Wind Turbine Farm

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity by spinning aerodynamic blades connected to a generator inside the nacelle. The theoretical maximum efficiency a turbine can extract from wind is capped at about 59.3% by Betz's law, since slowing the wind completely would block the airflow needed to keep the rotor turning. Real-world turbines typically achieve 35-45% efficiency once mechanical and electrical losses are accounted for. Farms are sited in windy corridors, mountain passes, or offshore waters where wind speeds are strong and consistent, since power output scales with the cube of wind speed. Modern utility-scale turbines stand on tall towers to reach faster, less turbulent wind found higher above the ground.

Characteristics

• Typical hub height: roughly 80–120 m above ground
• Blade tip speed: up to 80 m/s at rated rotation speed
• Cut-in wind speed: about 3–4 m/s (blades start turning)
• Rated wind speed: roughly 12–15 m/s (full power output)
• Cut-out wind speed: around 25 m/s (turbine shuts down to prevent damage)
• Betz's law limit: maximum ~59.3% of wind kinetic energy extractable
• Typical rotor RPM: 10–20 rotations per minute at utility scale