The Energy in the Wind: Air

Density and Rotor Area

A wind turbine obtains its power input by
converting the force of the wind into a torque
(turning force) acting on the rotor blades. The
amount of energy which the wind transfers to the
rotor depends on the density of the air, the rotor
area, and the wind speed.
The
cartoon
shows
how a
cylindrical
slice of air
1 metre
thick
moves
through
the 2,300

m 2 rotor
of a
typical
1,000
kilowatt
wind
turbine.
With a 54 metre rotor diameter each cylinder
actually weighs 2.8 tonnes, i.e. 2,300 times 1.225
kilogrammes.

Density of Air
The kinetic energy of a moving body is
proportional to its mass (or weight). The kinetic
energy in the wind thus depends on
the density of the air, i.e. its mass per unit of
volume.
In other words, the "heavier" the air, the more
energy is received by the turbine.
At normal atmospheric pressure and at 15°
Celsius air weighs some 1.225 kilogrammes per
cubic metre, but the density decreases slightly
with increasing humidity.
Also, the air is denser when it is cold than
when it is warm. At high altitudes, (in
mountains) the air pressure is lower, and the air
is less dense.

Rotor Area
A typical 1,000 kW wind turbine has a rotor
diameter of 54 metres, i.e. a rotor area of some
2,300 square metres. The rotor area determines
how much energy a wind turbine is able to
harvest from the wind.
Since the rotor area increases with the square
of the rotor diameter, a turbine which is twice as

large will receive 2 2 = 2 x 2 = four times as

much energy. The page on the size of wind
turbines gives you more details.

© Copyright 1997-2003 Danish Wind Industry Association

Updated 25 June 2003
http://www.windpower.org/en/tour/wres/enerwind.htm