Memorandum

To: Professor Robert Gao, Department of Mechanical Engineering

From: Christopher Wahrenburg
Date: March 8, 2012
Subject: LAB # 7 Wind Turbine Characteristics and Performance
Abstract:
A series of experimental measurements were completed using a wind turbine. The output of the wind turbine was
recorded as the inputs of the wind turbine were varied. The wind speed, distance from the wind source to the
windmill, and resistance were all altered in tandem and individually, and the corresponding wind turbine power
output was calculated at various loading scenarios. The results were plotted together to create a Wind Turbine
Power vs. Wind Speed curve and the Coefficient of Performance vs. Wind Velocity curve was potted to understand
the most efficient turbine operation settings.
Introduction:
The objective of this experiment was to investigate the output characteristics of a wind turbine and evaluate the
parameters that affect its performance under a variety of different load scenarios. A simple formula was used to
calculate the wind turbines power output for each of these scenarios (power is the first derivative of kinetic energy
with respect to time). It is important to be able to associate the varying different input parameters with their effects
on the wind turbines output power. For this experiment, the variables were wind speed, distance between the wind
source and the turbine, and load resistance.
Theory:
The theory behind this experiment is relatively simple. The power output of a practical wind turbine is determined
by the following governing equations:

Therefore, the factors that have effect on the power output of the practical wind turbine are the air density, crosssectional area of wind tube, speed of the wind, wind power, and coefficient of performance (the coefficient of
performance varies with wind speed, turbine rotational speed, and turbine blade angle parameters. Our directive is
to see how each of these parameters affects the power output of the wind turbine.
Experimental Setup and Procedure:
Piping was attached to a motor to act as the wind source. The wind speed meter was placed directly in front of the
wind turbine to accurately measure wind speed at the turbine; and the wind speed adjust knob and display panel are
mounted on the front of the guarding and the piping bracing, respectively. First, the output voltage vs. wind speed
under no load conditions was determined by taking the mean of 10 voltage readings from the power display. Next,
the blade rpm was determined using the not-contact tachometer. Then the wind speed and distance from the wind
source and wind turbine (tested at 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, and 4 feet) were varied while the wind speed and distance
were recorded at each instance. These values were used to create the wind turbine power vs. wind speed curves.
Under these same varying conditions, values were recorded at load settings of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 88 percent of the
maximum resistance of the variable resistor (the mechanical stop at 88 prevented us from taking measurements at a
load setting of 100).

Experimental Results:

Wind Velocity vs. Actual Power Output

(3rd Degree Polynomial Curve Fit)
35.0

R = 0.7261

Actual Power Output (watts)

30.0

25.0

20.0

15.0
R = 0.7237
10.0
R = 0.748

R = 0.6386

5.0

R = 0.6058
0.0
5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

Load = 80

Load = 88

12.0

13.0

Wind Velocity (m/s)

Load = 20

Load = 40

Load = 60

As expected from the derivation of turbine power output, the wind speed was the most significant driver of power
output. The data was fitted with a third degree polynomial curve fitting. The power output of the turbine, which
was calculated from the output voltage and resistance of the circuit matched the third degree fitting reasonably well
for high power/low resistance loads, and poorly for the high resistance/low power loads.

Page 2 of 7

Wind Velocity vs. Coeffecient of Performance

(2nd Degree Polynomial Curve Fit)

0.5
0.5

Coeffecient of Performance

0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2

R = 0.7755

0.1
R = 0.6647
0.1

R = 0.7476

0.0
5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

Load = 80

Load = 88

12.0

R = 0.7594
R = 0.5704
13.0

Wind Velocity (m/s)

Load = 20

Load = 40

Load = 60

It was interesting that the coefficient of performance did not improve as wind speed increased. This data
demonstrates that maximum efficiency (based on COP) of a wind turbine is not necessarily achieved at its
maximum power output level. Understanding the relationship between COP and wind velocity would have many
implications in the practical implementation of a wind turbine.

Page 3 of 7

Discussion:
As expected, there was a clear correlation between the wind velocity and the actual power output of the wind
turbine. When the data was fitted with a third degree polynomial (as appropriate because the power output is
proportional to the wind velocity cubed), the curves fit the data reasonably well. The correlation coefficients for
the five fitted curves ranged from 0.57 to 0.77; notably, the correlations were generally better with smaller load
(higher power outputs). Additionally, the problem with this data is that it appears that most of the recorded points
are in a highly linear region of the power curve. Although a third degree polynomial curve fit appears to be
appropriate, there is significant lack of data points at the high and low end of the velocity spectrum (i.e., less than 5
m/s and greater than 12.5). Because of this, it is impossible to know if the data set is accurately represented by the
third degree curve fit, or if this current data set is entirely in the linear range.
Additionally, the coefficients of performance appear to be represented well by a second degree polynomial curve fit
(as appropriate because P = V2/Rload ). However, this analysis suffers from the same shortfall as the power output
and there is not enough data at the velocity extremes to be certain of the trends. However, it should be noted that
the polynomial fit curves for the coefficients of performance resemble very similar parabolic curves that are shifted
throughout the x-y plane, which seems accurate if only the load resistance is changed between scenarios.
The most important and conclusive observation of this data is that the scenario with the highest power output is not
necessarily the most efficient. This data appears to show that coefficient of performance was inversely proportional
to wind speed and power output of the turbine. However, as previously discussed, more data is needed at both
velocity extremes in velocity to validate this observation and to ultimately determine the ultimate COP of the
turbine.
Unfortunately, there were several other issues that prevented a complete accurate understanding of the performance
of the wind turbine. First, by accident, the current was not recorded during every single trial, and thus the actual
power output during each trial was calculated at a later date by using resistance, which was calculated based upon
the max resistance. The max resistance was determined by setting the variable resistor to 80%, recording voltage,
current, and power, and using statistics to eliminate outliers the maximum resistance was calculated (Please see
Appendix B). The problem was simplified to assume negligible internal resistance of the turbine itself. The first
step that should be done if this experiment were to be repeated would be to either determine if this assumption was
correct, or to take a different approach.
The other major source of error would derive from the experimental setup itself. Several measurements were
recorded from different sensors at different times (seconds apart). Although wind was set to be constant, it was
observed that the system did not have a steady state voltage or wind speed (oscillations) and values continuously
changed. A significant improvement in experimental setup would have been the use of a data acquisition (DAQ)
device.
Conclusion:
The results from this experiment provide a reasonably accurate model, which could be used to model the predicted
performance of the Aero2Gen wind turbine at different loads. The data also illustrates that the scenario with the
highest power output may not have the highest coefficient of performance. The data agreed with previous
understanding that the power output of the turbine would be proportional to the wind velocity cubed and that the
coefficient of performance would be a function of the output voltage squared divided by the turbine load resistance
(parabolic relationship).
As previously discussed, more data is necessary at both high and low velocity in order to determine if the curve fits
are appropriate for this data. Additionally, more data points in general would significantly improve the overall
accuracy of all calculations and the validity of the model. The trends examined appear to be accurate; however, the
overall lack of precise data (especially at the high and low velocities), prevents this experiment from being
complete.

Page 4 of 7

Appendix A: Data Collected During Experiment

No Load
Load
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Load
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Load
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%

R Calc
R Calc
R Calc
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
35.0
-

Length (ft) Length (m) Speed

3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
3.0
0.9244 LO1
Avg.:
Length (ft) Length (m) Speed
4.0
1.2192
4.0
1.2192
4.0
1.2192
4.0
1.2192
3.0
0.9244
3.0
0.9244
3.0
0.9244
3.0
0.9244
2.0
0.6096
2.0
0.6096
2.0
0.6096
2.0
0.6096
1.0
0.3048
1.0
0.3048
1.0
0.3048
1.0
0.3048
Length (ft) Length (m) Speed
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
4.0
1.2192
LO1
Avg:

V
19.8
18.68
19.71
19.59
19.57
19.82
19.94
19.67
20.02
20.01
19.681

V
1 18.31
2 20.87
3 26.11
4 30.93
1 19.2
2 21.73
3 23.25
4 32.9
1 20.06
2 22.52
3 28.9
4 33.88
1 19.88
2 22.47
3 28.88
4 33.51

V
18.44
18.54
18.41
18.71
18.59
18.52
18.61
18.33
18.17
18.35
18.467

Anemometer
6.3
6.3
6.4
6.4
6.0
6.3
6.7
6.1
6.4
6.3
6.3

WP - Theory
41.16
41.16
43.16
43.16
35.56
41.16
49.51
37.37
43.16
41.16
41.66

Anemometer WP - Theory
5.4
25.92
5.6
28.91
7.3
64.04
8.5
101.10
5.5
27.39
6.1
37.37
7.6
72.27
9.2
128.19
6.5
45.21
7.3
64.04
9.1
124.06
10.1
169.62
7.7
75.16
8.6
104.71
10.8
207.38
12.3
306.35
Anemometer WP - Theory WP Actual
5.2
23.15
9.72
5.2
23.15
9.82
5.3
24.51
9.68
5.2
23.15 10.00
5.2
23.15
9.87
4.9
19.37
9.80
5.2
23.15
9.90
5.2
23.15
9.60
5.4
25.92
9.43
5.3
24.51
9.62
5.2
23.32
9.74

% Diff
58%
58%
60%
57%
57%
49%
57%
59%
64%
61%
0.58

COP
0.42
0.42
0.40
0.43
0.43
0.51
0.43
0.41
0.36
0.39
0.42

Page 5 of 7

Load
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%

R Calc
Length (ft) Length (m) Speed
35.0
4.0
1.2192
35.0
4.0
1.2192
35.0
4.0
1.2192
35.0
4.0
1.2192
35.0
3.0
0.9244
35.0
3.0
0.9244
35.0
3.0
0.9244
35.0
3.0
0.9244
35.0
2.0
0.6096
35.0
2.0
0.6096
35.0
2.0
0.6096
35.0
2.0
0.6096
35.0
1.0
0.3048
35.0
1.0
0.3048
35.0
1.0
0.3048
35.0
1.0
0.3048

V
1 18.53
2 20.71
3 26.82
4 30.5
1 19.67
2 21.78
3 28.08
4 32.44
1 20.14
2 22.51
3 28.89
4 33.61
1 19.83
2 22.49
3 28.71
4 33.85

Anemometer WP - Theory WP Actual

5.3
24.51
9.81
5.9
33.81
12.25
7.0
56.47
20.55
8.6
103.62
26.58
5.3
24.51
11.05
6.2
39.24
13.55
7.6
72.27
22.53
8.9
116.06
30.07
6.3
41.16
11.59
6.9
54.08
14.48
9.1
124.06
23.85
10.1
169.62
32.28
7.6
72.27
11.24
8.6
104.71
14.45
10.5
190.58
23.55
12.4
313.88
32.74

% Diff
60%
64%
64%
74%
55%
65%
69%
74%
72%
73%
81%
81%
84%
86%
88%
90%

COP
0.40
0.36
0.36
0.26
0.45
0.35
0.31
0.26
0.28
0.27
0.19
0.19
0.16
0.14
0.12
0.10

40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%
40%

70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0
70.0

4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048

1 16.53
2 18.49
3 24.05
4 27.96
1 17.55
2 20.12
3 26.17
4 30.48
1 18.25
2 20.51
3 26.72
4 31.35
1 17.79
2 20.19
3 26.34
4 31.13

5.0
5.8
7.4
8.6
5.3
6.3
7.5
8.9
6.4
7.0
8.8
10.3
7.6
8.5
10.7
12.4

20.58
32.12
66.71
104.71
24.51
41.16
69.45
116.06
43.16
56.47
112.19
179.89
72.27
101.10
201.68
313.88

3.90
4.88
8.26
11.17
4.40
5.78
9.78
13.27
4.76
6.01
10.20
14.04
4.52
5.82
9.91
13.84

81%
85%
88%
89%
82%
86%
86%
89%
89%
89%
91%
92%
94%
94%
95%
96%

0.19
0.15
0.12
0.11
0.18
0.14
0.14
0.11
0.11
0.11
0.09
0.08
0.06
0.06
0.05
0.04

60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%
60%

105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0
105.0

4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048

1 15.83
2 17.92
3 23.26
4 27.2
1 17.13
2 19.18
3 25.35
4 29.16
1 17.13
2 19.48
3 25.4
4 28.77
1 16.8
2 19.18
3 24.96
4 29.35

5.2
6.1
7.0
8.6
5.5
5.9
7.9
9.2
5.8
6.5
8.5
9.5
7.2
8.4
10.3
12.1

23.15
37.37
56.47
104.71
27.39
33.81
81.17
128.19
32.12
45.21
101.10
141.15
61.45
97.58
179.89
291.65

2.39
3.06
5.15
7.05
2.79
3.50
6.12
8.10
2.79
3.61
6.14
7.88
2.69
3.50
5.93
8.20

90%
92%
91%
93%
90%
90%
92%
94%
91%
92%
94%
94%
96%
96%
97%
97%

0.10
0.08
0.09
0.07
0.10
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.09
0.08
0.06
0.06
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.03

80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%

140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0
140.0

4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048

1 14.41
2 16.22
3 21.25
4 24.97
1 15.47
2 17.5
3 23.17
4 27.38
1 15.37
2 17.76
3 23.59
4 27.94
1 14.91
2 17.08
3 22.92
4 27.37

4.9
5.8
6.9
7.6
5.6
5.3
7.5
8.8
6.0
6.6
8.9
9.9
7.5
8.3
10.5
12.2

19.37
32.12
54.08
72.27
28.91
24.51
69.45
112.19
35.56
47.33
116.06
159.74
69.45
94.13
190.58
298.94

1.48
1.88
3.23
4.45
1.71
2.19
3.83
5.35
1.69
2.25
3.97
5.58
1.59
2.08
3.75
5.35

92%
94%
94%
94%
94%
91%
94%
95%
95%
95%
97%
97%
98%
98%
98%
98%

0.08
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.06
0.09
0.06
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.03
0.03
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02

Page 6 of 7

88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%
88%

154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0
154.0

4.0
4.0
4.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
1.2192
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.9244
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.6096
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048
0.3048

1 12.7
2 14.3
3 18.79
4 22.38
1 13.26
2 15.38
3 20.42
4 24.33
1 13.23
2 15.25
3 20.8
4 24.88
1 12.65
2 14.57
3 19.65
4 23.67

5.2
5.5
6.9
8.3
5.9
6.2
7.5
8.6
6.0
6.4
8.4
9.9
7.5
8.5
10.6
12.1

23.15
27.39
54.08
94.13
33.81
39.24
69.45
104.71
35.56
43.16
97.58
159.74
69.45
101.10
196.07
291.65

1.05
1.33
2.29
3.25
1.14
1.54
2.71
3.84
1.14
1.51
2.81
4.02
1.04
1.38
2.51
3.64

95%
95%
96%
97%
97%
96%
96%
96%
97%
97%
97%
97%
99%
99%
99%
99%

0.05
0.05
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.04
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01

Appendix B: Calculation of Max Resistance of Variable Resistor

Calculation of Max Resistance Value
Calculated Resistance
Load
Setting
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%

Speed
Voltage
Setting
2.00
3.00
4.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00

16.81
22.30
26.44
16.80
22.50
26.30
15.44
17.74
23.50
28.18

Power
Power
Current
Calculated % Difference
Recorded
(P =IV)
0.12
1.80
2.02
12%
0.15
3.10
3.35
8%
0.20
4.70
5.29
13%
0.12
2.00
2.02
1%
0.15
3.30
3.38
2%
0.17
4.10
4.47
9%
0.12
1.80
1.85
3%
0.13
2.10
2.31
10%
0.16
3.50
3.76
7%
0.20
5.60
5.64
1%

R = V/I
140.08
148.67
132.20
140.00
150.00
154.71
128.67
136.46
146.88
140.90
141.86

R = P_rec/I^2

Average

125.00
137.78
117.50
138.89
146.67
141.87
125.00
124.26
136.72
140.00
133.37

132.54
143.22
124.85
139.44
148.33
148.29
126.83
130.36
141.80
140.45
137.61

Outliers

Calculation of Max Resistance Value - Outliers Eliminated

Calculated Resistance
Load
Setting
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%
80%

Speed
Voltage
Setting
3.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
1.00
3.00
4.00

22.30
16.80
22.50
26.30
15.44
23.50
28.18

Power
Power
Current
Calculated % Difference
Recorded
(P =IV)
0.15
3.10
3.35
8%
0.12
2.00
2.02
1%
0.15
3.30
3.38
2%
0.17
4.10
4.47
9%
0.12
1.80
1.85
3%
0.16
3.50
3.76
7%
0.20
5.60
5.64
1%

Max Resistor Value Calculation

R = V/I
148.67
140.00
150.00
154.71
128.67
146.88
140.90
144.26

141.20 / 80%

R = P_rec/I^2

Average

137.78
138.89
146.67
141.87
125.00
136.72
140.00
138.13

143.22
139.44
148.33
148.29
126.83
141.80
140.45
141.20

176.49

**All Power Output Calculations for this report were calculated using max resistor value of:
175.00 Ohms

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