Unit Renewable Energy:
Wind

Photo shows many tall wind turbines near a barn and fields of crops.
Wind turbines provide energy in the midwest.
copyright
Copyright © US Department of Energy http://www1.eere.energy.gov/

Summary

Creating sustainable energy is a challenge that engineers are helping solve to meet the world's need for clean and consistent power sources. This unit explores wind as a renewable energy source. Students explore aspects of wind power including designing, building, and testing anemometers and wind turbines (windmills).

Engineering Connection

We are facing many issues with conventional energy sources (fossil fuels, hydropower, nuclear) that are leading engineers to develop innovative alternative renewable energy sources (wind, solar, biomass) to manage the impacts of energy production on the natural environment. Engineers design wind turbines to produce electricity from the force of the wind. Turbines look like pinwheels with angled blades connected to a gear box, which is connected to a generator. Engineers collect and analyze wind data to continually improve turbine technology and wind farm design.

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Unit Schedule

Suggested activity order:

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Last modified: November 24, 2020

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