Meteorology 211 - Assignment 4

Meteorology 211
Spring Quarter 2011
Homework Assignment #4


Due Date: Friday, May 27


Answer the following questions based on the assigned reading and classroom discussions.  Answers must be typed. Please use complete sentences.


[For the first two questions, please go back and re-read pages 28-31 in chapter 2 (about ozone).]


1)  What are halocarbons, and what effect can they have on ozone concentrations in the stratosphere?
    
Halocarbons are certain chlorine-, fluorine-, and bromine- containing compounds, which destroy the ozone. The best known compound chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). In the stratosphere UV radiation breaks down CFCs releasing free chlorine atoms. Chlorine then reacts with ozone to form chlorine monoxide (ClO) and ordinary (molecular) oxygen, when chlorine monoxide meets a single oxygen atom, free chlorine forms again.






2)  How would you respond to a person who says: “We have to fix the hole in the ozone layer because it’s letting too much extra heat from the Sun through and is causing global warming.”
   
The ozone is not really a layer, rather similar to clouds that drift. Therefore an “ozone hole” is actually a region of low ozone concentration.






3)  Examine the lower panel (labeled b) on Figure 9.1 on page 176 of the textbook. Notice that the black curve and the blue curve are not in close agreement after about the middle of the 20th century. What does that difference signify?


The difference in the black and blue curve after the 20th century is because anthropogenic forcing was not taken into account and it was roughly the time period in which the industrial revolution and use of fossil fuel was increasing. The models required the input of anthropogenic forcing, specifically those due to greenhouse gases and aerosols.






4)  In class, and in the course module, I refer to “business as usual”. In the context of climate change issues, what does that mean? In your own personal opinion (no right or wrong answers here), do you think human society will continue to do “business as usual”? If so, for how long?

 
The expression “business as usual” refers to society continuing to do the same things they are doing (extreme use of fossil fuels, release of greenhouse gases, etc…) without concern for what is happening (global warming). I think society will continue business as usual as long as they are not being affected directly by it. (out of sight out of mind basically)




5)  What are “emission scenarios”, and why is it necessary to do multiple climate model runs using different scenarios?


“Scenarios are [alternative] images of the future…They are neither predictions nor forecasts. Rather, each scenario is on alternative image of how the future might unfold.” (Mathez 2009, PG 178). It is necessary to do multiple climate model runs using different scenarios because of the widely varying future world.






6)  In general, how are worldwide precipitation patterns expected to change during the rest of this century, based on climate model predictions?




Precipitation patterns are projected to change, with large increase in rainfall in equatorial regions, less precipitation in the mid-latitudes, and somewhat greater precipitation at high latitudes. The changes in precipitation patterns are reflected in the changes in air pressure.

Meteorology 211 - Assignment 5

Meteorology 211

Spring Quarter 2011

Homework Assignment #5

 

Due Date: Friday, June 10

 

Answer the following questions based on the assigned reading and classroom discussions.  Answers must be typed. Please use complete sentences.

 

1)  As of 2005, what percent of the global total energy production was accounted for by fossil fuels? What percent of the total did renewable energy contribute?

    

In 2005, more than 3/4 of total global energy production was through the use of fossil fuels. Petroleum led with over 43.4 percent of the global total, followed by natural gas (15.6 percent) and coal (8.3 percent). North America is the largest consumer of fossil fuels, utilizing nearly 25 percent of global resources.

2)  Why is coal considered to be the “dirtiest” fossil fuel?

   

Coal is considered to be the "dirtiest" fossil fuel because of the great amount of greenhouse gases they emit. Even the so call "clean coal" where they say that washing coal reduces the sulfur and other pollution causing minerals during combustion, however the washing process yields large quantities of waste containing high concentrations of dangerous pollutants that must be disposed of somewhere. Large waste piles are often left exposed to the elements where rain washes through the waste piles, picks up heavy metals and other pollutants, and becomes a toxic runoff that eventually contaminates ground water and streams. After burning, coal ash is often stored in loosely regulated ponds where toxins such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and heavy metals create yet another toxic soup

3)  a. What is carbon sequestration?

     b. What are some of the uncertainties and potential problems with carbon

         sequestration?

(a)Carbon sequestration is the capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and may refer specifically to:

-The process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir. (When carried out deliberately, this may also be referred to as carbon dioxide removal, which is a form of geo-engineering.)

-The process of carbon capture and storage, where carbon dioxide is removed from flue gases, such as on power stations, before being stored in underground reservoirs.

-Natural biogeochemical cycling of carbon between the atmosphere and reservoirs, such as by chemical weathering of rocks.

(b)Some uncertainties and potential problems of carbon sequestration are:

-Carbon dioxide that is stored deep underground where hydrostatic pressure acts to keep it in a liquid state, however reservoir design faults, rock fissures and tectonic processes may act to release the gas stored into the ocean or atmosphere.

-Financial cost of the use of the technology would add an additional 1-5 cents of cost per kilowatt hour, according to estimate made by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The financial costs of modern coal technology would nearly double if use of CCS technology were to be implemented.

4)  a. What are the four issues that must be overcome in order for nuclear

         power to expand into a major power source to replace fossil fuels?

     b. Which of these issues concerns you the most? (your opinion)

 

(a) The four issues that must be overcome in order for nuclear power to expand to a major source of power are:

-Costs: nuclear power has higher overall lifetime costs compared to natural gas with combined cycle turbine technology (CCGT) and coal, at least in the absence of a carbon tax or an equivalent “cap and trade” mechanism for reducing carbon emissions.

-Safety: nuclear power has perceived adverse safety, environmental, and health effects, There is also growing concern about the safe and secure transportation of nuclear materials and the security of nuclear facilities from terrorist attack.

-Proliferation: nuclear power entails potential security risks, notably the possible misuse of commercial or associated nuclear facilities and operations to acquire technology or materials as a precursor to the acquisition of a nuclear weapons capability. Fuel cycles that involve the chemical reprocessing of spent fuel to separate weapons-usable plutonium and uranium enrichment technologies are of special concern, especially as nuclear power

spreads around the world.

-Waste: nuclear power has unresolved challenges in long-term management of radioactive wastes. The United States and other countries have yet to implement final disposition of spent fuel or high level radioactive waste streams created at various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle.

(source: http://web.mit.edu/nuclearpower/pdf/nuclearpower-ch1-3.pdf)

5)  a. What are some of the practical advantages and disadvantages of wind and

         solar power as renewable energy sources?

     b. If you had some extra money to invest in one of these two energy sources,

         which would you invest in, and why?

 

(a) The practical advantages of  wind and solar power is that it is renewable and over a period of time (the time for you to produce enough energy to pay for the equipment) very cost effective, and eco-friendly in terms of no greenhouse gas emissions.

disadvantages are space and wind turbine requires 1 acre of land, the wind doesn't blow all the time and the sun doesn't shine all the time... however there is a possibility of hooking up to a grid and selling unused energy back to the power company and having it supplied back to you when solar and wind aren't available.

(b) I would choose wind power if I had extra cash laying around because I did an engineering project for designing and implementing a wind turbine...so I could do it more cheaply...as well as there doesn't seem to be a lot of sun in Washington!

6)  What does the author mean on page 215 when he says there is “no silver bullet” when it comes to getting rid of greenhouse gas emissions?

 

The author means by there is "no silver bullet" that there is no easy fix and not quick fix in correcting and improving the problem in greenhouse gas emissions.  

International Business Brief - Summary of Articles

Jessica Rush 

Bus& 101[Symbol]11:30A-12:20P 

Summary 

Siemens Rides the Offshore Winds 

Siemens the German engineering giant entered the wind energy market in 2004, since they found their wind powered niche. Siemens is no. 1 in the offshore wind market, sixth place globally. Though behind wind energy leaders Vestas and General Electric, thanks to their “nautical niche,” Siemens now accounts for 7% of the market.  

Siemens specifically focus the use of their turbines and related gear for use offshore rather than on. They have won major orders for offshore projects; one such is a $4 billion deal to supply 500 Turbines to Denmark’s Dong Energy for the North Sea. Siemens hopes to protect its sea status with new technologies such as a floating platform and a direct-drive system. The German giant is broadening its focus with a goal of becoming the No. 3 producer of wind turbine globally by 2012. 

New Offshore Wind Agreement between Dong Energy and Siemens 

Since 1991 when Siemens and Dong Energy partnered to construct the world’s first offshore wind farm at Vindeby, Denmark, their co-operation has continued to grow.  In March 2009 Dong Energy and Siemens Energy sector entered into an agreement for the supply of up to 500 offshore turbines with a total capacity of up to 1800MW. Under the agreement Siemens has supplied approximately 1000MW with two offshore wind projects in the UK. 

Dong Energy and Siemens expanded the supply agreement with the addition of the Lincs project, located in the UK in the North Sea. Siemens was chosen as the design-build contractor for grid connection, which will include an offshore substation, an onshore substation and lying of cables onshore. Siemens is set to deliver 75 3.6MW turbines to the 270MW offshore project Lincs. 

Wind Turbine Design and Implementation

Wind Turbine Design and Implementation 

Project Proposal 

Prepared for: Tim Hanson and Sonia Michaels 

Prepared by: Jessica Rush 

4/28/2010[Page Break] 

[Content Control]

Significance of Problem: 

As a low-income individual you have expressed your concern to me about the ever raising power cost. It appears you have taken steps to reduce your electrical consumption by: weatherization of your home and the use of gas for heating and cooking. However your bill continues to be very high. One option to offset you power costs is the implementation of a renewable resource.  

Living here in Snoqualmie, WA you have probably noticed the abundant wind resource, available right in your backyard. I would like to offer my services in researching and designing a “small-Scale” wind turbine, to help offset your power consumption. In doing research I on this subject I believe it is important to take into consideration: 

• Manufactures of wind turbines (to see if it is cheaper and easier to invest in a pre-built and installed turbine) 
• Building Materials 
• Recommended output for power consumption 
• Dimensions 
• Grid interconnection 
• Building Codes and City Ordinances 
• Mathematics involved  

Qualifications: 

I am currently attending Bellevue College in pursuit of an AA in Networking and Computing Systems, with the intent of transferring credit to Eastern Washington University for a BA in Applied Technology, as well as a Future Engineering degree. I am currently enrolled in Computer Aided Design 1 at Bellevue College as well as a Technical writing class and a group communications class.  

I have some experience with CAD programs, and have designed a small scale Wind Turbine Prototype for the R.U.S.H project.  

Project Methods: 

In doing research I will hit key points such as: 

• Manufactures of wind turbines (to see if it is cheaper and easier to invest in a pre-built and installed turbine) 
• Building Materials 
• Recommended output for power consumption 
• Dimensions 
• Grid interconnection 
• Building Codes and City Ordinances 
• Mathematics involved  

I will be using several resources including: 

• Web sites 

• Otherpower.com 
• www.scoraigwind.com 
• www.awea.org 
• www.windenergy.com/index_wind.htm 
• www.quietrevolution.co.uk/index.htm 

• EbsocHost ( professional journals)  
• Interviews (NO RESPONSE) 

• Puget Sound Energy 
• All Star Heating and Air Conditioning (local dealer of Skystream wind turbines) 

• As Well as several books 

Introduction to Wind Power: 

Wind Energy and Wind Power refer to the kinetic energy present in the wind into mechanical power or electricity.  Wind Turbine operation Is simple, the energy from the wind rotates two or three propeller-like blades (in a horizontal-axis turbine) around a rotor, the rotor is connected to a main shaft that spins a generator to produce power. 

Modern wind turbines are characterized by two categories: Horizontal-axis, and Vertical-axis. Horizontal-axis wind turbines typically have two or three blades that resemble plane propellers, rotating around a horizontal axis. Most modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines. Vertical-axis wind turbines have blades that go from top to bottom, and resemble an eggbeater, and rotate around a vertical axis. “The most common type-the Darrieus wind turbine, named after the French engineer Georges Darrieus who patented the design in 1991.” (Renewable Wind, Energy Information Administration 2010) Many modern turbine manufactures claim that the vertical-axis turbines are quieter and more efficient in the urban, city environment.  

Issues with Urban Residental Wind Turbine Use: 

In many urban areas there are laws and ordinances that must be followed when building or installing a wind turbine. The following issues are key components of land use law, as well as public acceptance of small wind systems, and are critical for the successful placement of a turbine: 

1. Setback Distances and Height 

2. Lot Size 

3. Aesthetics 

4. Sound 

5. Property Values 

6. Insurance 

7. Abandonment 

8. Multiple Turbines 

9. Urban and Building-Integrated 

Installations 

10. Potential of Structural or 

Electrical Failure 

11. Soil Studies 

(In the public interest: How and why to permit for small wind systems, American Wind Energy Association, September 2008) 

Setback distance and height requirements are commonly the turbine total extent height, which is the tower height plus one blade. The setback distance is the distance from the property line. Most common residential lot size requirements for wind turbines are limited to 80 feet tall, and 0.5-1.0 acre lot. These requirements are far stricter than the Aesthetics issue. With Wind power being an image of “green” consumers and neighbors do not want wind turbines to “stick out like a sore thumb.”  

Another issue that is of common concern in wind turbine installation in residential areas is Sound. Most modern wind turbine have far better insulation as well as lower rotation speeds, fewer moving parts, no gearboxes, and more efficient blade design than previous turbines. With setback distances the noise is very limited. 

Parts of a Wind Turbine: 

[Picture] 

There are several small parts and gears inside of a wind turbine. The parts include: 

Anemometer: measures the wind speed and transmits wind speed data to the controller.  

Blades: Most turbines have “propeller-like” blades that are fabricated out of fiberglass, metal or wood. Wind blowing over the blades causes the blades to “lift” and rotate. 

Brake: In case of emergencies such as extreme high winds, a disc brake is applied mechanically, electrically, or hydraulically to stop the rotor. 

Controller: Starts the machine at wind speeds of around 8-16 miles per hour and shuts off the machine at speeds of about 55 mph. 

Gear Box: Gears connect the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft and increase the rotational speeds from about 30 to 60 rotations per minute to about 1000 to 1800 rpm, the rotational speed required by most generators to produce electricity. 

Generator: Usually an off-the-shelf induction generator that produces 60-cycle AC electricity. 

High-Speed shaft: Drives the generator. 

Low-Speed shaft: The rotor turns the low-speed shaft at about 30-60 rotations per minute. 

Nacelle: Sits atop the tower and contains the gear box, low- and high- speed shafts, generator, controller, and brake. 

Pitch: Blades are turned, or pitched, out of the wind to control the rotor speed. 

Rotor: The blades and the hub together are called the rotor. 

Tower: Taller towers enable turbines to capture more energy and generate more electricity because wind speed increase with height. 

Wind vane: measures wind direction and communicate with the yaw drive to orient the turbine properly with respect to the wind. 

Yaw drive: Upwind turbines face into the wind; the yaw drive is used to keep the rotor facing into the wind as the wind direction changes. 

Yaw motor: Powers the yaw drive. 

Blades: design and theory: 

The blades are the most important and most difficult part of a wind turbine. The energy produced depends on the swept area more than it does on the alternator 

Maximum output. (How to build a Wind Turbine, Hugh Piggott May 2003) There are several important equations to remember for the blades which include: the formula for the power in the area swept by the wind turbine rotor [P=0.5*rho*A*Vcubed) (P=power in watts (746watts=1hp, 1000watts=1kilowatt) rho=air density (about 1.225 kg/mcubed at sea level, less higher up), A=rotor swept area, exposed to the wind (m squared),V= wind speed in meter/sec (20mph= 9m/s, mph/2.24=m/s)] 

There are several steps in creating the blades. The blade shape is produced through a series of cuts at stations along the length of the blade. At each station the blade has ‘cord width’, ‘blade angle’, and ‘thicknesses. The first step is to produce a tapered shape. Any rotor designed to run at tip speed 7 would need to have a similar shape, regardless of size. The dimensions are simply scaled up or down to suit the chosen diameter.  These measurements are for an eight foot rotor.[Picture] The second step is to produce the twisted windward face; the third step is to cut the thickness.  The following tables show the width, drop ( the drop is the measurement from the face to the trailing edge of the blade), and thickness at each station along the length of the blade. 

Pieces	Material		Length	Width		Thick
3	Wood, fiberglass, metal		1200mm	150mm		37mm
Station		width
1		6’’			150mm
2		4 ¾’’			120mm
3		3 15/16’’			100mm
4		3 1/8’’			80mm
5		2 ¾’’			70mm
6		2 3/8’’			60mm
Station		Drop
1		1 ½’’			37mm
2		1’’			25mm
3		7/16’’			12mm
4		¼’’			6mm
5		1/8’’			3mm
6		1/16’’			2mm
Station		Thickness
1		1 3/8			36mm
2		15/16			25mm
3		½			13mm
4		3/8			10mm
5		5/16			8mm
6		¼			7mm

[Picture] 

Rotor Hub: 

Pieces	Material	Diameter	Thich
2 disks	Wood, metal	10 inches, 250mm	½’’, 13mm

The rotor Hub consists of two disks that are placed one on each side of the blades. 27 equally spaced screw holes should be drilled, 9 for each blade.  

[Picture] 

Alternator Theory and Design: 

The alternator consists of a stator disk sandwiched between two magnet rotors. Strong magnetic flux passed between the two rotors and through the coils in the Stator. The movement of the rotors sweeps the flu across the coils, producing alternating voltages in them. (How to build a Wind Turbine, Hugh Piggott, May 2003) A cheap and inexpensive way to find an alternator is to pick up a few from a junk yard out of some cars. GM alternators work well for this application.  

[Picture] 

Tower Construction: 

There are three types of tower construction, Guyed, Lattice, stand-alone. It is common for towers to be 80 feet to 120feet height. The wind closer to the ground is more turbulent.  

[Picture] 

[Picture] 

Grid-Interconnect: 

It is possible to connect a wind turbine to a residence that already has grid power. Typically a special meter is installed, that lets the meter roll back in times wind the turbine is producing more than is consumed. 

Pre-Built Wind Turbine Manufactures: 

There are several wind turbine manufactures. Manufactures that make all different sizes of wind turbines. Small residential size such as Skystream, to large industrial size such as GE and Vista or Siemens. 

SkyStream: 

Technical Specifications 

Rated Capacity 2.4 kW  

Rotor Diameter 12 ft (3.72 m) 

Weight 170 lb (77 kg) 

Swept Area 115.7 ft2 (10.87 m2) 

Type Downwind rotor with stall regulation control 

Direction of Rotation Clockwise looking upwind 

Blades (3) Fiberglass reinforced composite 

Rated Speed 50 - 330 rpm 

Maximum Tip Speed 216.5 ft/s (66 m/s) 

Alternator Slotless permanent magnet brushless 

Yaw Control Passive 

Grid Feeding 120/240 VAC Split 1 Ph, 60 Hz 120/208 VAC 3 Ph compatible, 60 Hz check with dealer for other configurations)  

Battery Charging Battery Charge Controller kit available for battery charging systems Braking System electronic stall regulation with redundant relay switch control 

Cut-in Wind Speed 8 mph (3.5 m/s) 

Rated Wind Speed 29 mph (13 m/s) 

User Monitoring Wireless 2-way interface  

Survival Wind Speed 140 mph (63 m/s) 

Warranty 5 year limited warranty  

Skystream can be purchase from an authorized dealer in Fall City, WA. All Star Heating 

P.O. Box 70 

Fall City Wa. 98024 

425.222.7652 

425.222.7949 Fax 

general@allstar-hvac.com 

Recommendations: 

My recommendations are if you have the money to invest it is better to go with a pre-built wind turbine that has been tested and guaranteed. Building your own wind turbine is difficult, and you don’t always know the expected outcome. 

However my recommendations on building your own wind turbine are to pay close attention to the blade design. I recommend a 32FT diameter turbine modeled off from the dimensions in the examples. 

Work Cited: 

How to Build a wind turbine by Hugh Piggot May 2003 

Wind Rotor blade construction by teodoro sanchez campos ITDG 

http://www1.eere.gov/windandhydro/printable_versions/wind_hot.html 2010 

http://www1.eere.gov/windandhydro/printable_versions/wind_animato.html 2010 

http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energy.cfm?page=wind_home-basic-k.cfm2010 

Prototype 11Kw wind turbine By Simon Brookes December 12, 2005 

http://allstar-hvac.com/Solar%20and%20Wind.htm 

http://www.windenergy.com/documents/spec_sheets/3-CMLT-1338-01_Skystream_spec.pdf 

In the public interest How and why to permit small wind energy.American Wind Energy Assoxiates 

Small wind electric system, Washington consumer guide. 

http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/Wind/wind.htm#DIYWind