http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/wind_energy/ Wind Energy Information. From offshore wind turbines to understanding wind turbulence, learn all about using the wind to our advantage. Also, wind testing buildings. en-us Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:05:01 EDT Sat, 11 Jul 2009 04:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/wind_energy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616103217.htm How much usable energy do wind turbines produce? It is a question that perplexes engineers and frustrates potential users, especially on windless days. A new study provides a formula for answering this vexing question. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616103217.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102038.htm In the future, will wind power tapped by high-flying kites light up New York? A new study identifies New York as a prime location for exploiting high-altitude winds, which globally contain enough energy to meet world demand 100 times over. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102038.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144213.htm Experts have evaluated the best building design and construction practices to reduce wind pressures on building surfaces and to resist high winds and hurricanes in residential or commercial construction. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615144213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092526.htm Tensairity elements made of air filled membrane assemblies, rods and cables have already made a name for themselves in the construction world as extremely light yet strong load-bearing structures. But is this new technology also suitable for use in the aerospace industry, for example to create novel wings for kites? Researchers are now demonstrating their first flying models. Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528092526.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084721.htm Wings which redirect air to waggle sideways could cut airline fuel bills by 20% according to new research. Fri, 22 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090521084721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090508093937.htm The first German offshore wind facility is expected be put into operation sometime in 2009. A total of 12 giant wind turbines out at the North Sea will turn near the isle of Borkum, each one generating 5 megawatts of power, the largest worldwide. The electrical current they will produce will be conveyed over a distance of 45 km past Norderney to the mainland, at a depth of two to three meters buried in the seafloor. Mon, 11 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090508093937.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501154141.htm Researchers have developed a technique that uses sensors and computational software to constantly monitor forces exerted on wind turbine blades, a step toward improving efficiency by adjusting for rapidly changing wind conditions. Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501154141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430081233.htm Scientists have invented a new method for predicting the wind speed of wind farm aerogenerators. The system is based on combining the use of weather forecasting models and artificial neural networks and enables researchers to calculate the energy that wind farms will produce two days in advance. Wed, 06 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430081233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323161223.htm What makes parachuting dangerous? Some people think that it is the risk that the parachute won't open, but new research shows that carelessness or lack of skill in controlling your body or your parachute through the air is considerably more dangerous. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323161223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311085155.htm The trailing edge of wind turbine blades can be manufactured in an elastic material that makes it possible to control the shape of the trailing edge. This will reduce the considerably dynamic loads that large wind turbine blades are exposed to during operation. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311085155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090302112227.htm Helicopters today are considered a loud, bumpy and inefficient mode for day-to-day domestic travel--best reserved for medical emergencies, traffic reporting and hovering over celebrity weddings. But NASA research into rotor blades made with shape-changing materials could change that view. Twenty years from now, large rotorcraft could be making short hops between cities such as New York and Washington, carrying as many as 100 passengers at a time in comfort and safety. Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090302112227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226082350.htm With a new 3D-model for energy simulation scientists are studying the 'physical mystery' of the Voyager spacecraft. Over 30 years ago the spacecraft detected particles in solar wind which were 'hotter' than they should have been according to the existing theory expounded by the mathematician Andrey Kolmogorov in 1941. Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226082350.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223083344.htm Dutch power stations are able to cope at any time in the future with variations in demand for electricity and supply of wind power, as long as use is made of up-to-date wind forecasts. Researchers demonstrate that there is no need for energy storage facilities. Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090223083344.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210134817.htm Dispersed wind farms and solar panels on people’s homes are posing new challenges for managing power grids that were designed when all electricity was generated in centralized plants. A new semantic web technology promises a solution. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090210134817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119081348.htm The material of wind energy converters must withstand intense forces. Are rotor blades damaged? A new robot inspects wind energy converters more precisely than a human ever could. It detects the minutest damage – even below the surface. Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119081348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119112654.htm After nearly two years of development and production, the day had arrived: the "Citius" bobsleigh went into the wind tunnel. The tests exceeded expectations. Now the next hurdle must be cleared: the ice track. Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090119112654.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107092724.htm A way to make wind power smoother and more efficient that exploits the inertia of a wind turbine rotor could help solve the problem of wind speed variation, according to new research. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090107092724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215074644.htm Wind and wave data from ESA's Envisat satellite radar are being used to observe meteorological conditions in the track of the Vendee Globe solo round-the-world yacht race. Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081215074644.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081210171908.htm Biofuels, nuclear energy and coal are the worst choices for energy alternatives to petroleum products and wind, solar, geothermal, tides and waves are the best, according to results from the first quantitative, scientific evaluation of the proposed, major, energy-related solutions that assesses not only their potential for delivering energy for electricity and vehicles, but also their impacts on global warming, human health, energy security, water supply, space requirements, wildlife, water pollution, reliability and sustainability. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081210171908.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081121125604.htm Slow-moving ocean and river currents could be a new, reliable and affordable alternative energy source. Engineers have made a machine that works like a fish to turn potentially destructive vibrations in fluid flows into clean, renewable power. Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081121125604.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113111343.htm Engineers in Spain have developed an algorithm that can optimize hybrid electricity generation systems through combined use of renewable energies, such as photovoltaic and wind power, and non-renewables, such as diesel. Their study envisions storing the energy in batteries or hydrogen tanks. Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/11/081113111343.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081001093500.htm Wind farms pose less of a threat to farmland birds than previously feared, new research has found. The study helps resolve a potentially major environmental conflict: how to meet renewable energy targets at the same time as reversing dramatic declines in biodiversity on European farmland. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081001093500.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916143910.htm Engineers and scientists have achieved a breakthrough in the use of a one-atom thick structure called "graphene" as a new carbon-based material for storing electrical charge in ultracapacitor devices, perhaps paving the way for the massive installation of renewable energies such as wind and solar power. Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080916143910.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902102534.htm A young researcher has put forward two protection techniques so that wind generators continue to be operative despite breaks in electricity supply. Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902102534.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827104702.htm The solely wind-driven Ventomobile constructed by a team of students in aerospace engineering came in first at the Aeolus Race in the Dutch town of Den Helder last Friday. Racing the extremely stylish and lightweight three-wheeler, the vehicles of five European universities and research centres had difficulties to catch up. Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080827104702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825132107.htm Power-generating wind turbines have long been recognized as a potentially life-threatening hazard for birds. But at most wind facilities, bats actually die in much greater numbers. Now, researchers think they know why. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825132107.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103529.htm This week, inaugural tests at The University of Western Ontario's 'Three Little Pigs' project at the Insurance Research Lab for Better Homes will get underway. This facility is the first of its kind in the world to subject full-scale houses to pressures that simulate the effects of winds as strong as a category 5 hurricane -- or 200 mph -- all within a controlled environment. Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080825103529.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820081159.htm Engineers using the University of Southampton's R J Mitchell wind tunnel have helped the British Cycling team win Gold in Beijing. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080820081159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080817231406.htm Swimmers from around the world are setting world and Olympic records in Beijing this month and most are doing it wearing a swimsuit made of fabric tested at NASA. Among the Olympic gold medalists wearing Speedo's LZR Racer are Americans Michael Phelps -- who has now won more Olympic gold medals than any athlete in the modern era -- and Natalie Coughlin. Both had a hand in developing the skintight body suit. Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080817231406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080811095500.htm If wind turbines clatter and whistle too loudly, they are only permitted to operate under partial load to protect the local residents -- but this also means a lower electricity output. An active damping system cancels out the noise by producing counter-vibrations. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080811095500.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804123039.htm Students have constructed a vehicle that is solely powered by wind energy, the Ventomobile. It took them many months of intense construction work to reach this goal. First wind tunnel testing produced very promising results. The extremely stylish three-wheeler features a two-bladed rotor on top, with a diameter of two meters. The efficiency of this setup proved to be extremely good. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080804123039.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715165441.htm Rock Port Missouri, with a population of just over 1,300 residents, has announced that it is the first 100% wind powered community in the United States. Four wind turbines supply all the electricity for the small town. Rock Port's 100% wind power status is due to four wind turbines located on agricultural lands within the city limits of Rock Port (Atchison County). The city of Rock Port uses approximately 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year. It is predicted that these four turbines will produce 16 million kilowatt hours each year. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080715165441.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709110842.htm More than ever before, building design and construction can be significantly improved to reduce wind pressures on building surfaces and to help better resist high winds and hurricanes in residential or commercial construction, said one architecture professor. Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080709110842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703132928.htm Swimmers around the world are breaking records this year like never before, including at this week's U.S. Olympic trials. Some attribute it to extensive training as athletes prepare to compete at this summer's games in Beijing. Others say one factor may be a new swimsuit -- a space-age swimsuit made of fabric tested at NASA. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/07/080703132928.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630104637.htm A team of researchers at the Ocean University of China has developed and tested a mobile lidar (light detection and ranging) station that can accurately measure wind speed and direction over large areas in real time -- an application useful for aviation safety, weather forecasting and sports. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080630104637.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415162612.htm A new electric solar wind sail is almost ready for implementation. Electric sail propulsion might have a large impact on space research and space travel throughout the solar system. The electric solar wind sail uses the solar wind as its thrust source and therefore needs no fuel or propellant. The solar wind is a continuous plasma stream emanating from the Sun. Changes in the properties of the solar wind cause auroral brightening and magnetic storms, among other things. Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415162612.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411103051.htm Technical structures may soon have their own nervous system. Developers and users expect this to bring greater safety, maintenance activities only when required, and a more efficient use of material and energy. Sophisticated systems of sensors, actuators and signal processing devices detect cracks, rust and other defects at an early stage in order to prevent damage -- especially in critical places that are difficult to reach. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411103051.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411151001.htm Researchers have created a novel safer lithium-ion battery. It is based on a polymer electrolyte, which is -- unlike the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion batteries -- not inflammable. Lithium-ion batteries supply the power for cell phones and PDAs, and larger devices such as laptops, cordless screwdrivers and lawnmowers are becoming increasingly dependent on this power source. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411151001.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318182728.htm NIST fire protection engineers turned an abandoned New York City brick high-rise into a seven-story fire laboratory last month to better understand the fast-moving spread of wind-driven flames, smoke and toxic gases through corridors and stairways of burning buildings. Sat, 22 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080318182728.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306221723.htm Wind energy is currently regarded as the most important source of renewable energy. The optimal operation of the newest generation of large wind turbines is possible through the reliable measurement of the wind inflow characteristics. Experience has shown that the accurate power generation estimation based on wind speed is a challenging task. For large new turbine models, conventional met mast wind speed measurements are not feasible based on cost and technical considerations. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306221723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229102053.htm A traditional windmill which drives a pump: that is the simple concept behind the combination of windmill/reverse osmosis process for seawater desalination. In this case, it involves a high-pressure pump which pushes water through a membrane using approximately 60 bar. This reverse osmosis membrane produces fresh water from seawater directly. The windmill is suited for use by, for instance, small villages in isolated, dry coastal areas. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229102053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229135215.htm Honey bees and hummingbirds can hover like helicopters for minutes at a time, sucking the juice from their favorite blossoms while staying aloft in a swirl of vortices. But the unsteady air flows they create for mid-air suspension -- which hold the secrets to tiny robotic flying machines -- have also been observed for the first time in the flight of larger and heavier animals, according to USC aerospace engineer Geoff Spedding. Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229135215.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204172203.htm Natural flyers like birds, bats and insects outperform man-made aircraft in aerobatics and efficiency. Engineers are studying these animals as a step toward designing flapping-wing planes with wingspans smaller than a deck of playing cards. Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204172203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071216142011.htm A measuring system deals with the question as to the effects different wind loads have on cable cars. Two researchers have thrown light on vibration-control problems, an area little researched up to now and were able to account for the occurrence of lateral vibrations from various wind conditions right through to meteorological calm. Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071216142011.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134113.htm By using the only wind tunnel capable of running quietly at "hypersonic" speeds, Purdue University engineers have conducted experiments to yield critical data for designing an advanced aircraft called the X-51A, powered by engines called scramjets. Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102134113.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071215212425.htm Using smoke, laser light, model airplane propellers and a campus wind tunnel, researchers are trying to solve the airflow mysteries that surround wind turbines, an increasingly popular source of "green" energy. Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071215212425.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201424.htm Researchers have completed the first detailed study ever done to assess the potential for building wind farms offshore along the California coastline. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201424.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207000819.htm Wind power need not be backed up by an equal amount of reserve power, according to new research. The production of wind power varies and is harder to forecast than the fluctuations in electricity demand. Adding large quantities of wind power to power systems is therefore challenging. The power system impacts of wind power were studied in depth. The results indicate that the frequently stated claim of wind power requiring an equal amount of reserve power for back-up is not correct. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207000819.htm