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Working WithWind Energy

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+Learning Objectives

Learn about wind energy conversion

Design a wind turbineConstruct the wind turbineTest the wind turbineEvaluate Performance

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A Wind TurbineThe 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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WIND

24 - 25 SEP 2010

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+ Many blade designs 5

+Your ChallengeDesign, construct and test

your own wind turbine design

Lift weight – 15 cmas quickly as possible

Maximum 1 minuteNo human interaction!Blowdryer at least

30cm away from turbine

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> 1ft, 30cm

+Turbine RequirementsMust have a rotor

shaft around which to wind up given weight

Must be freestanding (no human interaction)

Must use only materials provided

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> 1ft, 30cm

+Test ProcedureBlowdryer at least 30 cm

away from turbineNo human interaction with

turbineAttach weight around rotorUp to 1 minute to wind up

weight for 15cmRecord time to wind up

weight

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> 1ft, 30cm

+Materials9

+Procedure

Teams of two (2)Develop and sketch your designConstruct initial designPreliminary testModify design, if necessaryFinal test

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+Evaluate Your DesignEfficiency of design may depend on

Cost 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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