Wind Energy Tech.

1. In 2009, what country has the most installed wind capacity in the
world? As of today?
According to the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), in 2009, the
United States were the most installed wind capacity in the world with a
total capacity of 35,159.0 MW by the end of 2009. However, according
with the database from the end of 2013, China is the most installed
wind capacity in the world with a total capacity of 91,324.0 MW. On the
other hand, the United States occupy the second place with a total
capacity of 61,108.0 MW.
2. What state currently produces the most energy from wind?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), by the
end of 2013, Texas is the state that is in the first place of the wind
power generation with around 36MWh of electricity.
3. What is the instrument that is most commonly used to measure
wind velocity?
The anemometer.
4. Name the two main types or classifications of wind turbines used
in electrical production? Give the main
advantages/disadvantages of each type.
There are two types of wind turbines: the horizontal axis and the
vertical axis.
Advantages of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT):
The most HAWTs are self-starting; the tall tower ables to increase the
production of energy because they have access to stronger winds.
Disadvantages of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT):
Their pieces are difficult to transport; the operation on the ground is
difficult too.
Anyway, the Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines are the most common in
wind energy.
Advantages of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT):
They are installed near to the ground, being easier to do some
necessary operations; the blades are always working.

Disadvantages of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT):

Their blades are closer to the ground which can limit the wind speed;
the turbulent flow near to the ground can create issues of vibration.
5. Explain the difference between downwind- and upwind-machines.
Explain advantages/disadvantages of one over the other.

Downwind machines are machines that the blades are moving in the
direction of the wind. In contrast, upwind machines are machines that
the blades are moving against the wind.
Advantage of Downwind machines: The wind itself can control the yaw
of the blades.
Disadvantage of Downwind machines: Because of the wind direction on
the blades which can cause oscillations of the blades behind the tower,
the blades may suffer a stress and broke. It is a big problem, because it
can reduce the output power. That is why upwind machines are most
commonly used.
Advantage of Upwind machines: The effect of the wind direction seen
as a disadvantage in downwind machines is not a disadvantage in the
upwind machines because the passage of air through the blades will be
softer, and the production of power is higher.
Disadvantage of Upwind machines: As opposed downwind machines,
the upwind machines need complex yaw control systems to keep the
blades in the right direction.

6. Explain the advantages/disadvantages of two vs. three blade

designs.
While the two blades are easy and cheap to install, and they operate at
high speed because of the higher rotor speed, the three blades are
more difficult and expensive to install, and they operate with lower
rotor speed. On the other hand, the three blades can deliver more
power, and their operation is quieter, while the two blades suffer more
physical impact on the speed of the winds, tending to tire and make
more noise.

References:
http://www.wwindea.org/home/images/stories/worldwindenergyreport2
009_s.pdf
http://www.wwindea.org/webimages/WWEA_WWER2013_Countries.pdf
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=15851

http://colortheearthturquoise.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/horizontaland-vertical-axis-wind-turbines-1.pdf