Wind Turbine and Electricity Production

1104
Nakamol Sansuktaweesub (Gain) 5961219
Kanyaorn Ruetaijetjaroen (Mimi) 5961221
Archaree Charoenpanitch (Aye) 5961224
Nitchanan Thapthim (Jean) 5961024
Kanakarn Thaveeptawornvong (Wawa) 5691115
Abstract:
The study is conducted on energy in human’s daily life in which wind energy and
electromagnetic energy are selected to be studied. A windmill is constructed to see how wind
energy can create electricity into the light bulb.
Introduction:
Energy is a mover of substance, and can be transferred or transformed. The definition of
energy is the capacity to do work. The conservation of energy plays a significant role in nature.
Energy is always carried by a substance that causes motion ​(O'Connell, 2016)​. Energy has
many forms that can be absorbed in nature such as heat energy and wind energy. Heat energy
is a form of energy in which can occur by collision of particles inside the smallest unit of matter,
an atom. Heat energy can be transferred by convection(through gases and liquids),
conduction(in solids) and radiation(in infrared waves) ​(Science Learning Hub, 2018)​. Wind
energy is a renewable source. Wind is created by the moving air by the difference in
temperature or by heat of water and land that can absorb heat at a different rate. Wind energy
can be applied in the production of renewable electricity and batteries. This can be seen in the
form of wind turbines. According to ​NREL(2018)​, “Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on
a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more above ground, they can
take advantage of the faster and less turbulent wind.” The energy in the wind turns blades
around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft. The main shaft will spin and make
electricity ​(ENERGY.GOV RESOURCE, 2018)​. Electricity is a flow of electrons or as known as
an electrical current. In order to create electricity, there are 3 ways to perform. Firstly, electricity
can be created through electromagnetic conversion. Secondly, electricity can also be made by
chemical reaction in terms of batteries and fuel cells. Finally, solid-state conversion creates
electricity as well ​(Brett, n.d.)​.
In accordance with this project, the foil sheet on the wind turbine plate represent the heat
energy absorber. The turbine is made of bronze for the electricity to be made by the rotating of
the plate. Motor converts wind into electricity that results in the lighting of the light bulb.
The purpose of this project is to create a project applying knowledge in the lessons
taught in class. Manifestations of energy were introduced in class, and also the conservation
law of energy.
Material:
1. PVC pipe

2. Solder gun

3. DC Motor
4. Alloy string (Tin/Lead 2m)

5. Small light bulb

6. Wire (5 metre)
 7. Metal sheet

8. Cutter

Procedure:
1. The metal sheet is cut into circular shape and pronged
2. The DC motor spindle is connected to the metal sheet by smelting lead

3. The DC motor is connected to the wire by soldering

4. The segments of pipes are constructed and connected in order to protect the wire. The
pipes are used to make the base of the windmill
5. Run the wire along the pipe until it comes out of the pipe

6. Connect the wire’s copper coil with the legs of the light bulb

7. Bring the windmill to a windy place and let it run

8. The electricity is made

Results:
- Our final model can create a little amount of electricity as can be seen in the beaming
light bulbs.
Data Analysis:
- Example of windmill farms in the world
- How much electricity can they make?
The amount of the electricity that the wind turbine make depends on the size of the
turbine and the speed of the wind that pass through the airfoil. Now, the wind turbine produces
in the rate of 250 watts to 6 megawatts (MW).
Just because a wind turbine has a capacity rating of 1.5 megawatts, that doesn't mean it
will produce that much power in practice. Wind turbines commonly produce considerably less
than rated capacity, which is the maximum amount of power it could produce if it ran all the time.
For example, a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine with an efficiency factor of 33 percent may produce
only half a megawatt in a year -- less if the wind isn't blowing reliably. Industrial scale turbines
usually have capacity ratings of 2 to 3 megawatts. However, the amount of energy actually
produced is reduced by efficiency and wind availability -- the percentage of time a unit has
enough wind to move​(Lee, 2018)​.
- Locations
The windmill takes up less than 1% of the land area. We can do farming and tourism
around them too. Most of the community use small scales of wind turbine to generate their own
electricity which they usually put it on the roofs or in the back gardens. The location should be
windy. Wind speed required: 4-20 m/s.
To prevent mechanical damage, when wind speeds reach about 55 miles per hour (88.5
kilometers per hour), most turbines will automatically shut down​(Lee, 2018)​.

References:
- Science Learning Hub. (2018). ​Article: Heat Energy​. Retrieved from
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/750-heat-energy
- O'Connell, C. (2016). ​What is energy?​. Retrieved from
https://cosmosmagazine.com/physics/what-is-energy
- Wind Energy Foundation. (2016). ​WHAT IS WIND ENERGY?​. Retrieved from
http://windenergyfoundation.org/what-is-wind-energy/
- NREL. (2018). ​Wind Energy Basics​. Retrieved from
https://www.nrel.gov/workingwithus/re-wind.html
- ENERGY.GOV RESOURCE. (2018). ​How Do Wind Turbines Work?​. Retrieved from
https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work
- Brett, D. (n.d.). ​Electricity​. Retrieved from
https://www.studentenergy.org/topics/electricity
- Lee, K. (2018). ​How Much Power Does a Wind Turbine Generate?​. Retrieved from
https://sciencing.com/much-power-wind-turbine-generate-6917667.html