+Working

With

Wind Energy

+Learning Objectives

Learn about wind energy conversion

Design a wind turbine

Construct the wind turbine

Test the wind turbine

Evaluate Performance

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A Wind Turbine

The wind hits the blades…

Shaft leads to a gearbox whose output leads to a generator to make electricity

Usually has 2 or 3 blades

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WINDWIND

24 - 25 SEP 2010

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+ Many blade designs5

+Your Challenge

Design, construct and test your own wind turbine design

Lift weight – 15 cmas quickly as possible

Maximum 1 minute

No human interaction!

Blowdryer at least30cm away from turbine

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> 1ft, 30cm

+Turbine Requirements

Must have a rotor shaft around which to wind up given weight

Must be freestanding (no human interaction)

Must use only materials provided

7

> 1ft, 30cm

+Test Procedure

Blowdryer at least 30 cm away from turbine

No human interaction with turbine

Attach weight around rotor

Up to 1 minute to wind up weight for 15cm

Record time to wind up weight

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> 1ft, 30cm

+Materials

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+Procedure

Teams of two (2)

Develop and sketch your design

Construct initial design

Preliminary test

Modify design, if necessary

Final test

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+Evaluate Your Design

Efficiency of design may depend onCost of materialsSpeed (rotations per minute)Power (time to wind weight)

Possible measure of efficiency:Eff. = (Cost of materials) / (time [sec] to

lift weight)

Are two designs that have the same rotational speed equally as “good”?

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