Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is wind power?
How
does a Wind Turbine Work?
Can
you store the energy from a wind turbine?
How
much electricity does one turbine produce?
How
much land does the turbine take up?
How
much does wind power cost?
How
long does it take to build a project?
Is
there an issue with bird mortality?
What
is the noise like at a wind project?
How
much wind power is currently being produced in the United States?
How
much wind power could the U.S. produce?
What
are some of the current legislation issues regarding wind power?
How
do I find out more information about small, home-based wind systems?
How
can I help support wind power?
Additional
Resources
1)
What is wind power?
Wind power is the result of using the wind to generate
electricity. In the past windmills were used to grind grain or
pump water. Today, a large wind turbine can power all the
electricity needs of at least 350 homes. There are many different methods of producing
electricity, including burning coal and other fossil fuels. Yet
most of these ways hurt the environment by polluting the air and
water, and releasing dangerous gases into the Earth's atmosphere.
Wind power does not have these effects, which is why we call it
a clean, Earth-friendly energy source.
2) How does a Wind Turbine Work?
If the wind is blowing hard enough, starting at 7 mph, the blades
of a wind turbine will spin. The blades are connected to a drive
shaft located in the nacelle, or the box on the top of the tower.
As the blades turn, the drive shaft turns and produces electricity.
The electricity flows down the tower and into a transformer located
outside the turbine. Inside the transformer, the electricity from
the turbine is converted into an electricity that we can use for
power. The power flows to the project's substation and then into
a large power grid. From here, the wind generated electricity
is sent through utility lines to its final destination.
3) Can you store the energy from a
wind turbine?
Currently, there is not a cost effective way to store the energy that a wind
turbine produces. Once the power generated from the wind is turned
into electricity, it is directed to the electrical grid for immediate
use by consumers.
4) How much electricity does one turbine
produce?
Simply put, an average one megawatt wind turbine will produce
enough energy for the annual needs of 350 average households. The
amount of energy produced by a turbine varies depending on several
factors, namely the size and reliability of the turbine, and the
speed that the wind is blowing. These factors together produce the
turbine’s capacity. Typically modern turbines range in size from
660 kilowatts to over 3 megawatts of capacity.
They are placed in fairly windy locations with minimum wind speeds
in the range of six meters per second (around 13 miles per hour).
Wind turbines generally run at 30 to 40 percent capacity, so a
1 MW turbine could produce around 3 million KWh of electricity
in a year.
5) How much land does the turbine take
up?
The actual space that a turbine tower occupies is small, usually
less than 100 square feet, but some towers require fenced-in enclosures
for additional monitoring equipment, transformers, and other equipment.
6) How much does wind power cost?
Electricity generated by wind turbines typically costs around
5 cents per kWh. This is competitive with traditional sources
of electrical generation and is the cheapest renewable energy
source. Considering factors such as the rising cost of fossil
fuels, the cost of pollution including greenhouse gasses, and
the cost of site rehabilitation when a power plant closes, the
cost of wind power is competitive with, and may actually be less
than, fossil fuels. After a wind turbine is purchased and installed,
the operating costs are minimal and the fuel is free.
7) How long does it take to build a project?
The time it takes to build a project varies with the size of the
project, the number of turbines, and other factors. Most utility-size
projects take over a year to complete. However, in certain cases,
the construction time is much less. The 80 MW Llano Estacado Wind Ranch™
at White Deer, for instance, took only three months to construct.
8) Is there an issue with bird mortality?
Migratory bird “flyways” make a minimal impact on
bird populations. In fact, overhead high-voltage power lines,
and automobiles pose significantly greater threats to birds than
do wind turbines. Cielo Wind Power takes many steps to ensure
that wind projects have minimal impact to birds. For instance,
Cielo uses underground wires and tubular towers to eliminate bird
perching, and U.V. reflective paint to make sure that birds see
the turbines. Cielo also conducts avian studies so that turbines
are not located in the way of migratory paths.
9) What is the noise like at a wind
project?
Modern wind turbines produce almost no mechanical noise. Most
of the noise produced by the turbine is from the swish of the
blades slicing into the air, and even this is relatively low.
Typical noise levels are less than 50 Db on the ground below the
blades, equivalent to the sound of normal conversation.
10) How much wind power is currently
being produced in the United States?
According to the American Wind Energy Association, the total
U.S. production of wind power is around 6,740
megawatts. This is enough energy to power over 2 million US households.
11) How much wind power could the
U.S. produce?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, all U.S. electrical
energy needs could be met by the wind in Texas and the Dakotas
alone.
12) What are some of the current legislation
issues regarding wind power?
The Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) is a public policy currently
passed by the state legislatures of ten states that promotes and
requires the development and use of renewable energy. Additionally,
many states provide incentives for individuals and companies that
build or operate wind turbines. The national production tax credit
is an important piece of legislation for the wind power industry.
The tax credit makes wind power competitive with other energy
sources. In March 2002, the production tax credit was extended
to cover 2002-2003, and in September 2004 it was extended
through 2005. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of
further extensions, the wind industry has a difficult time planning
future wind projects for fear that they will not be cost competitive.
13)
How do I find out more information about small, home-based wind
systems?
The American Wind
Energy Association web site contains numerous manufacturer
links and FAQ’s for small home-based wind systems, and you
can subscribe to their Home Energy Systems Electronic Mailing
List.
14) How can I help support wind power?
