Examples of a power curve for a small wind turbine rated at 10 kW.
What’s the Point of the Wind Generator?
The wind generator harnesses the natural energy of nature to provide a free and
plentiful supply of power. Each kWh of electricity produced from the wind generator
can prevent 1kg of CO
2
being emitted into the atmosphere by power stations. In a
windy location, a 1kW generator has the potential to save 9tonnes of CO2 each year.
On average, wind generators probably achieve something like 25-40% of their
potential output throughout the year – as it is not always windy! Even at this level, a
very significant contribution to reducing global warming is made.
Location, location, location!
The wind generator is not magic – it will not produce a good output in all locations.
You must ensure that the wind generator is sited in an area where you have sufficient
wind resource. This requires careful consideration, as obstacles such as trees, houses
and the geography of the landscape can all affect the amount of wind reaching the
generator.
Finding the best possible site for your wind machine is critical and should be done
carefully. The following steps may be carried out when assessing locations for your
wind turbine:
•
Observe wind and terrain characteristics
•
Measure wind speed at each site being considered
•
Check legal restrictions
Site Observation:
Your own observation can be useful in assessing the wind energy
potential of your site. It is essential that turbines should be sited away from
obstructions. Wind speed also increases with height so it is best to have the turbine
high up, and most small turbines have towers much higher relative to their diameter
than larger ones. The ideal position for a wind turbine generator is a smooth hilltop.
The wind speeds up significantly near the top of the hill and the airflow should be
reasonably smooth, i.e. free from excessive turbulence. Excessive turbulence may
cause fatigue damage and shortens a turbine’s working life.
As a general rule of thumb, you should install a wind turbine on a tower such that it is
at least 6 ft above any obstacles within 300 ft. Smaller turbines typically go on shorter
