies), such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies in-creasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact and other effects on the environment. Wind Power is non-dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation, all of the available output must be taken when it is available. Other resources, such as hydropower, and load management techniques must be used to match supply with demand.
No longer available |Learn moreWind
Important Weather Phenomenon (Concepts, Types & Applications)
- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Library Press(Publisher)
____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Chapter- 2 Wind Power A modern wind turbine in rural scenery ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Wind Power: worldwide installed capacity 1996-2008 Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of worldwide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration, such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies increasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact but any effects on the environment are generally among the least problematic of any power source. The intermittency of wind seldom creates problems when using Wind Power to supply a low proportion of total demand, but as the proportion rises, increased costs, a need to upgrade the grid, and a lowered ability to supplant conventional production may occur.
No longer available |Learn more- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Academic Studio(Publisher)
____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Chapter- 4 Wind Power A wind turbine Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of worldwide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration (with large governmental subsidies), such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies incre-asingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact and other effects on the environment. Wind Power is non-dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation, all of the available output must be taken when it is available. Other resources, such as hydropower, and load management techniques must be used to match supply with demand.
No longer available |Learn moreSnow & Wind
Important Weather Phenomenons (Concepts, Types & Applications)
- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Academic Studio(Publisher)
________________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ________________________ Chapter- 8 Wind Power A modern wind turbine in rural scenery ________________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ________________________ Wind Power: worldwide installed capacity 1996-2008 Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of world-wide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration, such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies inc-reasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact but any effects on the environment are generally among the least problematic of any power source. The intermittency of wind seldom creates problems when using Wind Power to supply a low proportion of total demand, but as the proportion rises, increased costs, a need to upgrade the grid, and a lowered ability to supplant conventional production may occur.
eBook - PDF- John R Fanchi(Author)
- 2010(Publication Date)
- World Scientific(Publisher)
148 CHAPTER 7 RENEWABLE ENERGY – WIND ENERGY The kinetic energy of wind and flowing water are indirect forms of so-lar energy and are considered renewable. Wind energy technology relies on gradients in physical properties such as atmospheric pressure to gen-erate electrical power. Wind turbines harness wind energy and convert the mechanical energy of a rotating blade into electrical energy in a gene-rator. The objective of this chapter is to discuss the use of wind as a source of energy for generating useful power. We begin by reviewing the history of Wind Power. 7.1 H ISTORY OF W IND P OWER Wind has been used as an energy source for thousands of years. Histori-cal applications include sails for ship propulsion and windmills for grinding grain and pumping water. Wind is still used today as a source of power for sailing vessels and parasailing. The earliest known applications of wind as an energy source come from Persia [Manwell, et al., 2002]. Around 900 A.D., wind was used to drive early vertical axis windmills. Modern wind turbines are classified as either horizontal axis turbines or vertical axis turbines. A vertical axis tur-bine has blades that rotate around a vertical axis and its visual appearance has been likened to an eggbeater. A horizontal axis turbine has blades that rotate around a horizontal axis (see Figure 7-1). Horizon-tal axis turbines are the most common turbines in use today. Early vertical axis windmills had a simple design and were particularly susceptible to damage in high winds. The f technolog Ages. Ho such as p windmills Figure 7 -Wind turies prio energy so not alway energy m and wher as a com tent, wate be moved use in co R Figu first known gy seen pre orizontal axi pumping wa s typically h -2. power was or to the Ind ource lost f ys available mix because re it was mo mbustible fue er also over d through w ontainers su R enewable ure 7 -1.
No longer available |Learn more- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Academic Studio(Publisher)
____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Chapter- 7 Wind Power (Second-generation technology) Wind Power: worldwide installed capacity 1996-2008 ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm, at the entrance to the River Mersey in North West England. ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ A modern wind turbine in rural scenery. Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of worldwide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration (with large governmental subsidies), such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies increasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact and other effects on the environment. Wind Power is non-dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation, all of the available output must be taken when it is available. Other resources, such as hydropower, and load management techniques must be used to match supply with demand. The
No longer available |Learn more- (Author)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Academic Studio(Publisher)
WT ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Chapter- 8 Introduction to Wind Power Wind Power: worldwide installed capacity 1996-2008 WT ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm, at the entrance to the River Mersey in North West England. WT ____________________ WORLD TECHNOLOGIES ____________________ A modern wind turbine in rural scenery. Wind Power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form of energy, such as using wind turbines to make electricity, wind mills for mechanical power, wind pumps for pumping water or drainage, or sails to propel ships. At the end of 2009, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 159.2 gigawatts (GW). Energy production was 340 TWh, which is about 2% of worldwide electricity usage; and has doubled in the past three years. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of Wind Power penetration (with large governmental subsidies), such as 20% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 14% in Ireland and Portugal, 11% in Spain, and 8% in Germany in 2009. As of May 2009, 80 countries around the world are using Wind Power on a commercial basis. Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; smaller facilities are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies increasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions during operation. However, the construction of wind farms is not universally welcomed because of their visual impact and other effects on the environment. Wind Power is non-dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation, all of the available output must be taken when it is available. Other resources, such as hydropower, and load management techniques must be used to match supply with demand. The
eBook - PDFApplied Energy
An Introduction
- Mohammad Omar Abdullah(Author)
- 2012(Publication Date)
- CRC Press(Publisher)
8 Hydro, Wind, and Geothermal Energy In this chapter, we will cover matters relating to energy applications that can be harnessed from three of the Earth’s resources: • Water (usually called hydro energy) • Air (Wind energy) • Earth (geothermal energy) 8.1 Hydro Energy Water energy from streams, rivers, and waterfalls can all be harnessed by the most traditional energy generator, the “hydropower turbine,” to produce clean electrical energy for our applications. 8.1.1 Introduction to Hydro Energy The hydro energy application is the most successful type of alternative energy usage to date, in terms of total energy production and applications. Worldwide, hydro power plants provide around 15% of the total power of the world (see, e.g., [18]), and the total hydro potential of our World is about 5,000 GW. It is expected that worldwide energy demand will increase by about 30% between 2010 and 2030, with hydro and other renewables having the highest growth rates [18]; [20]. The power developed from a hydro-electric power plant can be approximately calculated as, P ower = w × Q × h × η overall (8.1) where Power = watts; w = weight density of water, N/m 3 ( w = ρg = 1000 × 9 . 81 = around 9810 N / m 3 ); Q = water volumetric flow rate, m 3 /sec; h = height of waterfall or “head”; η overall = overall conversion efficiency. Example 8.1 A local SME manufacturing company considers designing and setting up a micro-hydro power system for an electrical power enterprise. The water source is from the waste condenser water from a power plant, delivered at a constant rate. The water turbine average efficiency is 75%. (a) What is the expected power drawn from the system in kW from a water height of 2 m and volume flow rate of 3 m 3 /sec ? (b) What is the possible energy saving per year, if the management decided to change to a new turbine of the same capacity but with higher efficiency of 82%? (assume operating hours = 3,920 hours/year).
eBook - PDFWind Power in Europe
Politics, Business and Society
- J. Szarka(Author)
- 2007(Publication Date)
- Palgrave Macmillan(Publisher)
1 Contextualising the Wind Power Debate Introduction Wind Power has become an emblematic topic in debates on energy sourc- ing, climate change and sustainable development. The three-bladed 'Danish concept' of wind turbine has come to represent innovative and sustainable energy sourcing. It has become a symbol of hope and an affirmation of belief in a cleaner future. However, Wind Power's status as a green icon can obscure its material reality. Wind farms have impacts on the countryside, on rural communities, on grid management and con- figuration, and on the electricity industry. Wind turbines are the largest structures to be found in the rural landscape, and each generation grows larger. A 2.5 MW turbine has a 60 metre diameter rotor placed on a 100 metre tower, producing a total height from ground to blade tip of some 130 metres. In comparison, the major architectural reference point of the village church spire is dwarfed. In addition, the blades of the wind turbine move, and the human eye is attracted to any movement. The steady, symmetrical rotation of turbine blades is unique. The combina- tion of size and movement produces a major visual impact, whilst the infrastructure required to build, cable and grid connect a wind farm has a significant landscape impact. Reactions to these impacts vary enor- mously. Compare for example Jonathan Porritt's description of wind tur- bines as 'objects of compelling beauty' with Bernard Ingham's statement that 'steel bog brushes in the sky (... ) are not sustainable'. 1 Differences of view can quickly turn into controversy and lead to polarisation. As Mark Jaccard pointed out, the energy sector is rife with hotly contested opinions: People tend to feel passionate when it comes to energy; they often fit into camps that are dead against nuclear or fanatical about 2 Wind Power in Europe renewables or suspicious of energy efficiency or faithful to fossil fuels.
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