Wind Energy Multiple Choice Questions on “Wind Turbine Siting”.
1. When looking for a wind site, assessors start by _______
a) determining the direction of prevailing wind at the site
b) looking for a good source of water
c) looking for a location with good sunlight
d) determining all the directions of the local wind
Answer: a
Clarification: To install a wind turbine, wind assessors look for locations with strong and smooth winds. They start by assessing the direction of the prevailing wind at the site. Generally, winds blowing in a particular direction are strong and smooth.
2. Which of the following is required for the installation of a wind turbine system?
a) A weak wind flow
b) A consistent and strong wind flow
c) Still air
d) A consistent wind flow with obstructions
Answer: b
Clarification: For a wind turbine system to run effectively, it requires a good wind site. A good wind site is one with a consistent and strong wind flow in a direction.
3. Which of the following is preferred in a good wind site?
a) Still air
b) A higher altitude terrain with objects obstructing the wind flow
c) A higher altitude terrain with no or minimum objects obstructing the wind flow
d) A lower altitude terrain with no or minimum objects obstructing the wind flow
Answer: c
Clarification: Terrain is known to affect wind speeds which in turn affect the efficiency of a wind turbine system. A higher altitude terrain with no or minimum objects obstructing the wind flow is always preferred.
4. What is the minimum height above which the rotor of the wind turbine system is installed in a good wind site?
a) 100 feet above the tallest obstacle within a 5-foot radius
b) 5 feet above the tallest obstacle within a 500-foot radius
c) 10 feet above the tallest obstacle within a 5000-foot radius
d) 30 feet above the tallest obstacle within a 500-foot radius
Answer: d
Clarification: A wind turbine can be located anywhere in a good wind site provided the rotor is installed slightly on a higher terrain. The rotor is typically mounted 30 feet above the tallest obstacle within a 500-foot radius.
5. Which of following are considered during wind siting?
a) Safety impact, community impact, environmental impact
b) Radiation
c) Sunlight
d) Water
Answer: a
Clarification: Before selecting and deciding on a good site, various impacts of installing a wind turbine are considered. The engineers ensure that the wind site does not harm any living creature. They also ensure that the site is far away from the nearest village to prevent any noise pollution.
6. Which of the following impacts a community/village/society due to installation of wind turbine system?
a) Private and Public cloud
b) Noise from the turbine, flicker
c) Private, Public and Hybrid cloud
d) Public and Hybrid cloud
Answer: b
Clarification: Noise, flicker and signal interference impacts the nearest community/society/village. The other options are not related to wind siting.
7. Does the wind turbine harm birds?
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The wind turbine system harms the birds and may even kill them. Thus, it is imperative to select a site with minimum or no living creatures.
8. Which of the following factors affect wind speed near the turbine system?
a) Birds flying
b) Sunlight
c) Time of the day, temperature, season
d) A village far away from the wind site
Answer: c
Clarification: Time of the day, temperature and season are a few factors affecting the wind speed. While the sun’s heat affects the wind speed by creating a pressure difference, sunlight in itself doesn’t. Affect of a far away village from the wind site and birds flying on wind speed is minimum.
9. Do wind sites need an access to transmission lines?
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: Potential wind sites turning into wind farms need access to transmission lines. Transmission lines are used to transport the electrical energy generated from the wind turbine system to the grid.
10. Which of the following can make a good wind site?
a) A national sanctuary with wildlife
b) A city
c) A village
d) A barren land with wind speed of 6 on beaufort scale
Answer: d
Clarification: A barren land with a wind speed of 6 on beaufort scale is a potential wind site. A city, village or national sanctuary are poor choices for wind sites as they obstruct wind flow. Also, it is not safe to install a wind turbine in such places.