05-05_lab

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School

Auburn University *

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101

Subject

Aerospace Engineering

Date

Dec 6, 2023

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docx

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4

Uploaded by SuperProtonHyena19

Name: Hudson Daniel Date: 12/1/23 School: Benjamin Russell Facilitator: Mrs. Freeman 5.05 Wind Energy Lab Part 1: Background Read Wind Turbines: the Bigger, the Better, linked on the task page. Then, answer the following questions. 1. What is hub height? Define hub height in your own words. Hub height is the vertical distance from the base of a wind turbine to the center of its rotor, crucial for accessing optimal wind speeds. Increasing hub height is a common strategy to enhance wind turbine efficiency and electricity generation in wind farms. 2. Why are turbine towers becoming taller? Turbine towers are becoming taller primarily to access higher and more consistent wind speeds at elevated altitudes. By increasing the hub height, wind turbines can capture stronger winds, which results in improved energy production and overall efficiency. Taller towers also help address environmental concerns and community aesthetics by placing the turbines above the normal line of sight and minimizing potential visual and noise impacts. 3. What is rotor diameter? Define rotor diameter in your own words. Rotor diameter refers to the total distance across the circular path traced by the tips of a wind turbine's blades as they rotate. In simpler terms, it is the diameter of the imaginary circle formed by the spinning blades. Rotor diameter is a crucial parameter in wind turbine design, as it directly influences the amount of wind the turbine can capture and convert into electricity. Larger rotor diameters generally indicate a greater swept area, allowing the turbine to harness more wind energy and generate higher power output. 4. What is the advantage of larger rotor diameters? Larger rotor diameters in wind turbines offer significant advantages, primarily by increasing the swept area exposed to the wind. This results in higher energy capture, improved performance in low wind conditions, and enhanced efficiency. The ability to generate electricity at lower wind speeds makes wind energy more accessible in various regions. Additionally, larger rotor diameters contribute to better wind farm design, reducing the impact of turbulence and optimizing the spacing of turbines. While initial costs may be higher, the long-term benefits in terms of increased energy yield and cost efficiency make larger rotor diameters a key factor in advancing the effectiveness of wind power. 5. Define capacity in your own words. Capacity, in a general sense, refers to the maximum amount that something can contain, hold, or produce. It is a measure of the potential or capability of a system, facility, or resource to perform a specific function or accommodate a certain quantity. In various contexts, capacity may relate to the volume of goods a storage facility can hold, the output of a production process, the number of people an auditorium can accommodate, or the power generation capability of an energy source. The term is versatile and used to describe the capability or limit of a system or entity in diverse fields.
Part 2: Research Directions: Go to the US Wind Turbine Database, linked on the task page. In the upper left corner, use the Search by Project Name search box to complete the chart for the listed projects. Start by entering a project name. Then, select the project from the results.
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