Wind Energy Quintessential

by Anthony Chessick
IntegEner-W

 

Here below are a few sketches drawn for the purpose of visualizing how wind turbines with multiple rotors might exceed the limits on individual power production ratings at the present in the by now familiar single rotor configurations.


It can be shown that, in theory above one square mile of land from the ground up to 1000 feet high, there is over 1000 MWs of Betz-adjusted energy available assuming 40 mph winds. It is speculated here that the additional height would enable basing power ratings on such higher wind speeds.

Four tall combination rotor units rated from 35 to 40 MWs at 40 mph wind speeds, as in the drawings above, placed on the diagonals near the four corners of a one square mile land section and one in the center, add up to 175 to 200 MWs, the typical power capacity of an entire wind farm plus.

Just five to six, much fewer than in current practice, of such square mile installations have an electrical power production capability of over 1000 MWs, the usual rating of large, conventional power plants.