Buchla Ch07 Res Lecture

Renewable Energy 7
Systems
Buchla, Kissell, Floyd
Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

David Buchla | Thomas Kissell | Thomas Floyd All Rights Reserved
Chapter Outline
Wind Power Systems 7

Renewable Energy Systems
Buchla, Kissell, Floyd
7-1 POWER IN THE WIND

7-2 WIND POWER CURVE
7-3 BETZ' S LAW
7-4 BLADE AERODYNAMICS
7-5 HORIZONTAL-AXIS WIND TURBINE
7-6 VERTICAL-AXIS WIND TURBINE
7-7 WIND FARMS

7-1 Power in the Wind
Basic to understanding wind power is the concept of air

pressure. Pressure is force per unit area:
p= F/A
The SI pressure unit is the Pascal (Pa), which is a derived
unit equal to 1 n/m2.
Other common pressure units and the equivalent
number of Pa in each unit are:
millibar (mbar): 100 Pa (equal to 1/1000 of a bar)
atmosphere (atm): 101,325 Pa (pressure at sea-level)
mmHg: 133.3 Pa (height of Hg column in mm)
psi: 6895 Pa (lb/in2)
The barometer is showing the reading on the top scale

in units of mmHg. (a) What pressure unit is used on the
lower scale? (b) What is the reading in psi?
(a) The reading on the lower scale

(red indicator) is nearly1007; since
this represents the atmospheric
pressure, the reading is in mbar (or
hectoPa).
(b) Converting 1007 millibars to Pa
© Fineas/ Fotolia
=100,700 Pa, which is 100,700/6895
= 14.6 psi.


A sea breeze occurs whenever there is a difference

between the water temperature and the land
temperature.
In the summer, the land
warms more quickly than
the water, generating a
sea breeze. For this
reason, coastal regions
of the world tend to be
more productive for
wind turbines.
Source: NREL

Laminar flow is air or liquid that moves in a straight line.

Turbulent flow is a swirling motion that includes sudden
changes in wind velocity and direction.

The change in velocity as the wind turbine harvests

energy from the wind creates a turbulent zone behind
the turbine. The air that passes through the turbine mixes
with faster air, creating the turbulent zone.

Source: US DOE
7-2 Wind Power Curve
Energy in the wind increases by the cube of wind speed,

but all manufacturers begin to curtail output at some
point. A plot of output power versus wind speed is called
a wind power curve.

7-2 Wind Power Curve
The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) can conduct

standardized testing on turbines and generators.
Here, smoke is emitted

from the tips of the
turbine to learn about
turbulence in the wake
of a small turbine.
Source: NREL
7-3 Betz’s Law
The work of Albert Betz led to an important law for the

theoretical efficiency of any turbine with a disk-like rotor.
Essentially Betz’s law gives the maximum efficiency of
59.4%; in practice this limit cannot be reached because
of losses in various components.
Pw = ½ A X ra X vw3
where:
Pw = wind power in W
A = Area swept by turbine in m2
vw = velocity of the wind in m/s
ra = density of the air in the wind in kg/m3
Note that power in the wind is proportional to
wind speed cubed.
7-3 Betz’s Law
Determine the efficiency of a turbine with 6 m blades if it

produces 65 kW in a 15 m/s wind. Assume an air density
of 1.2 kg/m3.
Start by finding the area swept by the blades:
Rearrange the Betz equation and substitute:

2 Ptur 2(65 x103 W)
Ctur    28.4%
A a vw3 2

113 m 1.2 kg/m 15 m/s 
2 3
 
7-3 Betz’s Law
The power output for a constant wind of 12.5 m/s is

shown for different length blades. This is a 25% faster
wind than in the text, but notice the large increase in
power.
vw = 12.5 m/s = 28.0 mph Ctur =0.3
length in m Area in m2 Pw (kW) Ptur(kW)
1 3.14 3.68 1.10
2 12.6 14.76 4.43
4 50.3 58.94 17.68
6 113 132.41 39.72
8 201 235.53 70.66
10 314 367.95 110.38
12 452 529.65 158.90
7-3 Betz’s Law
The power output for a constant blade length of 8 m for

various wind speeds, assuming no curtailment of power
at higher wind speeds.
l = 8 m (26.2 ft) Ctur = 0.3

vw (m/s) vw (mph) Pw (kW) Ptur(kW)
2 4.48 0.96 0.29
4 8.96 7.72 2.32
6 13.44 26.05 7.81
8 17.92 61.75 18.52
10 22.4 120.60 36.18
12 26.88 208.40 62.52
14 31.36 330.93 99.28
7-4 Blade Aerodynamics
The turbine blade on a wind generator is an airfoil as is

the wing on an airplane. The important difference is the
blade on a wind turbine rotates, and is driven by the
wind.

Lift is a component of an aerodynamic force that is

exerted on a body that is perpendicular to a fluid (such as
air) flowing past it. Notice that the lift is perpendicular to
the apparent wind direction. The view is looking down on
the turbine blade:

The angle of attack is the angle of the blade with repect

to its direction of motion. As the angle of attack increases,
the lift also increases to a point where turbulence begins.
This point is called stall.
Tip speed is the speed at the blade tip. Because the tip
moves at the highest speed, it comes under considerable
stress.

The tip speed ratio (TSR) is the ratio of tip speed to wind
speed. The optimal tip speed ratio depends on the
number of blades. For three blades, 6 to 7 is optimal.
Determine the TSR of a 6 m long blade that turns 42 rpm

in a 4 m/s wind.
 rev   2 rad   min 

Tip speed   R   42      6 m  26.4 m/s
 min   rev   60 s 
26.4 m/s
TSR =  6.6
4.0 m/s
7-5 Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine
The Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) is the most

common type, particularly for larger systems that
produce ac for the grid. The exact frequency for the
grid is controlled by any of three methods:
• Control generator shaft speed
• Use a power electronic frequency converter
• Use a double-fed inductive-type generator

Some wind turbines use dc

generators and convert the dc
to ac with a power electronic
frequency converter. This
method has the advantage of
allowing a wider range of
operating conditions for the
Source: Tom Kissell

turbine.
The third method is to use a
doubly-fed induction generator.
This type of generator uses line
voltage to synchronize the
generator.
Major parts of a HAWT are shown:

7-6 Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine
The Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) tends to be less

efficient than HAWTs. The two major types of VAWTs are:
A Darrieus turbine turns a The Savonius wind turbine is

shaft using lift forces and pushed by direct wind
has the advantage of quiet forces but is less efficient
operation. than other types.
David
© 2015 by Pearson Higher Buchla | Thomas
Education, Inc. Kissell | Thomas Floyd All Rights Reserved
7-7 Wind Farms
Wind farms offer advantages of

scale so that a large group of
turbines share transmission
facilities, substations, etc. In
addition, they can share
maintenance crews and
equipment such as dedicated
on-site cranes.
Source: NREL
7-7 Wind Farms
Texas has several large

wind farms; this one is
part of the King Mountain
project in West Texas. It
has 214 wind turbines
producing 278 MW.
These wind turbines were
designed with extra
cooling and protection
from wind blown sand. Source: NREL
The Notrees Wind Farm in Texas is another example of a large wind

farm with 95 wind turbines. It includes North America's largest battery
storage project with 36 MW of storage capacity to alleviate the
effect of intermittent wind.
7-7 Wind Farms
In coastal areas, offshore winds are

generally higher. The higher winds
and lack of obstructions has many
countries looking at offshore wind
farms.
Disadvantages include installation
and maintenance costs. Different
environmental impacts need to be
addressed for any new installation
(such as hurricanes, tsunamis,
© halberg/Fototlia
effects on marine life and
navigation).

Selected Key Terms
Barometric The pressure exerted by the atmosphere on the

pressure earth. (Barometric pressure at sea level is 760 mm
Hg, 101 kPa, or 14.7 psi)
Betz’s law A formula originated by Albert Betz that states

that the best efficiency a wind turbine can
achieve is approximately 59%.
Drag The force that opposes the motion of the airfoil as
it moves through the air.
Lift A component of an aerodynamic force that is

exerted on a body that is perpendicular to a fluid
(such as air) flowing past it.
millibar A unit of atmospheric pressure equal to 100 Pa.

Selected Key Terms
Pitch The rotational angle of the blades on a wind

turbine.
Power curve A graph that shows the wind speed and the
output power of the wind turbine over a range of
wind speeds.
Pressure The change or variation in atmospheric pressure
gradient per unit of horizontal distance in the direction in
which the pressure changes most rapidly. It is
expressed in units of pressure per unit length.
Stall A reduction in the lift force as the angle of attack

increases beyond some point.
Yaw Direction that the wind turbine blades and
nacelle are facing.
true/false quiz
1. The Pascal is a unit of pressure equal

to 1 n/m2.

true/false quiz
2. Air changes velocity as it passes

through a wind turbine, creating a
turbulent zone behind the turbine.

true/false quiz
3. Barometric pressure is the weight of

one m3 of the atmosphere at sea
level.

true/false quiz
4. The energy in the wind increases as

the square of the wind speed.

true/false quiz
5. Betz’ law indicates an upper limit to

the efficiency of a wind turbine with
a disk-like rotor.

true/false quiz
6. Lift is always an upward force on a

wind turbine.

true/false quiz
7. Maximum lift occurs just before stall.

true/false quiz
8. The tip speed ratio (TSR) is the ratio of

tip speed to wind speed.

true/false quiz
9. Darrieus and Savonius are names of

two different horizontal-axis wind
turbines.

true/false quiz
10. An offshore wind farm has the same

environmental impacts than one on
land.

true/false quiz
Answers:
1.T 6.F
2.T 7.T
3.F 8.T
4.F 9.F
5.T 10. F


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Renewable Energy 7

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Wind Power Systems 7

7-1 POWER IN THE WIND

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Basic to understanding wind power is the concept of air

The barometer is showing the reading on the top scale

(a) The reading on the lower scale

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

A sea breeze occurs whenever there is a difference

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Laminar flow is air or liquid that moves in a straight line.

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

The change in velocity as the wind turbine harvests

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Energy in the wind increases by the cube of wind speed,

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) can conduct

Here, smoke is emitted

The work of Albert Betz led to an important law for the

Determine the efficiency of a turbine with 6 m blades if it

Start by finding the area swept by the blades:

Rearrange the Betz equation and substitute:

The power output for a constant wind of 12.5 m/s is

The power output for a constant blade length of 8 m for

l = 8 m (26.2 ft) Ctur = 0.3

The turbine blade on a wind generator is an airfoil as is

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Lift is a component of an aerodynamic force that is

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

The angle of attack is the angle of the blade with repect

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Determine the TSR of a 6 m long blade that turns 42 rpm

 rev   2 rad   min 

The Horizontal-Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) is the most

• Control generator shaft speed

• Use a power electronic frequency converter

• Use a double-fed inductive-type generator

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Some wind turbines use dc

Source: Tom Kissell

Major parts of a HAWT are shown:

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

The Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) tends to be less

A Darrieus turbine turns a The Savonius wind turbine is

Wind farms offer advantages of

Texas has several large

The Notrees Wind Farm in Texas is another example of a large wind

In coastal areas, offshore winds are

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Barometric The pressure exerted by the atmosphere on the

Betz’s law A formula originated by Albert Betz that states

Lift A component of an aerodynamic force that is

millibar A unit of atmospheric pressure equal to 100 Pa.

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Pitch The rotational angle of the blades on a wind

Stall A reduction in the lift force as the angle of attack

1. The Pascal is a unit of pressure equal

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

2. Air changes velocity as it passes

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.

3. Barometric pressure is the weight of

Renewable Energy Systems Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc.