Energy, Power and Climate Change

8.4 Non Fossil Fuel Power Production

Non Fossil Fuel Power Production

Wind PowerThe air has to keep moving after passing through the blades. This imposes a limit on the proportion of energy that can be taken from the wind (59%).

The turbine and generator then usually convert around 70% of the energy ‘taken out’ into electricity.

If the air is approaching at velocity v then it travels through a distance v per second. Thus the volume of air passing through per second

= Area x distance = πr2 x v

If the air has initial density ρ then the mass passing per second = ρ x volume = ρ x πr2 x v = ρπr2v

w in d sp eed w in d sp eed

9 .0 m s – 1 5 .0 m s – 1

tu rb in e b lad esTurbine blades, radius r, area A

If Ek = ½ mv2

Then every second the energy in the wind is given by...

Ek = ½ ρπr2v v2

So power in the wind is given by...

P = ½ ρπr2v3

Wave Power

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text

Subtitle

Text