January 16, 2017
To:
Science Olympiad Event Coaches
From:
George Ruck
Subject:
2017 Wind Power Guidance to the Teams
1) What the Student should know
2) General Advice
Dear Coach,
In an attempt to give every student a chance to perform well in the upcoming Region 8
competition for Division C: Wind Power, I am providing information on the two subjects listed.
The attached list is a guide for helping you prepare your students for the written exam. It is not
necessarily complete and may not cover every possible question on the exam. It does not
supersede the official rules including published clarifications and FAQ’s. If there is any conflict,
the official rules will prevail. You are advised to review the Rules, Rules Clarifications, and FAQ’s
on a regular basis with your students
George Ruck
Wind Power Event Supervisor
(MI Region 8)
1) What the Student should Know

1st Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation of Energy)

The meaning of energy efficiency and energy conservation

Ohm's Law and how to calculate voltage, current, resistance, and power

Types of energy (chemical, electrical, thermal, radiant, nuclear, potential. kinetic)

The meaning of Renewable and Non-renewable energy sources

The meaning of Primary and Secondary energy

Meaning of the "Green House Effect" and how it affects the climate

The principle "green house" gasses

The Wind Power equation and the Betz Limit or Law

Wind power rotor/fan blade design
 types of designs,
 pros/cons of designs,
 ways to improve designs,
 sources of loss

Power generator general questions
 generator design for wind, nuclear, coal, natural gas, solar, geothermal, or
hydroelectric power plants (Note: An FAQ has clarified this applies more broadly
to the design and function of the power plants based on each of these energy
sources)

Power storage questions
 why power storage is desirable
 concepts relating to methods of power storage
 how is the power stored during charging and how is it used during discharge,

Power transmission questions
 ways electricity is transmitted,
 how electrical transformers work
 function of the Electrical Grid
 how power is lost in transmission,
 ways to reduce power loss

Historical wind power designs
 types of windmills,
 when and where developed,
 usage,
 design pros/cons

How the following people impacted development of electrical power?
 Albert Betz, Thomas Edison, Michael Faraday, Benjamin Franklin, Frederick
Lanchester, Palmer Putnam, Nikola Tesla, George Westinghouse, Leonard
Wheeler
2) General Advice

Make sure you impound the blade assembly in a box (assembly and box must
be labeled with the team name and competition #) (30% penalty for missing
impound )

Make sure your device meets all the Rules. The rules allow a device that does
not meet the rules to be modified during the 3 minute Part 1 Test Period. (30%
penalty if violations are corrected / voltage scores equal zero if not corrected).

Have someone else check your dimensions - when build is complete and again
before coming to the tournament

Never make the Event Supervisor make a close call. If the specification says a
maximum of XX.0 cm, make your device so that is a clearly less.
Bottom line – impound your device, and make sure your device meets the rules,
Good Luck to All