Wind Energy
Presented by Jerad Naymick & Selvam Arjunan
Fall 2006
Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
http://www.tva.gov/news/files/buffmtn/turbines3.jpg
Overview
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Technical background
Small wind systems
Potential in Texas
Large scale economics
How does a wind turbine function?
Wind
Kinetic energy to
mechanical energy
Mechanical energy to
electrical energy
http://www.solarnavigator.net/wind_turbines/turbine_drawing.jpg
Power from a Wind Turbine
P=
3
½CpρAV
Where
P = captured power
Cp = max power coefficient, generally 0.25 to 0.45 (Betz limit = 0.59)
ρ = air density
A = rotor swept area
V = wind speed
http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/small_wind/small_wind_guide.pdf
Small Wind Electric Systems
• Is wind energy a practical solution?
• What power should the wind turbine produce?
• Which tower type is best?
• How much do wind turbines cost?
• Is grid connection an option?
http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/small_wind/small_wind_guide.pdf
Wind Potential in Texas
Improving technology will further increase the potential capacity!
http://www.infinitepower.org/reswind.htm
Large Scale Economic Analysis
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Financing Costs
Opportunity Costs
Operating Costs
Externalities
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/m/c/mcc171/dollar.jpg
Opportunity Costs
• 2% of time needed for maintenance
• Inability to achieve Betz limit
http://www.energyadvocate.com/fw91.htm
http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/wind-enrgy.html
Operating Costs
• Wind is free, where available
• Economies of scale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:US_wind_power_map.png
Financing Costs
• Conventional energies are better off than renewable energies
• Utility versus private developer
• Risk affects interest rate, and thus cost
– Variability in wind
– PTC renewals
Company
Type
– REPI not guaranteed
• Industry lacks stability
www.awea.org/pubs/documents/Outlook_2006.pdf
Utility
Private
Interest Rate
7.5%
9.5%
Payment
Period
20 years 12 years
Risk
Management
DSCR
Federal Aid
PTC
REPI
Externalities
• Environmental
– Zero emissions!
– Minimal noise pollution
– Bird fatalities
• No Hidden Subsidies
– Medical
– Military
www.awea.org/pubs/documents/Outlook_2006.pdf
Questions?
http://shiftingbaselines.org/blog/wind_turbines_300.jpg
References
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Comparitive Cost of wind and Other Energy Sources. Wind Energy Fact Sheet. American Wind Energy Association. 19 Nov.
2006 <http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/Cost2001.PDF>.
“Cost FAQ.” American Wind Energy Association. 19 Nov. 2006 <http://www.awea.org/faq/cost.html>.
Economics of Wind Energy. Mar. 2002. American Wind Energy Association. 17 Nov. 2006
<http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/EconomicsofWind-March2002.pdf>.
Economics of Wind Energy. Endless Energy Corporation. 19 Nov. 2006 <http://www.endlessenergy.com/windenergy.shtml>.
“Frequently Asked Questions.” Horizon Wind Energy for Landowners. 2005. 19 Nov. 2006
<http://www.horizonwind.com/about/landowners/faq.aspx>.
“How Does a Wind Turbine Work?” National Wind Technology Center. 19 Nov. 2006
<http://www.nrel.gov/wind/animation.html>.
Small Wind Electric Systems. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy. 19 Nov. 2006
<http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/small_wind/small_wind_guide.pdf>.
“Texas Wind Energy Development.” Wind Project Database. American Wind Energy Association. 16 Nov. 2006
<http://www.awea.org/projects/texas.html>.
Texas Wind Energy Resources. Texas State Energy Conservation Office. 19 Nov. 2006
<http://www.infinitepower.org/reswind.htm>.
Variability of Wind Power and Other Renewables: Management Options and Strategies. 2005. American Wind Energy
Association. June 2005. International Energy Association. 19 Nov. 2006
<http://awea.org/policy/regulatory_policy/transmission_documents/IEA_report_variability_wind.pdf>.
Wind Energy Applications Guide. American Wind Energy Association. 16 Nov. 2006
<http://www.awea.org/pubs/documents/appguideformatWeb.pdf>.
Wind Energy for Rural Economic Development. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. 18 Nov. 2006
<http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33590.pdf>.
“Windmill Efficiency.” The Energy Advocate. 2001. 17 Nov. 2006 <http://www.energyadvocate.com/fw91.htm>.
Wind Power Myths vs. Facts. American Wind Energy Association. 18 Nov. 2006
<http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf>.
Wind Power Outlook 2006. American Wind Energy Association. 17 Nov. 2006
<http://www.awea.org/pubs/documents/Outlook_2006.pdf>.
“Wind Turbines and the Energy in the Wind.” Energy Exploration. 2005. FT Exploring Science and Technology. 19 Nov. 2006
<http://www.ftexploring.com/energy/wind-enrgy.html>.