Wind power - sustainable power for the
future
Sept 2013 Contributed to www.skillsworkshop.org by Maria Veselova-Smith
In this project you will:
Plan a windmill farm
Analyse a situation in Europe
Write a report based on facts and your opinion
September 2013. www.skillsworkshop.org
L1-L2 Functional Maths Contributed by Maria Veselova-Smith
Wind is a clean source of renewable energy. Wind is free and operational
costs are nearly zero once a turbine is built. The wind energy industry is
booming. Globally, generation more than quadrupled between 2006 and
2012. Industry experts predict that by 2050 one third of the world's
electricity will be provided by wind turbines.
Source: National Geographic 2013
James is a farmer in South-west England.
South-west England is one of the more exposed areas
of the UK, with average wind speeds only greater in
western Scotland. James decided to install wind
turbines that generate wind energy on some of his
farmland.
James needs to make a decision,
based on a wind rose, where to set his
wind turbines: in Avonmouth (near
Bristol) or in Plymouth.
The direction of
the wind is defined
as the direction
from which the
wind is blowing.
Questions:
1. What does the word
‘quadrupled’ mean?
2. In 2012 the global wind power
capacity reached 282 MW.
What was the global wind
power in 2006?
3. The fourth line includes the
phrase ‘one third’. Represent
‘one third’ using a diagram
and then using symbols.
Question 4: can you help him
to choose the best location?
Justify your answer.
Note: 1 megawatt (MW) = 1 000 Kilowatts (KW) = 1 000 000 watts (W)
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September 2013. www.skillsworkshop.org
L1-L2 Functional Maths Contributed by Maria Veselova-Smith
James knows that 6KW wind turbines have a rotor spanning up to 65
metres in diameter. What is the maximum number of wind turbines he
will be able to install? In which ways can he locate them and not to
disturb neighbours?
2 cm
3
cm ....and another
way?
Scale 1:10000
By selling produced
energy to the energy
company I think I will
cover my expenses and
start earning money
after seven months. Am
I right?
Installation cost of a 6kW pole-mounted system £22,000
Energy generated per year by a 6KW pole-mounted system 10,000kWh
The energy supplier pays a set rate for each unit (or kWh) of
electricity generated.
21.65p/kWh
Additional rate paid by the energy supplier for each unit (or
kWh) exported back to the electricity grid.
4.64p/kWh
Maintenance cost per year £200
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September 2013. www.skillsworkshop.org
L1-L2 Functional Maths Contributed by Maria Veselova-Smith
Going global.... UK wind power capacity 1990–2011
Source: Wikipedia, 2013 Questions:
5. Can you predict the wind power capacity in
the UK by 2020?
6. Is it more or less than official target of
28,000 MW?
7. What factors can change this prediction?
In 2012 wind generated energy provided 6% of the total
energy consumption.
Question 8:
Statistical information can be presented
using percentages or fractions. Rewrite the
sentence above using fractions instead of
percentages.
Germany, Spain and the UK are European leaders in wind power capacity.
In 2011 Germany generated 29,000 MW, while Spain generated 21,700 MW.
The UK produced around 6,000 MW in 2011
Source: The European wind energy association, 2013
The table below shows wind power as a share of the total electricity
production in the EU.
Question 9:
How can you explain, that
although Germany is a
leader in wind power
production, the largest
share of the total
electricity production is in
Denmark?
But:
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September 2013. www.skillsworkshop.org
L1-L2 Functional Maths Contributed by Maria Veselova-Smith
You have learned about wind
power in the UK and Europe.
Imagine that you need to write
an article for a local newspaper.
The purpose of the publication is
to improve the public view of
wind turbines as a part of the
landscape.
Hints:
-Statistics is a powerful tool. Do you remember that data can be represented in various
ways?
-Why not try looking on-line for extra information?
-You can start from the following websites:
-http://www.funkidslive.com/features/curious-kate/curious-facts-about-wind-power/ - key
facts about wind energy
-http://www.ewea.org/statistics/ - the European Wind Energy Association
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September 2013. www.skillsworkshop.org
L1-L2 Functional Maths Contributed by Maria Veselova-Smith
Teachers’ notes and answers:
• Slide 2. Answers: 1. the word ‘quadrupled’ means 'four times’. 2. Total energy generated by wind turbines in 2006 was 70.5MW. If students round the number, they will be able to carry out division without a calculator. 3. Students are encouraged to draw different shapes for shading 1/3. 4. The farm at Plymouth would be more suitable because there are stronger winds as well as longer periods of wind.
• Slide 3. Students will probably draw grid of 3 by 4 wind turbines. However, is this the most efficient way of locating wind turbines? How to minimize the loss of the unused area? Students can draw and/or make calculations through triangles by using Pythagoras theorem or estimation (depending on previously taught knowledge).
Calculating income: watch for a common error of converting pence into pounds. In fact it will take approximately 7 years to cover his initial expenses as well as ongoing costs.
• Slide 4. Answers 5: Students might suggest absolute (additive) comparison between years , which results in a linear relationship (e.g. Increase of 2000 MW every two years). In fact, to find the rate of increase means to find relative (multiplicative) relationship . Different approaches are valid. Some students might find the rate of the last 9 years and apply it to find the 2020 wind capacity. Others, might find the rate of the last year (e.g. every year, it will increase by 1/5) and calculate year by year. Students should be aware about limitations of modelling (various factors might affect the rate in the future) 7. E.g. Political decisions, climate change, prices for other sources of energy .9. Although Denmark produces less wind power than Germany overall, the share compared to other sources of energy is higher than in Germany. Circular diagrams of individual countries can help.
• Slide 5. This is an opportunity for a cross-curricular activity. For example, English language teachers might want to develop written skills based on the discussed and discovered mathematics.
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September 2013. www.skillsworkshop.org
L1-L2 Functional Maths Contributed by Maria Veselova-Smith
