Technology in english
1ère STI2D
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Date :
Wind power in the world
Units of power
The watt (symbol: W) is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units (SI),
named after the Scottish engineer James Watt (1736–1819). The unit, defined as one joule per
second.
Multiples for watt
microwatt
The microwatt is equal to one millionth (10−6) of a watt.
1 µW = 1x10-6 W = 0.000 001 W
For example : Compact solar cells for devices such as calculators and watches are typically
measured in microwatts.
milliwatt
The milliwatt is equal to one thousandth (10−3) of a watt.
1 mW = 1x10-3 W = 0.001 W
For example : A typical laser pointer outputs about five milliwatts of light power
watt
kilowatt
The kilowatt is equal to one thousand (103) watts.
1 kW = 1x103 W = 1,000 W
For example : A surface area of one square meter on Earth receives typically one kilowatt of
sunlight from the sun (on a clear day at mid day)
megawatt
The megawatt is equal to one million (106) watts.
1 MW = 1x106 W =1,000 kW = 1,000,000 W
gigawatt
The gigawatt is equal to one billion (109) watts.
1 GW = 1x109 W = 1,000 MW = 1,000,000,000 W
In example : The London Array, the world's largest offshore wind farm, is designed to produce
a gigawatt of power.
terawatt
The terawatt is equal to one trillion (1012) watts.
1 TW = 1x1012 W = 1,000 GW = 1,000,000,000,000 W
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Lycée J.Curie / LE - CASTILLO
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Technology in english
1ère STI2D
Nom :
Prénom :
Date :
Make sentences to answer these questions.
a) In 2008, which country was the first wind power producer ?
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b) In 2008, which were the five first wind power energy producers in the world ?
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c) In 2008, what was the wind power cumulative capacity in the USA, China, France and Germany ?
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d) In 2012, which country was the first wind power producer ?
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e) In 2012, which were the five first wind power energy producers in the world ?
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f)
In 2012, what was the wind power cumulative capacity in the USA, China, France and Germany ?
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g) What was the wind power energy produced in China, in 2008 and 2012 ?
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h) Find the figures for the USA and France.
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Lycée J.Curie / LE - CASTILLO
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Technology in english
Nom :
Prénom :
Date :
1ère STI2D
µW
mW
W
kW
MW
unit
GW
Convert these figures in megawatt or gigawatt in the grid below.
TW
i)
in 2008
China
USA
France
in 2012
China
USA
France
j)
Then, convert them in watts and write the results in sentences.
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Be careful, in English :
in English
in France
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trillion
billion
1,000,000,000 = one billion
1,000,000,000,000 = one trillion
billion
million
thousand
hundred
milliard
million
mille
centaine
Lycée J.Curie / LE - CASTILLO
ten
dizaine
unit
unité
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Technology in english
1ère STI2D
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Prénom :
Date :
k) What’s the wind power energy produced in India in watt ?
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l)
What’s the wind power energy produced in Spain in watt ?
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m) What’s the wind power energy produced in United Kingdom in watt ?
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n) What was the total world production of wind power energy in 2012 ? Make a sentence to convert it in
gigawatt and in watt.
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o) And if one day, the world production reaches one tera watt (1TW), how much will it be in watts ?
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If you want to compare…
A low-energy bulb = 15W
A central heating = 2,000W
A dishwasher = 800W
A hoover = 250W
A computer = 350W
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Lycée J.Curie / LE - CASTILLO
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