RENEWABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Wind Turbines

Problem Set

Problem 1: Using the data on the Vesta V90 – 3.0 MW (turbine diametre = 90 m) in Figure 1, find the
turbine’s efficiency for A) just above the cut-in speed (5m/s) B) the nominal speed (15 m/s) C) the cut-
out speed (25 m/s) and compare. D) Why does the power output level off at 3,000 kW?

Figure 1. The optimal wind speeds needed to extract varying amounts of power
using a Vesta V90 – 3.0 MW wind turbine.

References:

Vestas. 3.0 MW - An Efficient Way to More Power (Online). http://www.vestas.com/en/wind-power-

solutions/wind-turbines/3.0-mw.aspx [22 May 2009].

Problem 2: Compare the yearly greenhouse gas emissions from 1 GWe (Gigawatt-electric) power
stations powered by coal, natural gas and wind turbines. The energy content of coal is 30 MJ/kg, of
natural gas is 55 MJ/kg and the electrical converting efficiency is 40% for both. Wind turbines do not

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia

emit CO2 as they harness the wind, but emissions do occur during the manufacturing of the turbine. For
Canada, the CO2 emission per GDP is approximately 600 Tonnes / $ 1 million of GDP. For wind turbines,
it costs $2 M for a 1 MWe plant, which has a capacity factor of 0.3, and the yearly maintenance is
approximately 2% of the initial cost. Assume the average lifetime of a wind turbine is 20 years.

Problem 3: Design a set of turbines of a reasonable size that could produce 1GW of electrical power
under common wind conditions at a site you can choose in BC (for now you can neglect the other factors
such as land formations and wind consistency). You need to specify the number of turbines and land
area needed.

Problem 4: Cape Sutil, located on Vancouver Island, is a potential site for a turbine farm. Assuming that
wind speed is constant during each season at 8.57 m/s in winter, 5.75 m/s in spring, 3.71 m/s in
summer, and 6.64 m/s in fall. Find the mean speed cubed (<v>3) and the mean cubed speed (<v3>).

Brittany Tymos 2009/05/29

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia