Print this page Small Wind Powered Electric Generation Systems
Jeffrey Havelin, P.E.
Course Outline
This course was designed to introduce the basic design concepts for small (residential) wind powered electric generation systems. Wind energy systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems. Depending on your wind resource, a small wind energy system can lower your electricity bill by 50% to 90%, help you avoid the high costs of extending utility power lines to remote locations, prevent power interruptions, and it is nonpolluting. Small wind electric systems can make a significant contribution to our nation's energy needs.
In 2003, the U.S. wind generating capacity increased by more than 30%. Wind power plants of various size now operate in 32 states with a total generating capacity of 6374 MW of power, enough to meet the energy needs of more than 3 million homes.
The goal of the
wind energy industry is to contribute 100 GW of wind electricity to our
Nation's energy supplies by 2020. By meeting that goal, wind energy will help
secure our
Nation's energy future and clean up our environment by displacing about 3 quadrillion
BTUs
of primary energy per year and 65 million metric tons of carbon equivalent per
year.
This course is
based entirely on the "Small Wind Electric Systems", March 2005 Publication
DOE/GO-102005-2095 - Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy by the National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, a DOE national laboratory. This course includes
a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding
of course materials. You will be quizzed on the attached document in its entirety.
Learning
Objective
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- Review wind power resource classifications;
- Review the basic parts of a small wind electric system;
- Review of Hybrid systems;
- Stand alone systems;
- Grid Connected systems; and
- Calculation
of potential energy output.
Intended
Audience
This course would
be very informative for engineers or architects who are interested in wind powered
electric generation systems.
Course
Introduction
This course was
designed to introduce the basic design concepts for small (residential) wind
powered electric generation systems. The course review, hybrid systems, stand
alone systems, and grid connected systems.
Course Content
This course is based entirely on the "Small Wind Electric
Systems", March 2005 Publication DOE/GO-102005-2095 - Produced for the
U.S. Department of Energy by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
The link to the course materials is as follows:
You need to open
or download above document to study this course.
Course Summary
At the completion
of this class the design professional should be informed about various types
of small wind powered electric systems.
Related Links
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
