Converting Wind to Energy:

The University of Maine at Presque Isle Wind Project

By Sumul ShahSolaya Energy (A Division of Lumus)May 14, 2009

Agenda

• What is Wind Energy?• What is a Wind Turbine?• How are Wind Projects Planned?• How did we build this turbine for the University of

Maine at Presque Isle?

What is Wind Energy?

Wind power, geothermal energy and solar energy all come from the sun

The global wind belts are formed by two main factors: the unequal heating of the earth by sunlight and the earth's spin.

Changes in surface temperatures cause areas of high and low pressures that influence or local wind conditions.

Wind is caused by air flowing from areas of high pressure to low pressure. The direction is influenced by the Earth’s rotation.

Coastal Winds are generated because land temperatures change faster than water temperatures. Can result in windy conditions.

Warm air heats faster over land thus rising into the air

Cool ocean air moves in

Mountains can cause areas of high or low winds due to uneven heating & cooling of surfaces and from terrain roughness

What is a Wind Turbine?

Having a bigger rotor with more area allows for more of the wind energy to be captured by the turbine.

To capture this wind, wind turbines are increasing in size. Today turbines have increased 5-15 times from the 1980s.

The power of the cube – increases in wind speed exponentially increase power output. Turbine height also increases output.

Early windmills were simply pushed by the wind. Aerodynamic drag caused a loss on more than 2/3 of the wind’s energy.

Today, the shape of the blades have been designed to provide better efficiency and produce more generation by using aerodynamic lift.

The turbine components are:– The rotor (blades)– The hub which connects the

blades– The nacelle which houses

the gearbox, generator, and controls

– The tower which supports the turbine

– A transformer which converts energy from the turbine to electricity useable by the grid

The nacelle sits on top of the tower and houses the gearbox, generator, controller and brakes.

Wind turbines feed their electricity into the electrical grid. The transformer alters the 690V to a voltage comparable to the grid it’s serving.

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University Building

Computer control (SCADA) systems collect data & ensure that the turbine is achieving optimal performance

How are wind projects planned?

Meteorological Data (MET) Towers are used for site evaluation and development or wind projects. The data logged includes wind speed and direction, air pressure, and temperature.

Mapping is used for determining turbine locations and calculating annual energy output.

Permitting wind projects is to ensure compliance with existing laws, regulations, and environmental protection.

Financing wind projects varies depending on equipment and construction costs. Advances in wind have dramatically cut costs.

How did we build this turbine for the University?

First a road was constructed by the Maine Army National Guard in order to provide access to the site

Ten 40’ steel bolts were drilled and secured with epoxy to anchor the foundation to the bedrock below the ground.

Over 10,000 pounds of reinforcing steel and anchors were installed to provide strength for the foundation.

The foundation was covered and heated to prevent freezing and cracking during construction and curing

88 Cubic yards of concrete were poured to serve as the base for the turbine

While the foundation cured in Maine, our technicians were busy inspecting the turbines as they were completed in Chennai, India

Our engineers oversaw the road transportation across India and the loading process onto the ships at the docks in Mumbai.

Soon thereafter, the tower sections were transported from the factory in North Dakota to the project site.

After receiving all of the turbine components the tower sections were placed on the foundation and bolted together

Next, the nacelle went up and was secured to the tower.

Meanwhile, crews on the ground worked diligently to assemble the rotor so it could be lifted in one piece.

The final step of the erection process was to lift the rotor to be attached to the nacelle.

Attaching the rotor to the nacelle is delicate work.

University of Maine at Presque Isle’s wind turbine.

Sumul Shah, President, Solaya Energy, Woburn, MA 781-935-5600 sumul@solayaenergy.com

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