Problem 1 [Marks 1.5]

A large commercial wind turbine has a blade span of 100 m

and tower (4 m diameter uniform) height of 150 m high (hub

height above the ground). If the combined turbine-generator

efficiency of 40%, wind speed of 15 km/h and the air density

1.2 kg/m³ (disregard frictional effects on the mast) determine

the following:

a) Electrical power generated by the turbine (in MW).

b) Total horizontal force (kN) exerted by the wind on the

supporting mast of the turbine and the distance (m) of

this resultant force from the ground. Assume uniform

tower diameter throughout the height.

c) What will be the electrical power generated (in MW)

when the wind speed is 30 km/h.

15 km/h

100 m

150 m