BGE - Engineering Science - Wind Turbine

E N E R G Y WHERE DOES OUR ENERGY COME FROM? OIL

NATURAL GAS

COAL NUCLEAR

WOOD

MOST OF THESE ENERGY SOURCES ARE KNOWN AS FOSSIL FUELS

Conserving resources  Fossil fuels are limited (they will run out)  This type of fuel is known as Non-Renewable or Finite  Apart from running out, using fossil fuels brings other problems

Environmental Issues  Greenhouse Effect  Most of world power derived from Fossil Fuels  Burning these fuels releases Carbon Dioxide  This creates what is known as the Greenhouse Effect

 Acid Rain    

Burning Coal releases sulphur and nitrogen Rainwater falls through these oxides in the atmosphere This produces sulphuric and nitric acids This poisons lakes and effects plant and animal growth

 Oil Pollution  Moved in vast tankers  Old vessels are single hulled and when bumped vent their cargo destroying Eco systems

PUPIL TASKS

Task 1

Using the internet, search for information on renewable, non renewable energy and sustainable energy. Collect images and some text about each. Using Photoshop or Word, create an A3 poster which explains the good or bad points about each energy source, Non and renewable. This web site might help! www.our-energy.com/renewable_energy_sources.html

Task 2 In your group, discuss what you think sustainable energy means.

When you are happy with your explanation, write your answer on your worksheet. (Click here to open the worksheet) Remember to save it to your server) Task 3 (a) & (b) In your group, discuss why it is important to use sustainable energy sources. Write your answer on your worksheet. Then complete Task 3 (b) on the worksheet.

PUPIL TASKS Task 4 In your group, create a PowerPoint presentation of your findings. This might include graphics, text, sound or video.

In your group, you will present your findings to the class. So you will need to assign jobs to each member of your group.

Good Luck

USING RESOURCES SENSIBLY Okay, we now know why we need to look after our FINITE energy resources. So here is your GREEN task.

Working as a team, you are to design and make a Wind Turbine and its supporting structure.

Resources Available: 1 Small Motor 1 Axle rod 2 metres of 6mm x 6mm wood 1 A5 sheet of aluminium 1 Electrical wire 1 LED Click here to open the Specification Worksheet.

Structures Research Before you can build your wind turbine and structure, you need to research how different SHAPES behave when they have FORCES applied to them.

Click on the link below and work your way through the Forces, Loads, Materials and Shapes animations.

www.pbs.org/wgbh/buildingbig/lab/shapes.html Now have a look at the BRIDGES section. What shapes do you see repeating themselves in the bridge designs?

What shapes will your structure use?

Shape, Force, Load and Material

Now answer the questions on the Structures Worksheet.

Click on the link below to open the Worksheet

STRUCTURES WORKSHEET

Blade Design You are allowed 1 sheet of A4 card and 1 A6 sheet of aluminium to design and create your turbine blade.

Use the internet to collect some ideas for your blades.

Blade Design When you are happy with your blade design, model it from card.

When you have checked out your model, cut your blade from the aluminium sheet. Take a photograph of the blade and place a copy of the image in the box below.

Completed Wind Turbine After constructing and testing your turbine, take a digital photograph and paste it in the box below.

EVALUATION Evaluate your wind turbine against your specification, then mark it out of 10

MARKS

/10