E. Wendell Hewson

Trees as a local climatic wind indicator

Abstract The use of trees as a local climatic wind indicator is described. Studies using trees as an indicator of prevailing wind direction, wind speed and as an evidence of the occurrence of severe winds are presented. This paper describes some of the limitations and practical applications of trees in local wind surveys.

Lake effects on air pollution dispersion

Local wind regimes induced by a lake or a shoreline may have a major influence on air pollution dispersion. Pressure differences due to differential heating of the air, e.g., that due to differences in surface characteristics, are the driving forces of lake and land breeze circulations and slope and valley winds. Differences in roughness between land and lake surfaces will cause wind shear and aerodynamic downwash effects at a shoreline. Stability changes in the air result from differences in surface temperature and roughness between land and lake, e.g., when warm unstable air moves out over a cool lake a temperature inversion will develop near the surface giving very poor dispersion conditions in this lower layer. Pollution released in this stable layer may be carried in high concentrations for many miles and cause severe damage as the air moves across a down wind shoreline and advances inland. The information presented is designed to permit an assessment of the probable complexity of the dispersion patt...

Wind power potential in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract The Pacific Northwest is endowed with substantial resources of both hydro energy and wind energy for electrical power generation. The combination of these energy sources into an integrated and optimized system has the potential for supplying a major portion of the future energy requirements of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, western Montana and northeastern Nevada. The objective of the Pacific Northwest Wind Regional Energy Assessment Program (PNW WIND-REAP) is to identify areas of high wind-power density and develop an order-of-magnitude estimate of the maximum installed capacity, seasonal and annual energy and possible firm capacity available to the region from wind power when integrated with the Columbia River hydroelectric system. This paper presents an assessment of the potential resource and is not a recommended plan of implementation since obvious nontechnical considerations, i.e., institutional, environmental, aesthetics, etc., must be included in the final decision-making process before sites...

Generation of Power from the Wind

Abstract There is vast energy available in the earths winds for mans use. It is conservatively estimated that the wind power available to man is the equivalent of the output of 1000 typical fossil fueled or nuclear power plants of 1000 megawatts (MW) capacity each. By contrast, the water power potential of the earth is only one-tenth as large. Large wind generators have been built and used during the past 50 years. Research on wind power sites in the mountainous coastal and valley areas of the Pacific Northwest is being conducted. Terrain modification, aerogenerator “farms,” special duty installations, environmental impacts, land use. and net energy costs are all taken into consideration. It is concluded that wind power shows promise of supplying substantial amounts of supplementary electrical energy and that the development of this wind power potential should proceed with the federal government taking a lead role.

Analog Computing Techniques Applied to Atmospheric Diffusion: Continuous Point Source

Abstract The partial differential equation which describes steady-state diffusion from an infinite line source is replaced with a set of simultaneous ordinary differential equations solved on an electronic analog computer. One space dimension, distance downwind, is represented by computer time; the other, height, is replaced with finite differences. Solutions are obtained for constant, power law, and logarithmic wind profiles, and for diffusion of particulates which can settle out and deposit on the ground. All solutions are obtained with one basic computing circuit. Each problem requires only a particular setting of the coefficient potentiometers in the circuit. Implementation of this circuit requires only 9 integrating amplifiers and 26 coefficient potentiometers, available in any medium sized computer. The solutions accuracy has been measured by comparing the computer plots with the analytical solution for constant wind profile. This measures the total error due to the finite difference approximation ...

I. Ragweed Pollen as Air Pollution

By their land use practices the agricultural and construction industries are unwittingly causing an increase in atmospheric pollution by aeroallergens such as ragweed pollen. This public health problem is discussed in the following four papers by an interdisciplinary team. Possible remedies are described.

Atmospheric Diffusion Studies Near a Lake Shore

Abstract Experiments designed to measure atmospheric diffusion in transitional states have been carried out for several years over the western end of Lake Erie. The concept of diffusion in transitional states, both in general and for such a shoreline location, is described. The methods of data analysis which have been used are explained and their advantages and limitations outlined. Results of the experiments are presented in terms of Suttons parameters n, Cz and Cy are generally larger than those which have been measured over more uniform sites. One experiment is described in detail to illustrate diffusion in a trasitional state which was due to the advection of warm air aloft.

Network Wind Power Over the Pacific Northwest. Progress Report, October 1978-September 1979.

In 1975 the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) contracted with Oregon State University (OSU) to perform a feasibility study of the wind power potential in a portion of the Columbia River Gorge. Since that initial assessment the research at OSU has expanded to investigate the wind power potential in the rest of the BPA service area which covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, and northern Nevada. Previous BPA Reports 76-1, 77-2, and 78-3 have documented the progress of this research. The objectives and conclusions of the research during FY 79 are summarized. The data analyzed were for the period June 1978 through May 1979. The details of the research are contained in the report.

Network wind power over the Pacific Northwest

Since 1975 the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has been sponsoring wind power research at Oregon State University. A feasibility study that initially concentrated on the wind power potential in the Columbia River Gorge has expanded to the BPA service area which covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and northern Nevada. Previous BPA reports have documented the progress of this research.

Network Wind Power Over the Pacific Northwest, Appendix 1, Wind Power Site Survey Reports

Results are presented for wind survey field trips to Northwest Washington, Southern Oregon Coast, Central Columbia River Gorge, Columbia Hills, Goodnoe Hills, and Horse Heaven Hills.