SUS 102: Clean Energy Wind Energy LAB Wind turbines are more and more common across the United States and in Massachusetts. The questions here are intended to help clarify your understanding about wind energy, how much there is, where it is and the economics of wind energy. Although the math is not as important as the concept, do your best to get it right. Some conversions you may need: 1 square mile = 2.6 square kilometers, 1 square km = 1 Mega (square meter); 1 acre = 4000 square meters. 1. In Britain, David MacKay calculates that there are about 4000m2 of land area per person. Calculate the average land area available per person in the U.S. Is it greater or lessor than in Britain? In Massachusetts, how much land area is available per person? Is this bigger or smaller than the average house lot which is 680 m2? Is it bigger or smaller than a standard small farm in Massachusetts at 5 acres (20,200 m2? 2. Ask someone who isn't in this class where in the U.S. (what states) is there the best wind potential. Where does this map indicate is the best place to harness wind energy? 3. Using the maps from the site from the previous question, where in Massachusetts is the best wind potential? 4. What is the minimum operating speed for this wind turbine? If you assume that the Aeolos 500 is generating 500W whenever the wind speed is above the minimum operating speed, how much energy (kWh) would you expect to generate in May in Holyoke? You will need to do some research to find the information you need to solve this. 5. The power curve describes how much power is actually generated at a particular wind speed. What is a more realistic estimate of the total energy generated by this wind turbine in May in Holyoke? What is the value of this energy at $0.07 per kWh? Just for comparison, this turbine costs about $1000.00 with a simple guyed tower included. SUS 102: Clean Energy Wind Energy LAB Wind turbines are more and more common across the United States and in Massachusetts. The questions here are intended to help clarify your understanding about wind energy, how much there is, where it is and the economics of wind energy. Although the math is not as important as the concept, do your best to get it right. Some conversions you may need: 1 square mile = 2.6 square kilometers, 1 square km = 1 Mega (square meter); 1 acre = 4000 square meters. 1. In Britain, David MacKay calculates that there are about 4000m2 of land area per person. Calculate the average land area available per person in the U.S. Is it greater or lessor than in Britain? In Massachusetts, how much land area is available per person? Is this bigger or smaller than the average house lot which is 680 m2? Is it bigger or smaller than a standard small farm in Massachusetts at 5 acres (20,200 m2? 2. Ask someone who isn't in this class where in the U.S. (what states) is there the best wind potential. Where does this map indicate is the best place to harness wind energy? 3. Using the maps from the site from the previous question, where in Massachusetts is the best wind potential? 4. What is the minimum operating speed for this wind turbine? If you assume that the Aeolos 500 is generating 500W whenever the wind speed is above the minimum operating speed, how much energy (kWh) would you expect to generate in May in Holyoke? You will need to do some research to find the information you need to solve this. 5. The power curve describes how much power is actually generated at a particular wind speed. What is a more realistic estimate of the total energy generated by this wind turbine in May in Holyoke? What is the value of this energy at $0.07 per kWh? Just for comparison, this turbine costs about $1000.00 with a simple guyed tower included
