1. What is Wind Turbine Power Equation?

The wind turbine power equation calculates the theoretical power available in the wind that can be captured by a wind turbine. It's based on fundamental physics principles of kinetic energy in moving air.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wind power equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power output (watts)
• \( \rho \) — Air density (kg/m³, typically 1.225 at sea level)
• \( A \) — Swept area of turbine blades (m²)
• \( v \) — Wind speed (m/s)
• \( C_p \) — Power coefficient (maximum 0.59, typically 0.35-0.45)

Explanation: The equation shows that power increases with the cube of wind speed, making site selection critical for wind energy projects.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power estimation is crucial for wind farm planning, turbine sizing, energy production forecasts, and economic feasibility studies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter air density (default is sea level value), swept area (πr² for circular blades), wind speed, and power coefficient (typically 0.35 for modern turbines).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is wind speed cubed in the equation?
A: The kinetic energy in wind increases with the cube of velocity because both the mass flow rate and kinetic energy per unit mass increase with speed.

Q2: What is the Betz limit?
A: The theoretical maximum power coefficient (Cp) is 0.59 (59% of wind energy can be captured), known as the Betz limit.

Q3: How does air density affect power?
A: Power is directly proportional to air density. Cold air and lower altitudes produce more power than warm air at high altitudes.

Q4: What is typical swept area for turbines?
A: For a 2MW turbine, blade length is typically 50-60m (swept area 7,850-11,300 m²). Home turbines might have 10-50m² swept area.

Q5: How accurate are these calculations?
A: This gives theoretical maximum. Real-world output is typically 20-40% of theoretical due to mechanical losses, wind variability, and sub-optimal conditions.