"Wind Turbines" is a PowerPoint for primary and secondary students that provides a description of wind turbines and their use in producing green energy. It also highlights careers in the field of green energy and engineering. This lesson can be paired with a "Build Your Own Wind Farm" activity.

1. Wind Turbines

2. History
The first windmill appeared
in Persia in 200 BC.
The first wind turbine was
built in 1887 in Scotland and
was used to power one
home.

3. How Wind Turbines Work
Three main parts: the tower, the
nacelle, and the rotor blades.
Wind spins the blades around a
rotor which then spins a
generator to create electricity.
Wind speeds of approximately 30
miles per hour are ideal.
Most turbines installed today are
2 MW and cost between $3-4
million

4. Wind Turbine
Transportation
Wind Turbines require specialized
transport due to their size. Pieces
require unique equipment only
used in wind turbine
transportation.
Wind Turbines are transported by
rail, truck, and water.
A single turbine can require up to
eight hauls (one nacelle, one hub,
three blades and three tower
sections).

5. Transportation Continued
Trucks are a beneficial because they
deliver directly to site. Challenges
include state laws required for
oversized loads and the high price of
fuel.
Transportation by rail and water is more
economically efficient. However, rarely
do these forms of transportation have
access to the final site.

6. Construction of a Wind Farm
Spacing of 6-10 times the rotor
diameter is often upheld.
Wind speeds greater than about
6.5 (14.5 mph) meter per second
at 80 meters are idea. Wind
turbines shut off at 25 meters per
second (56 mph).
Wide open spaces - such as open
plains, gaps in mountains, or on
top of hills.
A large wind farm can be
constructed in as little as six
months. However site
assessment and development
can take up to two years.

7. An average wind turbine
can produce enough
electricity for 350-500
homes.

8. Texas leads the nation in wind energy production. The largest
wind farm in Texas covers over 100,000 acres in four counties
and produces enough electricity to power 265,000 homes.

9. Why
Wind
Energy?
Unlike other forms of energy, wind energy uses virtually no water.
This will save 30 trillion bottles of water by 2030.
Wind energy is pollution free.
Wind energy creates 30% more jobs than a coal plant and 66% more
than a nuclear power plant per unit of energy generated.

10. A Few Wind Energy Cons…
Unpredictable- some days the
wind just doesn’t blow and no
energy is produced.
Can kill migrating birds, however
wind turbines are often
constructed off migration paths.

11. Wind Turbines
in Nebraska
Nebraska has the fourth largest
potential for wind energy but doesn’t
even rank in the top 10 for production.
Current wind energy in Nebraska can
power about 160,000 homes.
260 operational wind turbines on 11
different sites.
Lack of available infrastructure in
western Nebraska decreases the
amount of wind farms.

13. • Salary: $51,000 - $61,000
• Education: Bachelor’s
• Experience: 0 - 2 years
Civil Engineer
• Salary: $50,000 – $57,000
• Education: Bachelor’s
• Experience: 0 - 2 years
Environmental
Engineer
• Salary: $50,000 – $54,000
• Education: Wind Tech. Certificate
• Experience: 0 - 2 years
Wind
Technician
Engineering Careers

14. Civil Engineers
Designs and supervises construction projects
such as airports, bridges, channels, dams,
railroads, and roads
Responsibilities also include estimating costs
and personnel and material needs, preparing
proposals and establishing completion dates

15. Environmental
Engineer
Environmental engineers use the principles of
engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry
to develop solutions to environmental problems.
They are involved in efforts to improve recycling,
waste disposal, public health, and control of
water and air pollution

16. Wind Technician
Typical work duties for the occupation include; torqueing,
fluid changes, component replacement, hydraulic system
repair, and electrical system troubleshooting. Wind
Technicians work in small teams in order to regularly service
2 to 3 wind turbines per day.
California, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and
Wisconsin are all experiencing wind technician shortages.

17. How do we know how much power a wind turbine
can produce?
http://www.windgenkits.com/faq.htm
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%3D0.5*1.2*314*%28_^
3%29

18. Building Your Own Wind Farm
Using the supplies given to you, place as many turbines on
your landscape board as you think would power your school
for one day. Remember:
1) think about the optimal wind speed for wind turbines
when determining placement
2) wind turbines can’t be built in bird migration paths
3) wind turbines can’t be built where wind speed exceeds 56
mph
4) wind turbines can’t be built within 300 m from the nearest
home (for this project assume wind turbines can’t be built
5 inches from the nearest home)
Use your worksheet to determine how many turbines it would
take to power Culler Middle School for one day. Good luck!