{"id":122,"date":"2023-11-16T20:24:51","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T20:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.wpenginepowered.com\/?page_id=122"},"modified":"2023-12-01T01:33:42","modified_gmt":"2023-12-01T01:33:42","slug":"wind-energy-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/?page_id=122","title":{"rendered":"Wind Energy Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wind Energy<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Image: Unsplash. \u201cPhoto by American Public Power Association on Unsplash.\u201d Unsplash.com<\/em>, 23 Oct. 2017, unsplash.com\/photos\/windmills-on-green-field-under-white-sky-during-daytime-eIBTh5DXW9w. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Power Considerations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wind speed averages and signs of flagging (the permanent deformation of trees and other vegetation by wind) can be used as an estimate to gauge what the wind looks like in specific locations, but this is only an estimate. Tree and building proximity can affect wind, so in most cases contractors will come in to collect actual site data to understand exactly what the wind in your location looks like. However, it is worth noting that this process can be cost- and time-intensive because it involves collecting wind measurements for a full year1<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Site data was not available, so to make recommendations for wind power implementation we looked at wind speed averages and tree cover2<\/sup>. Wind speeds of at least 9 to 10 miles per hour are preferable for installation of wind turbines. Low tree cover is also required due to the way it can obstruct wind speed1<\/sup>. We were able to find data on tree cover in hectares3<\/sup> for each location we looked into; however, information on land area for each location to convert tree cover to percentages was not readily available. We chose communities with the highest average wind speeds and lowest tree cover to recommend for wind turbine implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Griggs-Putnam Index is an empirical method used to more accurately estimate the prevailing wind speed in a specific location in a way that average wind speed data cannot4<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Energy Storage for Wind Turbines<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similar to solar-powered systems that rely on a source that is not always fully present (sun exposure during the night or on cloudy days), wind energy is an intermittent energy source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 P = 1\/2*\u03c1*A*v^3 where \u03c1 is density, A is area of wind blowing through the wind farm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount of wind power output is proportional to the cube of wind speed. Each municipality we\u2019ve selected in the mountainous region has an average wind speed of around 10 mph, which we\u2019ve found is effective for wind energy implementation6<\/sup>. If the speed of wind was consistently around 10 mph, the wind power output would have a minimum value of around 1000 watts. However, wind is never consistent and, in fact, fluctuates; the random fluctuations in wind speed causes the power output to fluctuate, which, in return, creates issues with the system\u2019s stability and reliability6<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, there are various potential solutions to mitigate wind power fluctuation, but the most optimal we\u2019ve found is incorporating the use of ESS (Energy Storage System). The various types could be implemented into a hybrid storage system. However, many of them fail to suit wind energy in particular due to their high costs and large capacity requirements5<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of ESS<\/strong><\/td>Description<\/td>Storage Market Size 2021 (USD Million)<\/td><\/tr>
Compressed Air Energy Storage <\/td>Generated electrical energy is used to compress air, which is stored in sealed caverns underground and back-produced when required via a gas turbine9<\/sup>.\u00a0<\/td>400010<\/sup><\/td><\/tr>
Flywheel Energy Storage System<\/td>Store energy in rapidly spinning mechanical rotors9<\/sup>.<\/td>297.610<\/sup><\/td><\/tr>
Hydrogen-based Energy Storage System<\/td>A form of chemical energy storage where electrical power is converted into hydrogen11<\/sup>.<\/td>1472012<\/sup><\/td><\/tr>
Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage<\/td>Energy is stored in a magnetic field13<\/sup>.<\/td>706<\/sup><\/td><\/tr>
BESS<\/strong><\/td>Battery <\/em>Energy Storage System <\/em><\/td>510014<\/sup><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Similar to solar-powered systems, we\u2019ve found that the optimal type of ESS for wind power generation is BESS. This type of ESS is actually the most common utilized to mitigate wind power fluctuation. We found that this is so due to its easy implementation and small required amount to install. Though BESS is the best fit for wind energy systems, it is important to note that it still comes with its challenges; in order to counterbalance the often large fluctuations of wind power, BESS needs a large capacity (to be large in size), which causes capital costs to increase by a considerable amount15<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Other Things to Note<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During our research, we\u2019ve found another critical item to consider: the type of coupling between the turbines and storage system. Depending on whether the coupling is AC, DC, or both, more equipment will be required for hybridizing wind energy with energy storage, which will most likely increase the overall expense of the system16<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Example of Wind Energy and BESS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

XCel Energy, an electric utility company, has been testing a 1 MW wind energy battery storage system that directly<\/em> stores wind energy. Their system utilizes sodium sulfur battery technology<\/strong> \u2013a type of BESS which has a high storage capacity, the ability to handle many charge-recharge cycles (necessary for a fluctuating renewable energy resource), and has dyanmic responses to system changes. The particular battery in use (from NGK Insulators Ltd) is made up of 20-50 kW modules and is roughly 80 tons in mass. The battery has the ability to store around 7.2 MWh of electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the System Works<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When wind blows through, the battery is charged, and when wind dies down, the battery supplements the power flow. XCel claims that when the battery is fully charged, the system has the ability to power around 500 homes for seven hours17<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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References<\/summary>\n
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  1. WindExchange. \u201cWINDExchange: Small Wind Guidebook.\u201d Energy.gov<\/em>, 2018, windexchange.energy.gov\/small-wind-guidebook. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. \u00a0Weather Spark. \u201cThe Typical Weather Anywhere on Earth – Weather Spark.\u201d Weatherspark.com<\/em>, 2020, weatherspark.com\/. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. \u00a0Butler, Rhett. \u201cDeforestation Statistics for Puerto Rico.\u201d Mongabay<\/em>, 14 Aug. 2020, rainforests.mongabay.com\/deforestation\/archive\/Puerto_Rico.htm. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. \u00a0WindExchange. \u201cWINDExchange: Small Wind Guidebook.\u201d Energy.gov<\/em>, 2018, windexchange.energy.gov\/small-wind-guidebook. Accessed 19 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. \u201cWINDExchange: Small Wind Guidebook.\u201d http:\/\/Windexchange.energy.gov, windexchange.energy.gov\/small-wind-guidebook#enough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. de Siqueira, Luanna Maria Silva, and Wei Peng. \u201cControl Strategy to Smooth Wind Power Output Using Battery Energy Storage System: A Review.\u201d Journal of Energy Storage, vol. 35, Mar. 2021, p. 102252, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.est.2021.102252.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. \u201cBarbour, Edward, and Daniel L.F. Pottie. \u201cAdiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage Systems.\u201d Elsevier EBooks, 1 Jan. 2021, www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/engineering\/compressed-air-energy-storage#:~:text=In%20a%20CAES%20system%2C%20electrical., https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/b978-0-12-819723-3.00061-5. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. \u00a0\u201cAllied Market Research.\u201d Allied Market Research, 2021, www.alliedmarketresearch.com\/compressed-air-energy-storage-market-A31889. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. \u00a0\u201cTypes of Energy Storage – NYSERDA.\u201d NYSERDA, 2023, www.nyserda.ny.gov\/All-Programs\/Energy-Storage-Program\/Energy-Storage-for-Your-Business\/Types-of-Energy-Storage. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. \u00a0Fortune Business Insights. \u201cFlywheel Energy Storage Market Size to Hit USD 551.9 Million, at CAGR of 8.3% by 2029 | Fortune Business Insights.\u201d GlobeNewswire News Room, Fortune Business Insights, 31 Aug. 2023, www.globenewswire.com\/news-release\/2023\/08\/31\/2734922\/0\/en\/Flywheel-Energy-Storage-Market-Size-to-Hit-USD-551-9-Million-At-CAGR-of-8-3-by-2029-Fortune-Business-Insights.html. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Vahid Vahidinasab, and Mahdi Habibi. \u201cElectric Energy Storage Systems Integration in Energy Markets and Balancing Services.\u201d Elsevier EBooks, 1 Jan. 2021, pp. 287\u2013316, www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/engineering\/hydrogen-energy-storage#:~:text=Hydrogen%20energy%20storage%20is%20another,engine%20or%20a%20fuel%20cell, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/b978-0-12-820095-7.00019-4. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. \u00a0\u201cHydrogen Energy Storage Market Size, Growth, Report 2022-2030.\u201d Precedenceresearch.com, 2022, www.precedenceresearch.com\/hydrogen-energy-storage-market#:~:text=The%20global%20hydrogen%20energy%20storage,7.1%25%20from%202022%20to%202030. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Vasilis Fthenakis, and Thomas Nikolakakis. \u201cStorage Options for Photovoltaics.\u201d Elsevier EBooks, 1 Jan. 2012, pp. 199\u2013212, www.sciencedirect.com\/topics\/earth-and-planetary-sciences\/magnetic-energy-storage#:~:text=Superconducting%20magnetic%20energy%20storage%20, https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/b978-0-08-087872-0.00106-2. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. \u00a0\u201cLinkedIn.\u201d Linkedin.com, 2023, www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/superconducting-magnetic-energy-storage-smes-systems-miu1f\/. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. \u00a0\u201cBattery Energy Storage System Market – Global Size, Share & Industry Analysis [Latest].\u201d MarketsandMarkets, 2023, www.marketsandmarkets.com\/Market-Reports\/battery-energy-storage-system-market-112809494.html#:~:text=%5B287%20Pages%20Report%5D%20The%20global,expanding%20due%20to%20several%20factors. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Reilly, Jim, et al. Hybrid Distributed Wind and Battery Energy Storage Systems. 2022.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Wind-to-Battery Project – Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com\/staticfiles\/xe\/Corporate\/Environment\/wind-to-battery%20fact%20sheet.pdf.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Image: Unsplash. \u201cPhoto by American Public Power Association on Unsplash.\u201d Unsplash.com, 23 Oct. 2017, unsplash.com\/photos\/windmills-on-green-field-under-white-sky-during-daytime-eIBTh5DXW9w. Accessed 21 Nov. 2023. Power Considerations Wind speed averages and signs of flagging (the permanent deformation of trees and other vegetation by wind) can be used as an estimate to gauge what the wind looks like in specific locations, but […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":294,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"[]"},"class_list":["post-122","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/american-public-power-association-eIBTh5DXW9w-unsplash-2-600x400.jpg","featured_image_src_square":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/american-public-power-association-eIBTh5DXW9w-unsplash-2-600x600.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=122"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/122\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/terrascope2027.mit.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=122"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}