ENGR 0011
Group L21
Vidic
2:00 P.M.
Tuesday and Thursday
WIND-POWERED WORLD: A UNIVERSAL SOURCE OF POWER
Jordan Lysinger (jal187@pitt.edu)
WIND ENERGY: LEADING THE WORLD
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
RENEWABLE VS. NON-RENEWABLE
RESOURCES
As the world has become more technologically advanced,
technology has become an integrated part of our daily lives.
From driving to work in the morning to cooking dinner in
the evening, some form of technology fits into each portion
of our day. Our use of technology comes with a price: the
consumption of energy. In order to continue this lavish trend
of energy consumption, it is imperative that we rely on an
efficient method of energy production. For all engineers, it is
important to realize the value of researching today’s primary
sources of energy in order to replace them with more
environmentally friendly methods of producing energy.
Even a freshman engineering student can find value in such
research, as it makes it apparent very early on in their
engineering career that the methods utilized today are
certainly subject to flaw and can be improved. A freshman
engineer with this in mind can therefore focus on the
production of more innovative methods that make up for the
flaws of current ones. It is also important to recognize the
ethical reasoning behind finding a renewable and green
source of energy, as all engineers should be obligated to
follow a code of ethics for all projects they are involved in.
Wind turbines are one of many potential sources of energy
in today’s world. In hopes of protecting the environment,
engineers should be ethically bound to promoting the
expansion of this greener source of energy. “A wind farm
generates wind-powered electricity by a collection of
wind turbines in the same location. Individual turbines are
interconnected with a medium-voltage collection system and
communications network. This medium-voltage electricity is
then stepped up with a transformer to a high voltage
transmission system and an electric grid”[4]. The turbines
harness the power of the wind in order to output a consistent
flow of energy. Whereas other forms of energy production
will become obsolete once a resource is consumed, these
turbines will never go out of use since wind cannot
physically be consumed. Also, wind energy produces no
harmful by-products into the environment, unlike other
sources like the burning of fossil fuels. Due to these facts, it
would be in the world’s best interest to invest more into
wind turbines as to maximize the production of this
renewable and green energy.
The problem with the most common forms of energy
production is that the resources they utilize are nonrenewable. For decades, the world has relied on fossil fuels
for a majority of its energy needs. Over the past 40 years,
fossil fuels have followed an increasing trend line of
consumption [5]. Oil, coal, and natural gas reserves, while
depleting over a large span of time, will inevitably be
exhausted. It is estimated that oil and gas reserves will be the
first to run out, as they are localized to certain areas of the
globe, whereas coal reserves are evenly distributed
worldwide [5]. Aside from the issue of complete
consumption, these types of resources will continue to rise in
price at an alarming rate as they become more and more
scarce. To avoid such an impending market crisis, it is
imperative for the world to change its focus to renewable
resources rather than non-renewable. Wind farms have great
potential to be the world’s next leading form of energy due
to the fact they are not vulnerable to the same flaws as fossil
fuels. “Wind energy is non-depleting, site-dependant and
non-polluting. Renewable resources have great potential to
reduce fuel costs, contribute to system adequacy, and
provide security against price volatility”[4]. With a
dedicated renewable resource, the next focus would be on
maximizing the energy output for that resource.
ENERGY SURPLUS: A LOOK AT THE
NUMBERS
One of the most important factors of comparison between
energy production methods is the surplus of energy for a
given method. That is, how much energy a method will put
out in comparison to the amount of energy required for the
processes involved to actually produce the final product.
Typically, this number is referred to as the EROI, or energy
return on investment [2]. In an article on renewable energy,
the author includes a detailed report of an analysis on wind
turbines:
“This analysis reviews 119 wind turbines from 50 different
analyses, ranging in publication date from 1977 to 2007. We
extend the work of Lenzen and Munksgaard by including
additional and more recent analyses, distinguishing between
important assumptions about system boundaries and
methodological approaches, and viewing the EROI as
function of power rating. Our survey shows average EROI
for all studies (operational and conceptual) of 25.2 (n = 114;
1
Jordan Lysinger
std. dev = 22.3). The average EROI for just the operational
studies is 19.8 (n = 60; std. dev = 13.7)”[2].
The analysis discussed in this article returns EROI numbers
for wind turbines to be 20 or higher, translating to a 20 fold
return of energy for currently operational turbines. With
enough investment in the engineering of wind turbines, the
EROI numbers should follow an increasing trend. For
example, by researching designs to increase the rotor
diameter of turbines, future wind farms look to have much
greater power output per turbine, leading to increased EROI
numbers for wind energy [2]. Another potential
improvement in turbine design derives from the “cube rule”
of wind power. “Another reason that larger turbines have a
larger EROI is the well known “cube rule” of wind power,
i.e., the power available from the wind varies as the cube of
the wind speed. Thus, if the wind speed doubles, the power
of the wind increases eight times”[2]. If taller turbines to
utilize faster winds at higher altitudes are developed, this
would ultimately lead to an exponential increase in power
output of wind energy. Overall, wind farms profit
generously when it comes to net energy.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: A
GREEN SOURCE OF ENERGY
Another current issue with the world’s dependency on
fossil fuels is the impact it has on the environment. Many
environmentalists put the combustion of fossil fuels at blame
for current atmospheric and climate problems. The burning
of fossil fuels increases the carbon dioxide concentration in
the atmosphere, leading to increased climate changes [3].
Our continued reliability on fossil fuels will only further
destroy the environment in this manner. However, the use of
wind turbines as our primary source of energy offers no
significant negative impact on the environment. The most
common issue which environmentalists argue against wind
farms is the amount of land they take up. This argument
goes along with the NIMBY theory, or Not-In-My-BackYard theory. An article detailing a study done in Texas on
the integration of wind farms offers a variety of definitions
of the NIMBY theory:
“The basic theory is that people support wind energy on an
abstract level but object to specific local projects because of
the expected consequences concerning primary noise and
visual impact”[1].
“…the phenomenon that certain services are in
principle considered as beneficial by the majority of the
population, but that proposed facilities to provide these
services are in practice often strongly opposed by local
residents”[1].
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering 2
Tuesday, October 30th, 2012
“The idea of NIMBY is rather simplistic as it suggests that
people have positive attitudes towards something
(wind power) until they are actually confronted with it, and
that they then oppose it for selfish reasons”[1].
“NIMBY is used to describe opponents of new
developments who recognize that a facility is needed but are
opposed to its siting within their locality”[1].
“More formally, NIMBY refers to the protectionist attitudes
of and oppositional tactics adopted by community groups
facing
an
unwelcome
development
in
their
neighborhood”[1].
From analysis of each definition, it can be concluded that
the NIMBY theory boils down to one central point: people
in the community recognize the advantages to having a
particular plant or project, but yet they still refuse to accept
it. They argue that wind farms are unsightly and noisy in
their communities. Therefore, they would prefer not to have
a wind farm in the community entirely despite the energy
surplus offered by it. The people who oppose the idea of the
expansion of wind energy due to this reason will have to
make a compromise. Do they compromise their own
reasoning for the development of a highly efficient source of
energy in their community? Or do they stand their ground on
the matter and continue to favor the environmentally
destructive burning of fossil fuels? Ultimately, it is an
ethical choice that these types of people must make.
ETHICS OF ENGINEERING A GREENER
WORLD
While the notion of producing enough energy to keep up
with today’s heavy energy consumption is significant, it is
imperative that the engineers involved in the development of
such a process do not turn a blind eye to the negative
repercussions of doing so. Unfortunately, this violation of
ethics among today’s engineers has brought the world to
being so heavily dependent on the burning of fossil fuels for
energy, resulting in great damage to our environment. The
National Society of Professional Engineers’ code of ethics
states that “engineers are encouraged to adhere to the
principles of sustainable development in order to protect the
environment for future generations”[6]. Based on this very
canon alone, any engineer should be largely in favor of a
sustainable source of energy like the use of wind turbines as
opposed to the non-sustainable use of fossil fuels. In fact,
this canon is seen again in the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers’ code of ethics. The IEEE code of
ethics states that engineers are “to accept responsibility in
making decisions consistent with the safety, health, and
welfare of the public”[7]. Engineers who follow this tenet
should instinctively place the preservation of the
environment as a top priority when considering sources of
Jordan Lysinger
energy. If a method has severe negative implications on the
environment or produces a significant amount of a harmful
by-product, then that particular method should certainly not
be considered above others with lesser consequences. After
all, there is limited worth to a method of producing energy
that is inevitably self-destructive. I personally believe that,
as engineers, we should be obligated to design a process that
produces a sufficient amount of energy while minimizing the
future implications of repeating the same process. Therefore,
I fully believe that wind energy is the solution to the world’s
energy problems. It is our duty to preserve a brighter and
greener future for generations to come, and I believe a world
dependent on wind turbines for energy can secure such a
future.
THE VALUE OF RESEARCH
Through the production of this research paper, I have
come to value my position towards the funding of a better
method of energy production. Meticulous research has
shown me that today’s methods of energy production do not
support a better future for our planet and its inhabitants. This
type of writing assignment seems to be common among
engineering schools, such as at the University of Bucharest:
“They give the reader information, explaining an issue, or
providing a definition to a particular topic. In order to
properly develop an expository essay, one must develop a
strong thesis that is supported by relevant facts and statistics,
examples, or other pertinent information”[8]. I am thankful
that this opportunity was presented to me so I could educate
myself on a current engineering issue to the point where I
can develop my own stance on it. I believe this process is
exceptionally important for all freshman engineering
students, as it begins to make you think like a true engineer
would, which is evaluating today’s technology in hopes of
correcting its flaws. Of course, we cannot ensure that these
newer designs will be absolutely perfect. However, if this
cycle of research continues, then freshman engineers of
future generations may look upon our designs to find their
flaws and put forth effort to correct them as much as
possible. Ultimately, the product of this continued research
is a world of engineers building upon the work of other
engineers, providing a fresh perspective of which to
incorporate into the existing work of another engineer in
order to build the best future possible.
LOOKING AT THE FINAL PRODUCT
With all factors considered, wind turbines can be viewed
as an unlimited source of efficient energy that is
environmentally friendly. If this technology was better
funded and recognized, we could see a smooth transition
from dependence on fossil fuel energy to wind energy. This
objective will only become increasingly more relevant in the
upcoming decades as fossil fuel reserves become more and
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering 3
Tuesday, October 30th, 2012
more scarce. Directly related to this trend, the environment
will only continue to suffer from the negative byproducts
that come from consumption of fossil fuels. It is our ethical
duty as engineers to preserve the environment through our
work rather than destroy it. Anything short of this would be
a direct violation of our code of ethics. By producing more
energy efficient wind farms, we can set in motion a rough
plan to resolve the world’s energy crisis. As time goes on,
future engineering students can use their research to smooth
out this plan to create an energy efficient future. If this issue
is acted upon quickly enough, we can secure a cleaner and
more efficient world for centuries to come.
REFERENCES
[1] J.Swofford, M. Slattery. (2010). “Public attitudes of wind
energy in Texas: Local communities in close proximity to
wind farms and their effect on decision-making.” Energy
Policy. (Online article).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S03014215
09010027
[2] I. Kubiszewski, C. J. Cleveland, P. K. Endres. (2010).
“Meta-analysis of net energy return for wind power systems.”
Renewable Energy. (Online article).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S09601481
0900055X
[3] C. Vernon, E. Thompson, S. Cornell. (2011). “Carbon
dioxide emission scenarios: limitations of the fossil fuel
resource.” Procedia Environmental Sciences. (Online
article).
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S18780296
11001241
[4] A. H. I. Lee, H. H. Chen, H. Kang. (2009). “Multicriteria decision making on strategic selection of wind
farms.” Renewable Energy. (Online Article)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S09601481
08001444
[5] S. Shafiee, E. Topal. (2009). “When will fossil fuel
reserves be diminished?” Energy Policy. (Online Article)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S03014215
08004126
[6] “NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers.” NSPE. (Online
Article)
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[7] “IEEE Code of Ethics.” IEEE. (Online Article)
http://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html
[8] S. C. Cismas. (2010). “Basic Academic Writing in
Engineering Studies: Research, Documentation, Progress.”
WSEAS.
http://www.wseas.us/elibrary/conferences/2010/Corfu/EDUCATION/EDUCATIO
N-57.pdf
Jordan Lysinger
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
First and foremost, I would like to thank the men and
women involved in the past 12 years of my education. They
have provided me with the knowledge to begin my study of
engineering. This knowledge has allowed me to take a
stance on engineering related topics like the one covered in
this paper. Secondly, I would like to thank my parents and
peers for their unwavering support in my endeavor to
achieve my degree in the engineering field. Lastly, I would
like to thank my current professors for leading me through
the transition of high school student to college student. The
transition is surely not an easy one to make; therefore I am
glad to have such professional men and women there to
guide me through it.
University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering 4
Tuesday, October 30th, 2012