Wind Turbines

By: Korbyn Hackney & Axel Nava

What is it and why should we use it?

Wind turbines harness the wind's kinetic energy and converts it into
electricity.
Wind energy is a clean, renewable form of energy that pumps billions of
dollars into our economy every year.
Since 2008, the U.S. wind industry has generated more than $100 billion
in private investment.
Wind energy can be harnessed even in drought prone areas.
Zero greenhouse gas emissions or pollutants.
Finally, the wind industry employs 73,000 people across construction,
development, engineering, and operations.

How Does it Work?

Blades
Pitch system
low speed system
Brake
Gear box
Yaw drive/ Motor
Generator
Controller
Anemometer
Wind Vane

http://energy.gov/eere/wind/how-does-wind-turbine-work

How does it get to you?

Areas called wind farms are groups of multiple wind turbines that
harness energy.
These turbines are connected so the electricity can travel from the wind
farm to a power grid.
Once wind energy is on the main power grid, power operators will deliver
the electricity where it is needed.
Smaller lines called distribution lines transport to larger "network"
transmission lines.
From there, the electricity can travel across long distances to the locations
where it is needed.

Different Types of wind

Utility Scale Wind- turbines larger than 100 kilowatts.
Electricity delivered to grid and distributed to end user.
Distributed Wind- Directly powering home. 100
kilowatts or less.
Offshore Wind- Wind Farms located within ocean.

Fun Facts

The United States generates more wind energy than any other country
except China, and
Wind has accounted for more than a third of all newly installed U.S.
electricity generation capacity since 2007.
Todays wind turbines are much more complicated machines than the
traditional prairie windmill. A wind turbine has as many as 8,000 different
components.
Wind turbines can be as high as 20 story buildings and have three blades
which can be up to 60 meters long.

Works Cited

"Wind 101: The Basics of Wind Energy." Wind 101: The Basics of Wind
Energy. Web. 18 Aug. 2015.

"How Does a Wind Turbine Work?" How Does a Wind Turbine Work?
Web. 18 Aug. 2015. <http://energy.gov/eere/wind/how-does-windturbine-work>.