Determine the efficiency of a wind turbine

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At the latest since the shutdown of nuclear power plants in Germany was decided, the current and future generation is faced with the question of how to meet the energy demand without nuclear power. Experts are currently trading high wind turbines. But what is the efficiency of a wind turbine? What are the differences between the individual locations (installation on land or offshore at sea)?

Wind parks - energy supply through wind use.
Wind parks - energy supply through wind use. © Dieter_Schütz / Pixelio

The rotor blades are moved by the kinetic energy of the wind. The kinetic one encountered here energy drives a generator, is converted into electrical energy and fed into the power grid.

Maximum efficiency results from limited use of energy

  • Before setting up a wind turbine at a special location, wind measurements are carried out, among other things, in order to determine the possible degree of efficiency of the system.
  • Each wind turbine has a certain degree of efficiency due to its different constructions (mast height, rotor blades).
  • The scientist Albert Betz has calculated mathematically that a system can utilize the wind to a maximum of 59.3 percent.
  • There are several reasons why the remaining wind energy cannot be harvested. On the one hand, the blades of the rotor are not optimally exposed to the flow at all times.
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  • On the other hand, the gear or generator required for system operation have losses, even if these are only minor.
  • Eventually the kinetic energy of the wind is slowed down.
  • This leaves a residual kinetic energy that cannot be used to convert it into electricity.
  • The efficiency of a wind turbine depends primarily on the rotor speed. The rotor speed is in the same Dimensions how the efficiency of a wind turbine depends on the wind speed.

Small wind turbines cannot be operated economically

  • You can use the power of a wind turbine with an online Wind power tool very easy to calculate.
  • The performance of your system determines how profitable you can be. The manufacturer's information is not always correct.
  • The possible output of your wind turbine results from the consideration of the output contained in the wind. Multiply this by the efficiency.
  • You know the maximum possible efficiency, based on Betz's law, this is around 59 percent. Manufacturers of wind turbines indicate an efficiency in the range between 30 and 50 percent.
  • For a performance calculation, you can assume an average efficiency of 40 to 45 percent. It is always lower for small systems than for large systems.
  • Therefore, there is also the need to build a large system instead of several smaller ones.

Small wind turbines rarely work economically, even if the manufacturers indicate a high output. In order for this performance to be achieved, the optimal wind must be available at all times.

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