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A Better Measure than Wind Generator Power Curves

Wind generators produce electricity at varying levels, depending
on rotational speed (rpm). Graphing generator output (in watts)
against wind speed (mph or m/s) yields a power curve for the
wind generator (see the Power Curves graph).
The untrained eye is drawn to the top of the curvethe
peak power. For gasoline-powered generators, this is useful
information. As long as its supplied with gasoline and a load, it
continues to produce at or near its rated output.
Peak power for a wind generator is very differentat most sites,
the wind speed at which a turbine generates its peak power occurs
only a very small percentage of the time. A wind distribution
plots the frequency of each wind speed (see Distribution graph).
For example, a site may experience 15 mph winds 18% of the time
and 40 mph winds less than 2% of the time. If you assume that a
wind generator will give you peak power most of the time, youll
have wildly exaggerated energy output expectations.
A crucial fact to understand is that the power available in the wind
is related to the cube of the wind speed (V3). For instance, doubling
the wind speed gives eight times the power: a 20 mph wind has
eight times the energy (20 x 20 x 20 = 8,000) of a 10 mph wind
(10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000). If a wind generator produces 3,000 watts
at 24 mph, it will produce only about 375 watts in a 12 mph wind.
Understanding the V3 law and a wind distribution curve helps you
look at power curvesand wind energymore appropriately.

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Instead of using power curves, look on the manufacturers Web

sites or in their literature for energy curves or graphs (see
the example below). With an estimate or measurement of the
average wind speed at your site, these curves can help you
project the energy yield (kWh) from a particular turbine. Then
you can determine how that projection matches up with your
energy needs, determine which (and if) wind generator is right
for your site, and get on with the job of designing and installing
your wind-electric system.
Ian Woofenden

Sample Energy
Curve

9
8

ARE442

Governing
Speed

6
Rated
Power

5
4

Proven 2.5

3
Cut-in
2 Speed
1
0

Governing
Speed

Bergey XL.1
10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

Wind Speed (mph)

2,400

18

Weibull

16

12
10
8
6
4

1,600
1,200
800
400

2
0

2,000

Rayleigh

14

Energy (kWh)

Rated
Power

Frequency of Occurrence (%)

20

10

Power (kW)

Trying to compare one wind generator to another using the peak

from power curves is a common mistake. While there is some
useful information in the curves, its not a simple comparison.
For example, Ive had two turbines with about the same peak
power rating, yet one produced 2.3 times more energy than the
other in similar conditions.

Wind Speed
Distribution

Power Curves for

Three Turbines

For most people, wind generator power curves only create

confusion about performance. When we buy a car, most of
us dont look at the displacement of the cylinders or the cold
cranking amps of the battery. We turn to more important overall
measures like fuel economy. So we should leave power curves
to the number nerds, and stop distracting ourselves from the
prizeenergy output.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Wind Speed (mph)

0
8

10

12

14

Average Wind Speed (mph)

*Based on a Rayleigh distribution

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home power 132 / august & september 2009