Mention any four limitations in harnessing wind energy on a large scale.
Mention any four limitations in harnessing wind energy on a large scale.
Four limitations in harnessing wind energy on a large scale are:
- Geographical Constraint: Wind energy farms can only be established in specific coastal or open areas where strong winds blow consistently throughout most of the year.
- Minimum Wind Speed Requirement: The wind speed must be consistently higher than to maintain the necessary rotational speed of the turbine generator.
- Requirement of Backup Storage: Since wind is highly intermittent and unpredictable, backup facilities like storage cells (batteries) are mandatory to ensure a continuous supply of electricity when there is no wind.
- High Initial Cost and Land Footprint: Setting up a wind farm requires a vast area of land (approximately 2 hectares for a 1 MW generator) and the initial capital investment for turbines, towers, and installation is extremely high. Additionally, the equipment is highly susceptible to weathering, requiring expensive maintenance.
Marking Scheme
- 1Mentioning geographical limitation (wind must blow for most of the year). (0.5 marks)
- 2Mentioning the minimum wind speed requirement of . (0.5 marks)
- 3Mentioning the need for backup storage systems (batteries). (0.5 marks)
- 4Mentioning high initial setup cost or large land requirement. (0.5 marks)
Hint
Recall the minimum wind speed required (), the need for consistent wind, the massive land area required, and what happens when the wind stops blowing.
Quick Oral Answer
The four main limitations are: it requires consistent wind throughout the year, wind speed must be above , it requires large land areas with high initial costs, and it needs backup storage systems like batteries for windless days.
Analysis & Explanation
While wind energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that does not pollute the environment, its large-scale exploitation is severely limited by physical and economic factors. The kinetic energy of wind is converted to electrical energy using wind turbines, but this requires a minimum threshold velocity (). The vast land requirement can lead to land-use conflicts, and the high initial cost makes it less accessible without substantial initial capital. Furthermore, the reliance on weather conditions means it cannot serve as a standalone base-load power source without expensive energy storage systems.
Common Mistakes
- 1Stating incorrect wind speed values (e.g., writing instead of ).
- 2Failing to mention the need for backup storage systems.
- 3Confusing wind energy limitations with solar energy limitations.
Interesting Facts
Denmark is a pioneer in wind energy, generating over 40% of its electricity needs from wind! However, because wind is unpredictable, they are heavily integrated into a regional grid to balance supply and demand.
Spotted a mistake or something unclear?
Tell us — we fix reported answers fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2010?
This question carries 2 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Our Environment" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Wind Energy Limitations" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2010 paper.