Wind Energy

1. Wind Energy

4. http://www.business.mt.gov/docs/Wind.pdf

5. http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/images/windmaps/mt_50m_800.jpghttp://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/images/windmaps/mt_50m_800.jpg

6. Wind Power • Wind is a form of solar energy. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth's surface, and rotation of the earth. Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth's terrain, bodies of water, and vegetation. Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes: sailing, flying a kite, and even generating electricity. • Using the wind to create electricity has been around for a long time - you've probably seen windmills on farms. When the wind turns the blades of a windmill, it spins a turbine inside a small generator to produce electricity, just like a big coal power plant. • A windmill on a farm can make only a small amount of electricity - enough to power a few farm machines. To make enough electricity to serve lots of people, power companies build "wind farms" with dozens of huge wind turbines. • Wind farms are built in flat, open areas where the wind blows at least 14 miles per hour. Montana has nearly 100 small wind installations around the state, Click on the following to view examples of wind energy in Montana. • http://www.browningmontana.com/wind.html • http://www.dnrc.mt.gov/trust/wind/judith_gap.asp

7. How Wind Turbines Work • The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity. • So how do wind turbines make electricity? Simply stated, a wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity. Take a look inside a wind turbine to see the various parts. View the wind turbine animation to see how a wind turbine works. • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/printable_versions/wind_animation.html • http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_wind.html Link to wind turbine animation and power animation with clickable components

8. How a Wind Turbine Works • A wind turbine works the opposite of a fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, a turbine uses wind to make electricity. • The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and makes electricity. The electricity is sent through transmission and distribution lines to a substation, then on to homes, business and schools. • Wind turbines have an emergency shut-off if a wind storm or tornado happens. You can see a wind turbine in action at the U.S. Department of Energy Web site: Wind Turbine Animation

9. Links to More Information, Videos, Games, and Materials • http://www.windpower.org/en/kids/index.htm Great interactive animation and opportunity to examine parts and how they work • http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/ Interactive games • http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/renewable/wind.html Publications and links • http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_how.html How wind turbine work with vocabulary and graphics • http://www.need.org/EnergyInfobooks.php Numerous infobooks available for alternative energy • http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/maps_template.asp?stateab=mt Montana wind resource map • http://www.re-energy.ca/t_windenergy.shtml Renewable energy resources • http://www.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/windguide.html Activity suggestions • http://sln.fi.edu/tfi/units/energy/wind.html

10. Further Links • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxOYwWu7Xcc&eurl=http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1253 / Wind turbine construction video, just over 1 minute • http://www.metaefficient.com/renewable-power/video-view-from-a-wind-turbine.html Wind turbine in England with an observation deck. ( App. 41/2 minutes) • http://videos.howstuffworks.com/general-electric/597-irish-wind-power-from-ge-video.htm Irish wind turbine off the coast, 1 ½ min, • http://www.howstuffworks.com/wind-power.htm Information • http://www.wind-watch.org/faq-all.php Wind fast facts • http://www.aweo.org/faq.html#footprint Wind power facts