RC 204 - Introduction to Wind Energy

Wind is a key component of renewable energy power generation. Wind power is becoming an increasingly significant energy producer in both large and smaller scale projects and is increasing in new online operations each year.

This course provides the background of key factors and concepts required to understand electrical generation from wind turbines. This will enhance the opportunity for course participants to participate in the wind energy business.

Prerequisites: RC 200  or equivalent or can be taken as a co-requisite
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to

1. List the names, uses, sizes, designs, and parts of wind turbines, ending with a discussion on the advantages/disadvantages of wind turbine installations.
2. Define concepts involved with electrical components, using examples and calculations.
3. Discover wind fundamentals by reviewing what creates weather, the four levels of the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure systems, causes of wind, wind shear, and calculating wind measurements.
4. Compute swept areas.
5. Interpret graphs of power density and compute power density.
6. Discuss wind speed and turbine properties, including interpretations of turbine power and energy output graphs.
7. Describe the technologies and systems involved in limiting rotor speed.
8. Summarize tower requirements and types, turbine mountings, giving examples of installation considerations.
9. Explain components of a wind turbine electrical system, including the production of alternating and direct current, and wind turbine connection configurations.
10. Interpret and use a wind turbine power curve.

You will receive a Google gift code in an email for access to this digital textbook.  If you don’t already have a Google account, you will need to create one to access this digital textbook. You will need to have this textbook preferably before your course starts.

Optional Resource Materials:
None

Conduct of Course:
This course consists of the equivalent of 45 hours of content delivered through the Internet using an on-line learning management system called D2L/Brightspace.

Course content modules and links to some assigned readings will be available on-line. A course facilitator will be available to guide the student through the course, answer any questions, and grade assignments.

Students are expected to participate in on-line discussion forums with other classmates and the course facilitator. Assignments include on-line discussions, and assessments (on-line quizzes).

Assignments will be submitted online through D2L. Exams will be taken on-line. Deadlines for assignments and exams will be enforced in order to keep the course on schedule and completed on time.

Active participation is required in all courses within the Sustainable Energy Technology certificate and diploma programs. Each facilitator designates these requirements through the use of tools within the management system and personal contact with learners.

These expectations can be given marks as part of the assessment process. Each course outlines these expectations within the course structure.

For example, learners can be asked to demonstrate their participation/attendance through discussion forums, sharing research results, contributing relevant information, submitting assignments, communicating with colleagues and the facilitator, and participating in synchronous meetings or asynchronous activities.

Attendance is considered vital to the learning process. Absenteeism is recorded. For example, if a discussion forum is organized; the learner is expected to attend as per the guidelines set by the facilitator.

Students can request for an excused absence. An excused absence is one that is verified with your facilitator.

It is the student’s responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Content of Course:
1. Introduction

1.1 The Beginning

1.2 History of Wind Power

1.3 Current Uses of Wind Turbines

1.4 Wind Turbine Nomenclature

1.5 Environmental and Other Considerations

2. Electrical Components and Theory

2.1 Electrical Components and Theory

3. Wind Fundamentals

3.1 Sources of Wind

3.2 Other Wind Factors

3.3 Wind Speed Measurement, Wind Speed Units, Assessing Wind Availability

4. Swept Area

4.1 Swept Area

5. Power in the Wind

5.1 Power in the Wind

6. Wind Speed and Turbine Properties

6.1. Blade Aerodynamics

6.2 Wind Turbine Relationship

6.3 Sizing the Turbine

7. Blade Speed Control

7.1 Blade Speed Control

8. Towers

8.1 Tower Types and Considerations

9. Wind Turbine Connection Configurations

9.1 Wind Turbine Connection Configurations

10. Power Curves

10.1 Proper interpretation and use of a wind turbine power curve
Course Assessments:

• Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.  
• “Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”  

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant.

In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

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