Question 4 Flashcards
(7 cards)
What kind of devices transform power of the wind and sun
Wind turbines, as they are now called, collect and convert the kinetic energy that wind produces into electricity to help power the grid. Wind energy is actually a byproduct of the sun. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electrical energy either through photovoltaic (PV) panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.
What are the various types of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic panels?
monocrystalline, polycrystalline, PERC, and thin-film panels.
What is the equation that defines how much power in wind and the what are most important variables?
Power (W) = 1/2 x ρ x A x v3
* Power = Watts
* ρ (rho, a Greek letter) = density of the air in kg/m3
* A = cross-sectional area of the wind in m2
* v = velocity of the wind in m/s
How do we measure the power coming from the sun?
An instrument called the Spectral Irradiance Monitor (SIM) aboard the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite monitors how much solar energy bathes Earth across a range of wavelengths from the ultraviolet to the near infrare
What components of wind turbines are undergoing rapid change in development?
WETO research has helped facilitate this transition, through the development of longer, lighter rotor blades, taller towers, more reliable drivetrains, and performance-optimizing control systems.
Which changes seem to be having the most impact in improving turbine performance?
The three main factors that influence power output are: wind speed, air density, and blade radius
How has the performance of solar panels been improved?
are lighter and do not require as much rewiring or hardware to install
