05-05_labEnvScience
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School
Gulf Shores High Sch *
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Course
12
Subject
Aerospace Engineering
Date
Nov 24, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by MajorWolverine509
Name:
Joseph Stephens
Date:
10/25/23
School:
GSHS
Facilitator:
Nelson
5.05 Wind Energy Lab
Part 1: Background
Read Wind Turbines: the Bigger, the Better, linked on the task page. Then, answer the following
questions.
1. What is hub height? Define hub height in your own words.
Hub height is the distance from the ground to the middle of the turbine’s rotor.
2. Why are turbine towers becoming taller?
To capture more energy since winds increase as altitudes increase.
3. What is rotor diameter? Define rotor diameter in your own words.
Rotor diameter is the total width of the circle that the rotating turbine blades create.
4. What is the advantage of larger rotor diameters?
Larger rotor diameters capture more wind and produce more electricity.
5. Define capacity in your own words.
Capacity is the maximum power rating of wind turbines.
Part 2: Research
Directions:
Go to the US Wind Turbine Database, linked on the task page. In the upper left corner, use the
Search by Project Name search box to complete the chart for the listed projects. Start by entering a
project name. Then, select the project from the results.
After you select the project, locate the project information in the list on the right side of the screen.
Record the number of turbines, year online, and total rated capacity.
After you find the information for the project, select the project by clicking on it. Then, your cursor over
one of the turbines in the project. Record the rated capacity, hub height, and rotor diameter for an
individual turbine.
Finally, use the terrain map to determine if the turbines are on mountains, plains, or offshore. One sample
has been completed for you.
Project Name
Number
of
turbines
Year
Online
Total
Rated
Capacity
(in MW)
Hub
Height
Rotor
Diameter
Total
Height
Rated
Capacity
(in MW)
Location
(mountains,
plains,
offshore)
Patterson Pass
Project, CA
132
1985
13.1
16
24.6
32.6
0.065
mountain
s
Mesa Wind Farm
432
1983
30.0
22.8
15.30
30.40
0.065
plains
Indian Mesa Project
125
2001
82.5
50
47.00
73.50
0.66
plains
Lake Benton I
139
1998
107.3
53
48.00
77.10
0.75
plains
Peetz Table Wind
Farm
33
2001
29.7
72
52.00
98.10
0.9
plains
North Dakota Wind
II
14
2003
21.0
65
70.50
100.30
1.5
Courtenay Project
100
2016
200.0
80
100.00
130.10
2
mountain
s
Orangeville Wind
58
2013
84.2
80
100.00
130.10
1.62
mountain
s
Crescent Wind
60
2021
166.1
89
127.00
152.40
2.82
plains
Azure Sky Wind
Project
53
2022
350.1
108
149.00
182.50
4.8
plains
Block Island Project
5
2016
30.0
106
150.00
181.10
6
offshore
Directions:
Answer the following questions below based on your research.
1.
Based on your research, how have hub height, rotor diameter, and total height of wind turbines changed
over time?
They have all increased over the years.
2.
Based on your research, how have total rated capacity and rated capacity changed over time?
Over time, total rated capacity has varied, but has increased since the start.
Rated capacity has increased over time.
3.
Complete the following statement: As the rotor diameter of a wind turbine increases, its rated capacity
increases
.
4.
How has the number of wind turbines per project changed? Why do you think the number has changed?
Support your answer with information from your research.
It has varied throughout different projects. I think it has changed because the wind in the
atmosphere is different and one location requires a different amount of energy than others.
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5.
Based on your research in this activity, describe the wind turbine projects of the future. Include
information about the height, rotor diameter, number of turbines, capacity, and location in your answer.
I think the height and rotor diameter will continue to increase in the future. I think the number of
turbines and capacity will continue to vary. I think the locations of wind turbines will be
determined on wind in the atmosphere and how much energy can be produced in the area.