2.

1 From an analysis of wind speed data (Hourly interval average, taken over a
one-year period), the Weibull parameters are determined to be c = 6 m/s,
and k = 1.8, at a potential wind turbine site.
a) What is the average wind speed of the site?
b) Estimate the number of hours per year that the wind speed will be
between 6.5 and 7.5 m/s during the year.
c) Estimate the number of hours per year that the wind speed is above 16
m/s
2.2 A measurement of wind speed at a place over year yielded an average wind
speed of 6 m/s.
d) Using the Rayleigh distribution function; estimate the number of hours per
year that the wind speeds will be between 9.5 m/s and 10.5 m/s
e) Estimate the number of hours per year the wind speed is above 16 m/s

2.3 A wind turbine machine with a rotor diameter of 60 m is rated at 2 MW at a

hub height wind speed of 12 m/s. It has a cut in speed of 4 m/s and a cut out
speed of 26 m/s. Assume that this machine is located at a site where the
mean wind speed is 10 m/s and a Rayleigh wind speed distribution can be
used. Calculate the following;
a) The number of hours per year that the wind is below the cut in speed.
[1 Mark]
b) The number of hours per year that the machine will be shut down due to
wind speeds above the cut-out value. [2 Marks]
c) The energy production kWh/year when the wind turbine is running at the
rated power. [3 Marks]
1.1 State the advantages and disadvantages of the possible use of small wind
turbines for electricity power generation.
1.2 List and briefly discuss the factors that you would take into consideration in
selecting a site for a land-based wind machine
1.3 Why is a rotor with a high number of blades better suited to pumping water
than to produce electricity?
1.4 Define the capacity factor of a wind turbine for a given site
1.5 State two advantages and disadvantages of horizontal axis wind turbines
(HAWT) to the vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT)
1.6 A wind turbine operates in the wake of an obstacle, which causes a 15%
reduction in the undistrubed free-stream wind speed. If the rated wind speed
is equal to 12 [m/s] and the undisturbed free-stream is 8 [m/s], what is the
expected reduction, in percent, in the power output of the wind turbine
caused by the obstacle?
1.7 Same Wind turbine from question 3: operating in the wake of an upstream
wind turbine, which causes a 20% reduction in undisturbed free-stream wind
speed. If undisturbed free-stream wind speed is 15 [m/s] what is expected in
reduction in percent, in power output of wind turbine
1.8 Describe the two types of wind: Global and local wind [2 Marks]
1.9 Why is it important to measure the wind speed of the particular site before
installation of wind energy system? [2 marks]

1
1.10 i) Briefly discuss the two laws which are commonly used to express the
variation of wind speed with height. ii) What are the limitations of these two
laws? [6 Marks]