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CHAPTER I

The Problem and Its Background

Background of the Study

The growing consumption and steady increase in price of non-renewable sources has

forced people to look for alternative fuels that are available cheaply and can meet their growing

demand for energy. Among the alternatives available, one of them is wind energy. Wind energy

is one of the alternative sources of energy that has been in use since 2000 BC.

Wind is the movement of air from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. In

fact, wind exists because the sun unevenly heats the surface of the Earth. As long as the sun

shines, the wind will blow. And as long as the wind blows, people will utilize it to power their

lives.

Wind produces no air or water pollution thus making it a clean source of renewable

energy. Once the turbine is put up, the operational cost is nearly zero since the wind is free of

charge.

Most wind energy comes from wind turbines that can be as tall as a 20-story building and

have giant propellers. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in wind to electricity by rotating

propeller-like blades around a rotor. This works as the wind spins the blades, which turn a shaft

connected to a generator that produces electricity.

According to the National Geographic, the wind energy industry is prospering.

Globally, generation more than quadrupled between 2000 and 2006. At the end of last year,
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global capacity was more than 70,000 megawatts. In the energy-hungry United States, a single

megawatt is enough electricity to power about 250 homes. Germany has the most installed wind

energy capacity, followed by Spain, the United States, India, and Denmark. Development is also

fast growing in France and China. Industry experts predict that if this pace of growth continues,

by 2050 the answer to one third of the world's electricity needs will be found blowing in the

wind.

Several people are against the idea of wind turbines because they think those are ugly and

complain about the noise the machines make. Not to mention that the slowly rotating blades can

kill birds and bats, but not as much as cars, power-lines and high-rise buildings do. Furthermore,

the wind is variable. Lack of wind will result to electricity not being generated.

Statement of the Problem

The study will attempt to develop a power generator from wind energy.

Specifically, the research aims to answer the following questions:

1. Will the wind energy-consuming power generator be efficient in converting wind power

into electrical energy?

2. Can the self-made power generator withstand strong winds in order to harvest a

substantial amount of wind energy to convert?

3. Will the converted wind energy be sufficient in charging a certain electronic device?

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The scope of this research is on the benefits of using wind energy as a storage of energy

that can light a bulb or can be used in emergency purposes. This can be helpful in times where
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typhoon struck which strong winds occurred. Its limitation is that no electricity is produced when

the wind is not blowing. Thus, it cannot be used as a dependable source of base load power.

Significance of the Study

Energy resources have been a dilemma that is being faced by us up until now. With its

increased consumption, increased cost and the problem with Global Warming, it is really

something that needs some action.

Using alternative energy resources or renewable sources such as wind energy can help

each and every one of us economically. Wind energy gives satisfying results to people without

ruining the environment. It doesnt contribute to global warming at all. Earth has been fighting

global warming for quite some time now. Wind energy doesnt produce greenhouse gases that

cause global warming unlike any other energy sources. Wind energy doesnt give off harmful

contaminants that can ruin the lakes and other bodies of water. In fact, most experts consider

wind energy as a great alternative as energy source because wind is fixed and free.

The significance of this research is somewhat related to the importance of wind energy

that is stated above. By using the small-scale wind turbine, we can do a lot of things regarding

the destruction of environment and it can also offer people affordable alternative source of

energy.