Topic 3
Which renewable is 'best'? 1
Embedded Files
Aspire to be an independent learner. Click here to learn how.
Learning aims
Learning aims
To consider the advantages and disadvantages of wind by by direct experimentation.
To consider the factors which affect wind turbine efficiency.
(Why am I doing this?)
(Why am I doing this?)
So that I can gain an appreciation of the challenges facing scientists and engineers when designing wind turbines.
So that I can understand how energy efficiency determines how successful a wind turbine is.
Watch the inspirational William Kamkwamba, the boy who harnessed the wind' give his TED talk. where he tells about his amazing inventive journey.
Lesson vocabulary
Lesson vocabulary
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
noun: hypothesis; plural noun: hypotheses
a supposition or proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation.
Turbine
Turbine
noun: turbine; plural noun: turbines
a machine for producing continuous power in which a wheel or rotor, typically fitted with vanes, is made to revolve by a fast-moving, linear, inward flow of water, steam, gas, air, or other fluid.
Voltage
Voltage
noun: voltage; plural noun: voltages
an electromotive force or potential difference expressed in volts.
Activities
Activities
Where would you put a wind farm?
Where would you put a wind farm?
A wind farm needs wind to work, right? But what location is best? Some locations have more disadvantages than advantages and many people are opposed to wind farms because of their environmental impact.
Generally these are the best locations for a wind farm:
Places where there is frequent, sustained winds (not just gusts). This is so that the blades turn for a consistent amount of time - not just starting up and slowing back down again intermittently.
Wind turbines need a wind speed of about 6 knots (~7 miles per hour) before they will generate anything. They are at their most efficient between 23 to 26 knots (~26 to ~30 miles per hour). They shut down for safety at about 43 knots (50mph).
Unpopulated areas. Places with low human populations.
Areas where wildlife are not affected.
Places that currently use environmentally unfriendly methods of electricity generation.
Constructing a wildlife friendly windmill for the RSPB.mp4This video shows the company ecotricity discussing the building of a wind turbine with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It shows how engineers must work with conservationists if we are to avoid harming our living environment.
Can weather forecasts help us determine if wind turbines are viable?
Can weather forecasts help us determine if wind turbines are viable?
Look at the live wind map below.
Where is it currently most windy?
Zoom in and have a look around the Bridgend area.
How does it compare with the rest of the UK?
Double-click on Bridgend and check out the forecast over the coming days. Is there enough wind to power a turbine?
Technology vocabulary: 'Viable'
Technology vocabulary: 'Viable'
adjective
capable of working successfully; feasible.
"the proposed investment was economically viable"
Is it a viable source of local renewable energy for Bridgend?
Is it a viable source of local renewable energy for Bridgend?
Click here to view the windy.com website full screen. Otherwise you can manipulate the map and layers from this page.
Location of power stations in the UK.
Location of power stations in the UK.
Activity 1).
Using the embedded renewables map (from 2018), filter and zoom to find out where wind power stations are located in Bridgend and the surrounding counties.
Activity 2).
The government published spreadsheet at the bottom lists ALL power stations in the United Kingdom.
Using the filters, try and find out where the wind farms are located in South Wales.
Activity 3).
As yourself, 'do the locations in the map, match up with the government list?'. Why is it important to make sure that the information we use to inform our decision making must be checked by comparing it with other sources?
Activity 4).
Use the contour lines in the interactive map below to scout the local area for possible locations for the new farm.
Activity 6).
When you've narrowed your search down, mark them on the worksheet clearly and complete the table to show the data you have found. Investigate the local wildlife and local community to learn about any possible objections or environmental barriers to your proposed farm.
Activity 5).
When you've found a possible location, check its elevation (height) by using the tool (linked below). Hover over your chosen location and click to find the actual elevation in metres.
Use this converter tool to convert wind speeds from miles per hour to knots or vice versa.
Task
Task
Propose a location for a wind farm capable of supplying enough electricity for 100 homes. You will propose three candidate locations, ranking them in order of preference.
You must provide justification for your choices, including:
Elevation (height above sea level in metres).
Number of proposed turbines and power capability in MW (megawatts).
A discussion of the possible environmental impact.
In order to find out about the wind turbines themselves, you may wish to use the following websites:
Britwind
(Large commercial turbines up to 16kW )FutureEnergy
(Small domestic turbines up to 1kW)
Remember to complete the hand calculations page to show your working.
Click here to make a copy of the worksheet in your Google Drive.
Estimations to be used for your calculations
Estimations to be used for your calculations
- Daily electricity requirement per home: 10kW
Extension
Extension
How many turbines would be needed to deliver electricity to the following local communities?
Use the following statistics to help you.
Total population of Bridgend: 146,242
Percentage of local Bridgend population:
- Pyle, Kenfig Hill, Cornelly: 12%
- Pencoed: 7%
- Porthcawl: 12%
- Average number of people per household: 4
BCBC Profile 2018.pdfPage updated
Report abuse