Climate Change and Renewable Energy |
This page contains links to sites of interest to those taking the Part IB Selected Topic on Renewable Energy.
Thu 24 April | Lecture 1 - Hugh Hunt Synopsis and David MacKay's website Renewable Energy without the hot air . |
Fri 25 April | Lecture 2 - Michael Sutcliffe - Life-cycle analysis |
Tue 29 April | Lecture 3 - Hugh Hunt Aero-Betz |
Wed 30 April | Lectures 4, 5 and 6 - Digby Symons Wind loads |
Thu 1 May | |
Fri 2 May | |
Tue 6 May | Lectures 7, 8 and 9 - Michael Sutcliffe Blade Structure and Materials |
Wed 7 May | |
Thu 8 May | |
Fri 9 May | Examples Class |
Tue 13 May | POSTPONED. Guest Lecture 10 - Mike Wastling Evance Wind |
Wed 14 May | Lecture 11 - Michael Sutcliffe Vibration |
Thu 15 May | Lecture 12 - Digby Symons Gearboxes |
Fri 16 May | Lecture 13 - Tim Flack - Power generation handout 1 handout 2 |
Mon 19 May | NB 4pm! Guest Lecture (brought forward) - Mike Wastling Evance Wind |
Tue 20 May | Lecture 14 - Tim Flack - Power generation |
Wed 21 May | Examples Class |
1. Introduction and course overview (Hugh Hunt, David MacKay)
Introduction to the course. General overview of the issues surrounding CO2 and
global warming. The Hockey-stick curve (doom-and-gloom scenarios). How can we get
off our fossil fuel addiction? Thinking about plans that add up.
2. Aerodynamic fundamentals (Hugh Hunt)
Fundamental fluid mechanics limits to energy generating potential (Betz Limit), including the influence of size and height. Estimates of wind loading.
3-5. Wind turbine blade design (Hugh Hunt)
Design of Wind Turbines - Blade aerodynamics, loads and structure based on "Danish concept" HAWT. Aerofoil aerodynamics: lift, drag and angle of attack. Wind turbine
blade kinematics: blade rotation, wake rotation, relative wind
velocity, resolving forces. Blade element momentum theory: equating blade forces
with air flow momentum change. Blade loading: aerodynamic, centrifugal, self weight
& storm loading.
6. Life cycle analysis (Claire Barlow)
Life cycle analysis of renewable energy systems. Product life cycles: material production, manufacture & installation, use and maintenance, disposal and recycling.
Estimates of embodied energy in wind turbine systems and payback period; recycling potential for end of product life. Comparison with other renewable energy systems.
7-9. Blade structure and materials (James Talbot)
Material selection for wind turbines
(i) material selection for blades (stiffness, fatigue, mass, cost) - comparison of
materials; effect of scale
(ii) design and manufacture with composite materials
10. Small wind (Mike Wastling)
Mike will share his first-hand experience of the design and development of the 5kW Evancewind AT5-1 wind turbine. The AT5-1 is an innovative, cutting edge design with high output even at low wind speeds It is quiet, affordable, robust and durable. Iskrawind is based in Leicestershire and is the winner of 2 DTI Smart Awards.
11-12. Mechanics of wind turbines (Hugh Hunt) Gearboxes and generators - mechanical impedance matching, speed/frequency control, optimising efficiency, noise and vibration. Response to changes in wind speed and direction, furling, coning, gyroscopic effects, power dropout during transients. High wind and overspeed protection.
13-14 Power Generation (Tim Flack>
Electrical Challenges faced by the electrical engineering of wind turbines with those faced by conventional fossil-fuelled generation and the available electrical technologies for overcoming the challenges.
We look at their advantages and disadvantages and it will be seen why the wound rotor slip-ring induction machine together with a special scheme for enabling variable-speed operation is currently the preferred technology.
Selected Booklist