Preparation and tutoring Wind Power in London, UK and Ploiesti Romania by Joanna Pinewood Education Limited June 2012

Wind power:

Johnny Ionescu and Dan Petrescu produced, using Java, the following animation which can be used as a learning tool:

www.danpetrescu.net/energy/wind.html

or  http://www.danpetrescu.net/energy/wind.swf

It’s a simple animation were two variables can be changed. Virtual blade sizes can be altered to assess power production. The wind velocity can be altered to assess power production.

The results need to be written down in an excel spreadsheet and then a graph can be drawn. 

Comparison of variables shows the character of the wind turbine. 

To start the experiment press on the windmill and slide it across onto a hill.

As an example, compare blade sizes in multiples of 5m and you should make a table with the results below:

If you follow the above, you can with experience compare other multiples. The blade dimensions here are independent variables and the wind speed is constant (5m/s) and the dependent variable. Transfer the columns of information above to an excel spreadsheet. The one we used was Microsoft Office Excel 2007.

To convert the table to a graph we used the following steps:

1)     Select the data you need for the graph with the cursor;

2)     Click on insert. This should show an assortment of graphs;

3)     Click on “line graph”: in this example, we used a 2D line graph, it is the first to click;

4)     You have now the graph on the spreadsheet;

5)     You can select the data as functions of x (horizontal) and y (vertical) axis. You click right on the graph and you click “select data”;

6)     For the horizontal axis, you can choose the variable data i.e. blade radius;

7)     Click on “edit” in this column on the right of the window will appear the blade measurements. In the axis select the column you want in your table, in this case the blade radius. A dashed box will appear around the selected numbers and codes appear in the axis label range. Press OK, and the window “select data source” will appear again.

8)     Then you have to select the y axis points. You need to deselect the x axis information in the column on the left of the window. “Blade radius” is shown in grey and you want to press “remove”. Click “remove” and that axis vanishes;

9)     In the column showing “number of homes” and “energy” you can use the add button to select data from the same or other spreadsheets (here another variable can be added whenever you want);

10) If you click on the curve of the graph, that will highlight the column of results in the table;

11) If you wish to change or add labels or titles, click right over the labels. Using “chart tools” then “layout” you can change the chart title and axis titles. Click “axis titles”, then “horizontal axis title” then “title below axis”. A box appears on the graph, name your axis. For the verticals axis, click “primary vertical axis” and “secondary vertical axis” then choose how you want them to appear on your graph. Rename these axes. To choose a title click “chart title” and choose how you want it to appear. Rename in the title box;

12) If you have results of different units that you wish to appear on the same graph, you have to add a secondary vertical axis. To do this, click right on a series of the curve, and then select “format data series”. On “series options”, select “secondary axis”.

Your graph is now ready. You can see just below the graph obtained with this procedure:

To enquire about the algorithm that produced the graphic, please email Daniela Ionescu Romanian project manager (daniprofa@gmail.com). 

A hydro-electricity power animation is available with 3 variables http://www.danpetrescu.net/energy/water.html or  or http://www.danpetrescu.net/energy/water.swf