Converting Wind to Energy:

The University of Maine at Presque Isle

Wind Project
By Sumul Shah
Solaya Energy (A Division of Lumus)
May 14, 2009
Agenda

What is Wind Energy?
What is a Wind Turbine?
How are Wind Projects Planned?
How did we build this turbine for the University of
Maine at Presque Isle?

What is Wind Energy?

Wind power, geothermal energy and solar
energy all come from the sun
The global wind belts are formed by two main factors: the
unequal heating of the earth by sunlight and the earth's spin.
Changes in surface temperatures cause areas of high and low
pressures that influence or local wind conditions.
Wind is caused by air flowing from areas of high pressure to low
pressure. The direction is influenced by the Earths rotation.
Coastal Winds are generated because land temperatures change
faster than water temperatures. Can result in windy conditions.
Warm air heats
faster over land thus
rising into the air
Cool ocean air moves in
Mountains can cause areas of high or low winds due to uneven
heating & cooling of surfaces and from terrain roughness
What is a Wind Turbine?

Having a bigger rotor with more area allows for more of the wind
energy to be captured by the turbine.
To capture this wind, wind turbines are increasing in size. Today
turbines have increased 5-15 times from the 1980s.

The power of the cube increases in wind speed exponentially
increase power output. Turbine height also increases output.

Early windmills were simply pushed by the wind. Aerodynamic drag
caused a loss on more than 2/3 of the winds energy.
Today, the shape of the blades have been designed to provide better
efficiency and produce more generation by using aerodynamic lift.
The turbine components are:
The rotor (blades)
The hub which connects the
blades
The nacelle which houses
the gearbox, generator, and
controls
The tower which supports
the turbine
A transformer which
converts energy from the
turbine to electricity
useable by the grid
The nacelle sits on top of the tower and houses the
gearbox, generator, controller and brakes.
Wind turbines feed their electricity into the electrical grid. The
transformer alters the 690V to a voltage comparable to the grid its serving.


M
M
University Building
Computer control (SCADA) systems collect data & ensure
that the turbine is achieving optimal performance
How are wind projects planned?

Meteorological Data (MET) Towers are used for site evaluation and
development or wind projects. The data logged includes wind speed and
direction, air pressure, and temperature.
Mapping is used for determining turbine locations and
calculating annual energy output.

Permitting wind projects is to ensure compliance with
existing laws, regulations, and environmental protection.
Financing wind projects varies depending on equipment and
construction costs. Advances in wind have dramatically cut costs.
How did we build this turbine for the University?

First a road was constructed by the Maine Army National Guard
in order to provide access to the site

Ten 40 steel bolts were drilled and secured with epoxy to
anchor the foundation to the bedrock below the ground.

Over 10,000 pounds of reinforcing steel and anchors were
installed to provide strength for the foundation.

The foundation was covered and heated to prevent freezing and
cracking during construction and curing

88 Cubic yards of concrete were poured to serve as the base for
the turbine

While the foundation cured in Maine, our technicians were busy
inspecting the turbines as they were completed in Chennai, India
Our engineers oversaw the road transportation across India and
the loading process onto the ships at the docks in Mumbai.
Soon thereafter, the tower sections were transported from the
factory in North Dakota to the project site.

After receiving all of the turbine components the tower sections
were placed on the foundation and bolted together
Next, the nacelle went up and was secured to the tower.
Meanwhile, crews on the ground worked diligently to assemble
the rotor so it could be lifted in one piece.

The final step of the erection process was to lift the rotor to be
attached to the nacelle.
Attaching the rotor to the nacelle is delicate work.
University of Maine at Presque Isles wind turbine.
Sumul Shah, President, Solaya Energy, Woburn, MA 781-935-5600 sumul@solayaenergy.com
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