Tapping the Power of Wind Energy in Coastal Delaware

Tapping the Power of Wind Energy in Coastal Delaware. . , The University of Delaware's 2-megawatt wind turbine generates clean power and represents an important contribution to renewable energy development in the United States., Clean Energy , Using wind power reduces our use of fossil fuels, which can produce several pollutants when burned to generate electricity. As a result, wind energy helps to maintain a clean environment and protect human health., This turbine provides pollution-free electricity for the university's entire Hugh R. Sharp Campus. A typical turbine of this size can power about 500 average homes., Local Benefits , At times, the turbine generates more than enough power for the campus, which houses UD's College for Earth, Ocean, and Environment. When that happens, the excess power is fed to the City of Lewes' electric grid at wholesale cost. There is no additional cost to Lewes consumers for this clean energy., Research , In addition to providing clean energy, the turbine allows researchers and students to study corrosion from salt spray, wildlife impacts, and other science, engineering, and policy issues related to renewable energy. These studies help lay the foundation for offshore wind turbines in U.S. waters., Anemometer - detects wind speed and direction for operating nacelle, Gearbox and generator - convert mechanical energy into electricity, Blades - rotate in response to the wind and are attached to the rotor hub; rotor is programmed to operate at wind speeds between 8 and 56 mph, Rotor hub - connected to a gearbox and generator inside the nacelle, Nacelle - houses the mechanical and electrical components of the turbine; sits on a rotating axis that allows it to spin and face the direction of the wind, Tower - used to elevate the nacelle, hub, and blades to reach stronger winds, Turbine facts , Model: Gamesa G90 , Tower height: 256 feet , Blade length: 144 feet , Total weight: 310 tons , Blade material: epoxy reinforced with carbon and glass fibers , Speed: 9-19 revolutions per minute , Component construction: tower and blades were manufactured and nacelle was assembled in the United States , Commission Date: June 11, 2010, Visit www.ceoe.udel.edu/LewesTurbine to learn more about the wind turbine.