Vocabulary

estimates калькуляция, сметные предположения

to disperse рассеивать, рассредото­чивать

to range классифицировать

range диапазон, область, сфера

mean средний

suitable подходящий

to expose подвергать действию to prohibit запрещать to restrict ограничивать to assume предполагать to cause вызывать competitiveness конкуренция viable жизнеспособный

e) to suggest 0 fruitful

3. Find in the text the synonyms to the following words: a) appropriate c) limitation

b) unprotected

d) to appreciate

⁴- Translate the following sentences with Participle II. Pay attention to the different way of translation of Participle II depending on its different functions.

1. Areas designated class 4 or greater are suitable with advanced wind turbine technology under development today.

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62 Section I. Power Engineering

2. The important factors include the percentage of land exposed toi the wind resource and land-use and environmental restrictions.

3. The land area exposed to the wind for each grid cell was estimat­ed based on a landform classification and ranged from 90% for relatively flat terrain down to 5% for mountainous terrain.

4. The amount of potential electricity that can be generated is de-1 pendent on several factors, including the spacing between wind turbines, the assumed efficiency of the machines, the turbine hub height, and the estimated energy losses (caused by wind turbine wakes, blade soiling, etc.).

5. The assumptions used for calculating the wind energy potential per unit of windy land area is given in Fig. 7.

5. Read the text above and make up the list of key words.

6. Read the text and answer whether the statements are true or false.

1. The potential electric power from wind energy is surprisingly small.

2. Technology under development today will be capable of produc­ing electricity economically from good wind sites in few regions of the country.

3. The important factors include the percentage of land exposed t( the wind resource and land-use and environmental restrictions.

4. The amount of potential electricity that can be generated is de­pendent on nothing.

5. Estimates of wind turbine efficiency and power losses are base< on data from existing turbines.

6. The increasing cost of wind power and the growing interest ii renewable energy sources should ensure that wind power will become a viable energy source in the United States and world­wide.

7. Speak on wind power development and generation in the USA.

PART 2

• Read the texts below. Think of your own title for the first text. Give the main ideas of the texts.

Unit 8. Wind Energy

Potential of Europe

Wind turbines are now a relatively common sight across Europe, with countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Germany, UK, Spain and latterly France, all investing in wind farms. Offshore wind development, although far less advanced, is the greatest prize in this field. However, relative costs of offshore compared to onshore' are higher.

This project is aimed to demonstrate the economic as well as tech­nical viability of offshore wind energy. The former was achieved through the innovative use of a floating jack-up² barge which reduced the time and costs of installation. The latter was achieved mainly through the incorporation of new electronic control systems which improved the compatibility³ with the grid network, and reduced the need for ex­pensive grid strengthening measures.

Aha Mesa Wind Farm

Five turbines were installed, about 4 km off the coast of Gotland. Each turbine is rated at 500 kW. The average annual output is some 8 G Wh/y, from mean wind speeds of 8 m/s. Rock-socketed steel mono-Pile foundations, to water depths of 5 to 6.5 m were used to secure ^lhe turbines. Total construction time was only 35 days. Monitoring of

64 Section I. Power Engineering

Unit 8. Wind Energy

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impacts on local flora and fauna, such as the seal population, is also being carried out.

1 — береговой; 2 - самоопрокидывающийся; З — совместимость

Two High-Performance 1 MW Wind l\irbines in Low Speed Areas

Wind energy developments have, in the past, been concentrated in areas of the world which offer higher than average wind speeds. Often, this means that developments take place in remote and/or sensitive areas. A technology which can increase the economic attractiveness of utilizing sites with lower wind speeds would be invaluable (бесцен­ный). This project will design, manufacture, install, test and measure the impact of two 1 MW turbines which have been specially adapted for use in low wind speed areas. The aim is to increase power produc­tion by up to 22%, compared to a standard turbine, mainly through the technological adaptations which allow for an enhanced rotor di- j ameter, with a swept area of 2,830 m², and an increase in tower height from 50 to 70 m. The new turbine is installed at a site in Central Swe-den.

• Answer the questions using the information from the texts above.

1. In what countries are wind turbines a relatively common sight?

2. What is the aim of the project?

3. How many turbines were installed?

4. What was total construction time?

5. What technology would be invaluable?

6. What use have two 1 MW turbines been adapted for?

• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of wind energy. Use the following expres­ sions and structures:

I don't think ... I totally disagree ...

I don't suppose ... I have a firm belief...

I'm sure (certain) that... There is no reason to deny ...

It's .../likely, not very like- I'm in complete agreement... ly, unlikely, possible

JUST FOR FUN • Read and smile. Tell your friend.

Picking Huckleberries^l

A friend of the family went camping not too long ago. The mountains of Idaho, Washington and Montana are filled with huckleberries this time of year, so she was told to bring something to collect the fruit in. She brought the vacuum sweeper. When asked what she was going to plug²it into, she answered, "A current bush."

Jan Kucera. G. Westinghouse History

1 - черника; 2 - включать

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^Ш Unit 9 ^Ш FOSSIL FUELS

PARTI

• Read the text below and define whether it is about nuclear or thermal power plants.