©New Heights Series, 2021

b) Small machines
c) Medium machines
Components of Wind Energy
d) Remote Machines
Conversion System.
Answer: a
1. How much power does the small-
Explanation: Large wind turbines are
scale wind machine generate?
those of 100 kW rated capacity or
a) 18 KW
greater. They are used to generate
b) 2 KW
power for distribution in central
c) 12 KW
power grids. They can have single
d) 30 KW
generator at a single site or multiple
Answer: b generators sited at several places
Explanation: These might be used on over an area.
farms remote applications and other
4. Which part of the wind mill acts as
places requiring relatively low power.
a housing for the turbine?
The generating capacity is up to 2kW.
a) Wind Vane
Small scale wind machines lower your
b) Shaft
electricity bills by 50% – 90%.
c) Wind mill head
2. Which type of wind machines are d) Turbine
used at several residence or local
Answer: c
use?
Explanation: The wind mill head
a) Large size machines
supports the rotor, housing, and rotor
b) Remote machines
bearings. It also has control
c) Small size machines
mechanism like changing the pitch of
d) Medium size machines
the blades for safety devices, tail vane
Answer: d to orient the rotor to face the wind. Its
Explanation: These wind turbines body is the size of the mini bus.
may be used to supply less than 100
5. A rotor installed in a fixed
kW rated capacity, to several
orientation with the swept area
residences or local use. These do not
perpendicular to the pre dominate
require much space they can be
wind direction is called ___________
installed on roof tops or on some high
a) Nacelle
elevated areas.
b) Yaw fixed machines
3. Which type of wind turbines c) Blades
produce 100 kW or greater? d) Anemometer
a) Large machines

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©New Heights Series, 2021
Answer: b
Explanation: In the locations with the
prevailing wind in one direction, the
design of a turbine can be greatly
simplified. The rotor can be installed
in a fixed orientation with the swept
area perpendicular to the pre
dominate wind direction. This
machine is called yaw fixed.
6. How is the action of yaw controlled
in small turbines?
a) Tail vane
b) Blades
c) Shaft
d) Yaw motor
Answer: a
Explanation: In small turbines, yaw
action is controlled by a tail vane
while is larger machines a
servomechanism operated by a wind-
direction sensor controls the yaw
motor keeping the turbine properly
oriented.
7. Which part of the wind turbines
senses wind speed, wind direction,
shaft speed and torque?
a) Turbine blade
b) Shaft
c) Rotor
d) Controller
Answer: d
Explanation: The controller senses
wind speed, wind direction, shaft
speeds and torques, output power and
generator temperature, Control
1
signals are generated with the
electrical output corresponding to the
wind energy input.
8. Which type of wind turbine has low
RPM?
a) Small wind turbine
b) Large wind turbine
c) Medium wind turbine
d) Remote wind turbine
Answer: b
Explanation: The rate of rotation of
large wind turbine generators
operating at rated capacity or below
is controlled by varying the pitch of
the rotor blades. It has low rpm,
about 40 to 50. It is necessary to
increase greatly the low rotor rate of
turning using transmission
mechanism.
9. Why recommendation of fixed ratio
gears done for top mounted
equipment?
a) Because they are easy install
b) Requires less space
c) Due to its low cost
d) Because of their high efficiency
Answer: d
Explanation: Fixed ratio gears are
recommended for top mounted
equipment because of their high
efficiency, and minimum system risk.
For bottom mounted equipment
requiring a right-drive transmission
costs can be reduced on the hub by
increasing rotor speed to generator.
©New Heights Series, 2021
10. Which type of generator are made
use in wind turbines?
a) Recreational generators
b) Synchronous generator
c) Asynchronous generator
d) Alternator
Answer: b
Explanation: Generators may be
either constant or variable speed type.
Variable speed units are expensive
and/or unproved. Constant speed
generator in use are synchronous
induction and permanent magnet
types. Synchronous unit is used for
large aero generator systems. It is
very versatile and has an extensive
data base.
11. In which part do we find sensors
and actuators?
a) Fixed gears
b) Turbines
c) Control systems
d) Blades
Answer: c
Explanation: Control systems involves
sensors and actuators. The modern
large wind turbine generator requires
a versatile and reliable control
system. A control system is used for i)
changing the orientation of the rotor
into the wind. ii) Start up and cut-in of
the equipment. iii) Power control of
the rotor by varying the pitch of the
blades.
2
12. How many types of supporting
tower for wind mill are generally
used?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 3
d) 5
Answer: b
Explanation: Four types of generating
tower are used generally:
i) The reinforced concrete tower
ii) The pole tower
iii) The built-up shell tube tower
iv) The truss tower.
13. On what does the selection of
supporting structure depends?
a) Length of blades
b) Rotating capacity
c) Capacity of generator
d) Transmission systems
Answer: d
Explanation: The type of the
supporting structure and its height is
related to cost and the transmission
system incorporated. Horizontal axis
wind turbines are mounted on towers
so as to be above the level of
turbulence and other ground related
effects.
14. At what type of location vibrations
are more in the wind turbine?
a) Downwind location
b) Up wind location
c) Windward
d) Leeward
©New Heights Series, 2021
Answer: b
Explanation: In the upwind location
(i.e. the wind encounters the turbine
before reaching the tower), the wake
of the passing rotor blades causes
repeated changes in the wind forces
on the wind forces on the tower. Due
to this the tower may vibrate and may
eventually be damaged.
15. At what type of location vibrations
are less in the wind turbines?
a) Windward
b) Leeward
c) Downwind location
d) Upwind Location
Answer: c
Explanation: If the turbine is
downwind from the tower, vibrations
are less but the blades are subjected
to severe alternating forces as they
pass through the tower wake.
Downwind rotors are generally
preferred for large aero-generators.
Vertical Axis Wind Mill
1. In which wind measuring device a
tubular piece of thin flexible fabric
hanged vertically to determine
direction?
a) Wind socks
b) Weather vane
c) Pin wheels
d) Anemometers
3
Answer: a
Explanation: Wind sock is a very
basic device that measure wind
direction and provide a rough idea of
the wind’s intensity. A wind sock is a
tubular piece of fabric or thin, flexible
fabric attached to a pole. When there
is no wind, the fabric hangs vertically
from the attached pole.
2. A device which is used as device for
showing direction wind as well used
as a decorative purpose?
a) Wind socks
b) Weather vane
c) Pin wheels
d) Anemometers
Answer: b
Explanation: A weather vane works
similarly to wind sock. Instead of a
tubular sock, the weather vane is
made by placing a horizontal pole at
the top of vertical pole. The poles are
joined together so that the horizontal
pole has a flattened, vertical end that
reacts to wind.
3. Which is the wind direction
showing device that spins
perpendicularly?
a) Wind socks
b) Weather vane
c) Pin wheels
d) Anemometers
Answer: c
Explanation: A pinwheel is a
windmill-style turbine that spins
©New Heights Series, 2021
perpendicularly to the wind affecting
it. Like wind socks and weather vanes,
a pinwheel can be attached to a
rotating base. This allows the
pinwheel to change direction with the
wind, and it will spin facing into the
oncoming wind.
4. Which is the device that measures
wind direction and its intensity?
a) Wind socks
b) Weather vane
c) Pin wheels
d) Anemometers
Answer: d
Explanation: An anemometer is any
device that measures wind direction
and intensity. It may be simple, such
as the devices described above, or it
may be a complex, computer-aided
machine that measures and records
wind patterns over time. More
advanced anemometer machines are
used to aid in professional weather
reporting and air traffic control.
5. What units does the anemometer
measure in?
a) Feet per minute
b) Liters per minute
c) Centimeters per minute
d) Meter per seconds
Answer: a
Explanation: The anemometer
measures in feet per minute, or FPM.
The rotation is sensed by a magnetic
or optical sensor that converts the
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signal to FPM measurement. An
arrow on the vane head identifies the
direction the airflow must travel
through the vane to obtain proper
measurements.
6. Which of the following type of
turbine or the rotor requires relatively
low velocity winds for operation?
a) Cup anemometer
b) Savonius rotor
c) Darrieus type rotor
d) Magnus effect rotor
Answer: b
Explanation: Savonius rotor is a
simple WEC system which works like
a cup anemometer. This type was
invented by S.J. Savonius in the year
1920. It requires relatively low
velocity winds for operation. It
consists of two half cylinders facing
opposite directions forming as S-
shaped cross section.
7. Which type of axis does a Savonius
Rotor has?
a) Horizontal axis
b) Mediolateral axis
c) Vertical axis
d) Lateral Axis
Answer: c
Explanation: A Savonius wind energy
conversion system has a vertical axis
and hence eliminates the expensive
power transmission system from the
rotor to the axis. Since it is a vertical
©New Heights Series, 2021
axis machine it does not matter much
about the wind direction.
8. Why is Savonius rotor not suitable
for installation?
a) Because of long drive shaft
b) Because of its low capacity motor
c) Because of its typical blade design
d) Due to the light material it is made
of
Answer: a
Explanation: Savonius rotor is not
useful for very high installation
because of long drive shaft problems.
Bracing of the topmost bearing above
the rotor of a very tall vertical axis
machine is difficult requiring very
long guy wires.
9. When was the Darrieus type
machine invented?
a) 1925
b) 1932
c) 1929
d) 1948
Answer: a
Explanation: Darrieus type machine
was invented originally and patented
in 1925 by G.J.M > Darrieus, a
French engineer. The Darrieus wind
mill is a vertical axis machine that
has the same advantage of a modern
rapidly rotating propeller type
windmill, by use of an efficient airfoil,
effectively intercepts large area of
wind with a small blade area.
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10. What form of force acts on the
blades of Darrieus machine?
a) Pure tension
b) Compression
c) Shear force
d) Air resistance force
Answer: a
Explanation: Darrieus wind mill has
two or three thin, curved blades with
airfoil cross section and constant
chord length. Both ends of blades are
attached to a vertical shaft. Thus the
force in the blade due to rotation is
pure tension.
11. Which type of vertical wind
machine has relatively low solidity
and low starting torques?
a) Cup anemometer
b) Savonius rotor
c) Darrieus type rotor
d) Magnus effect rotor
Answer: c
Explanation: Darrieus type rotors are
lift devices characterized by curved
blades with air foil cross sections.
They have relatively low solidity and
low starting torques, but high tip to
wind speeds and therefore relatively
higher power outputs per given rotor
weight and cost.
12. Which type of vertical wind
machine consists of spinning
cylinders?
a) Cup anemometer
b) Savonius rotor
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c) Darrieus type rotor
d) Magnus effect rotor
Answer: d
Explanation: Magnus effect rotor
concept was first demonstrated by
Magnus in 1912. It consists of
spinning cylinders. When cylinders
spun in wind stream, translational
forces are produced perpendicular to
the wind stream by the Magnus effect.
Such a device can be used to propel
ships or land vehicles.
13. Aero turbine is the fraction of
power in the wind through the swept
area which is converted into useful
mechanical shaft power is called
_____________
a) Coefficient of performance
b) Coefficient of variation
c) Coefficient of lift
d) Coefficient of spin
Answer: a
Explanation: The coefficient of
performance of an aero turbine is the
fraction of power in the wind through
the swept area which is converted into
useful mechanical shaft power. Cp for
horizontal axis wind machine has
theoretical maximum value = 0.593.
Horizontal Axis Wind Mill
1. In which of the following, does
machine rotor drives through a step-
up gear box?
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a) Horizontal axis with two
aerodynamic blades
b) Horizontal axis propeller type wind
mill
c) Horizontal axis multi bladed type
wind mill
d) Sail type wind mill
Answer: a
Explanation: In horizontal axis with
two aerodynamic type windmill the
machine rotor drives through a step-
up gear box. The blade rotor is
designed to orient downwind of the
tower. The components are mounted
on bed plate which is attached on a
pintle at the top of the tower.
2. The rotor blades are continuously
flexed by unsteady aerodynamic
gravitational and inertia loads.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: The rotor blades are
continuously flexed by unsteady
aerodynamic gravitational and inertia
loads, when the machine is in
operation. If the blades are made
using metal, flexing reduces their
fatigue life.
3. Which type of the following consists
of single blade?
a) Horizontal axis with two
aerodynamic blades
b) Horizontal axis propeller type wind
mill
©New Heights Series, 2021
c) Horizontal axis multi bladed type
wind mill
d) Sail type wind mill
Answer: b
Explanation: Horizontal axis
propeller type wind mill consists of a
long blade mounted on a rigid hub,
induction generator and gear box. If
extremely long blades are mounted on
rigid hub, large blade root bending
moments occur due to tower shadow,
gravity and sudden shifts in wind
directions.
4. Which windmill blades are made by
an array of wooden slats?
a) Horizontal axis with two
aerodynamic blades
b) Horizontal axis propeller type wind
mill
c) Horizontal axis multi bladed type
wind mill
d) Horizontal axis wind mill Dutch
type
Answer: d
Explanation: Dutch type wind mill is
one of the oldest wind mills in
designs. The blade surfaces are made
from an array of wooden slats which
rotates at high wind speeds. These
types of wind mill are cheap to build
since the wood is made use of to
build.
5. Which type of windmill blades are
made out of sheet metal or aluminum?
a) Horizontal axis with two
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aerodynamic blades
b) Horizontal axis propeller type wind
mill
c) Horizontal axis multi bladed type
wind mill
d) Sail type wind mill
Answer: c
Explanation: Horizontal axis multi
blade windmill is made from sheet
metal or aluminum. The rotors have
high strength to weight ratios. They
have good power coefficient, high
starting torque and added advantages
of simplicity and low cost.
6. Which type of wind mills blade are
made out of cloth?
a) Horizontal axis with two
aerodynamic blades
b) Horizontal axis propeller type wind
mill
c) Horizontal axis multi bladed type
wind mill
d) Sail type wind mill
Answer: d
Explanation: The blade surface of sail
type wind mill is made of cloth, nylon
or plastics arranged as mast and pole
or sail wings. There is also variation
in the number of sails used. Sails are
found in different designs, from
primitive common sails to the
advances patent sails.
7. Which type of windmill has better
performance?
a) Vertical type wind mills
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b) Darrieus type machines
c) Magnus effect rotor
d) Horizontal type windmills
Answer: d
Explanation: The horizontal axis mills
generally have netter performance.
They have been used for various
applications including electric power
generation, and pumping water. The
latter introduces some complexity into
the design as the mechanical energy
has to be transmitted over a distance.
8. What does TSR stand for in design
consideration of wind mills?
a) Tip speed ratio
b) Torque-synchronous ratio
c) Tip suspension ratio
d) Temporary speed restriction
Answer: a
Explanation: The tip speed ratio, X,
or TSR for wind turbines is the ratio
between the tangential speed of the tip
of a blade and the actual speed of the
wind. The tip speed ratio is related to
efficiency, with the optimum varying
with blade design.
9. With up to how many propellers
can windmills are built?
a) 4
b) 2
c) 7
d) 6
Answer: d
Explanation: Wind turbines have been
built with up to six propellers type
8
blades but two and three bladed
propellers are most common. A one
bladed rotor with a balancing counter
weight has some advantages,
including lower weight and cost and
simpler controls, over the multi-
bladed type.
10. Turbines with how many
propellers are used in order to avoid
vibrations?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
Answer: c
Explanation: Turbines with three
blades are used to avoid vibrations
that occur due to the turning or
yawing of the rotor in order to face in
into the wind. However, this problem
can be overcome by controlling the
yaw rate.
11. What type of cross sections does
wind turbine blades have?
a) Penta hedral cross section
b) Air foiled type cross section
c) Radar cross section
d) Turbo cross section
Answer: b
Explanation: Wind turbine blades
have an air foiled type of cross
section and a variable pitch. They are
slightly twisted from the outer tip to
the root in order to reduce the
tendency for the rotor to stall. The
©New Heights Series, 2021
blades can also have constant chord
length.
12. What does WECS stands for?
a) Wind energy conversion system
b) Wind engine control system
c) Wind energy combined system
d) Wind engine comparison system
Answer: a
Explanation: A wind energy
conversion system (WECS), or wind
energy harvester is a machine that,
powered by the energy of the wind,
generates mechanical energy that can
be used to directly power machinery
or to power an electrical generator
for making electricity.
Wind Turbine Operation
1. What is the inherent weakness of
all wind machines?
a) Their efficiencies
b) Requires powerful winds to make
fan rotate
c) Their dependency on the wind
speed
d) Cannot be easily repaired
Answer: c
Explanation: An inherent weakness of
all wind machines is the strong
dependence of the power produced on
wheel diameter and wind speed, being
proportional to turbine wheel area,
i.e. to the square of its diameter and
to the cube of wind velocity.
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2. Why severe fluctuations in power
are always undesirable in windmill?
a) Because they pose power
oscillations problems
b) Damage of parts due to
fluctuations
c) The efficiency of the plant will be
reduced
d) Results in damage to the whole
plant
Answer: a
Explanation: Severe fluctuations in
power are always undesirable,
because they pose power oscillation
problems on the grid and severe
strains on the windmill hardware.
From an economic point of view, a
windmill is designed to produce a
rated power output corresponding to
maximum, or near maximum,
prevailing wind velocity at a given
site would generate low powers, with
full capacity of the turbine and
electric generator unused much of
time.
3. Maintenance of constant output at
all wind speeds above rating is called
_________
a) Numeric rating scale
b) Tenancy
c) Flat Rating
d) TRP
Answer: c
Explanation: More cost-effective
design to a wind mill to produce rated
©New Heights Series, 2021
power at less than the maximum
prevailing wind velocity, using a
smaller turbine and generator and to
maintain a constant output at all wind
speeds above rating. This is called flat
rating.
4. A wind turbine designed too to
come into operation at a minimum
wind speed is called _________
a) Cut in velocity
b) Windward
c) Cut out velocity
d) Upwind location
Answer: a
Explanation: Due to several loss in
efficiency and power at low wind
velocities, a wind turbine is designed
to come into operation at a minimum
wind speed called the cut in velocity.
Thus, the wind turbine operates with
variable load over a narrow range
between cut in.
5. Why is wind turbine designed to
stop operation at cut out velocity?
a) To protect wheel against damage
b) To make a quick stop in
emergencies
c) To improve the efficiency
d) In order to adjust the blades to
wind direction
Answer: a
Explanation: To protect the turbine
wheel against damage at very high
wind velocities, it is designed to stop
operation (such as feathering the
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blades) at cut out velocity. Thus the
wind turbine operates at rated
velocities and at constant power
between the rated and cut out
velocities and ceases the operation
above the cut out velocity.
6. The fraction of time during a given
period that the turbine is actually on
line is called?
a) Availability factor
b) Flat rating
c) Cut in velocity
d) Cut out velocity
Answer: a
Explanation: The availability factor is
defined as the fraction of time during
a given period that the turbine is
actually on line. The actual wind
velocity at the propeller hub that
determines the turbine power is
usually higher.
7. Over load factor is also called as
_____________
a) availability factor
b) plant operating factor
c) flat rating
d) cut out velocity
Answer: a
Explanation: The overall load factor,
also called the plant operating factor
and the plant capacity factor is the
ratio of the total energy generated
during a given period of time to the
total rated generation capacity during
the same period.
©New Heights Series, 2021
8. How many of windmills are there?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
Answer: a
Explanation: There are two classes of
windmill, horizontal axis and vertical
axis. The vertical axis design was
popular during the early development
of the windmill. However, its
inefficiency of operation let to the
development of numerous horizontal
axis designs.
9. Name the windmill which has four
blades mounted on a central post.
a) Post mill
b) Smock mill
c) Tower mill
d) Fan mill
Answer: a
Explanation: The post mill has blades
mounted on a central post. The
horizontal shaft of the blade is
connected to a large break wheel. The
break wheel interacts with a gear
system, called the wallower, which
rotates a central, vertical shaft. This
motion can then be used to power
water pumping or grain grinding
activities.
10. Name the type of windmill which
consists of a sloping, horizontally
weather boarded or thatched tower.
a) Post mill
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b) Smock mill
c) Tower mill
d) Fan mill
Answer: b
Explanation: The smock mill is a type
of windmill that consists of a sloping,
horizontally weather boarded or
thatched tower, usually with six or
eight sides. It is topped with a roof or
cap that rotates to bring the sails into
the wind. It is similar to post mill. It is
named so because of its appearance.
11. Which are further improvements
on smock mill?
a) Post mill
b) Smock mill
c) Tower mill
d) Fan mill
Answer: c
Explanation: Tower mills are further
improvements on smock mills. They
have a rotating cap and permanent
body, but this body is made of brick or
stone. This fact makes it possible for
the towers to be rounded. A round
structure of it allows for large and
taller towers.
12. Which type of windmills are been
used for primary purposes?
a) Post mill
b) Smock mill
c) Tower mill
d) Fan mill
Answer: d
Explanation: The fan type windmill is
©New Heights Series, 2021
specifically made for individuals. It is
much smaller and used primarily for
pumping water. It consists of a fixed
tower (mast), a wheel and tail
assembly (fan), a head assembly, and
a pump.
Velocity and Power from Wind
1. Select the formula for total power
p t?
a) Pt = 12gc ρAVi3
b) Pt = ρAVi3D3
c) Pt = 12gc Vi3D3
d) Pt = 2gcVi3
Answer: a
Explanation:
2. Why blade velocity of wind turbine
varies?
a) Due to varying wind speeds
b) Long length of blades
c) Due to the height of mount
d) Because of hotness of Sun
12
Answer: b
Explanation: Wind turbine
experiences change in velocity
dependent upon the blade inlet angle
and the blade velocity. Since the
blades are long, the blade velocity
varies with the radius to a greater
degree than steam or gas-turbine
blades and the blades are therefore
twisted.
3. When was the Halladay wind mill
introduced?
a) 1920
b) 1923
c) 1854
d) 1864
Answer: c
Explanation: Invented by Daniel
Halladay in 1854, the Halladay
Standard was the first commercially
successful self-governing windmill in
1854 was the firms of Halladay,
McCray & Co., Ellington, Conn.
Partners in the company were
inventor Daniel Halladay, John
Burnham and Henry McCray.
advertisement
4. How much ideal efficiency should
practical turbine have?
a) 10 – 12%
b) 18 – 25%
c) 80 – 90%
d) 50 – 70%
Answer: d
Explanation: As wind turbine wheel
©New Heights Series, 2021

cannot be completely closed, and 105 Pa

because of spillage and other effects, Air density, ρ = P/RT = (1.01325
practical turbines have 50 to 70% of ×105)/(287(15+273.15)) = 1.226
the ideal efficiency. The real kg/m3.
efficiency η is the product of this and
7. Calculate the air density when
ηmax and is the ratio of an actual to
18m/s wind is at 1std atmospheric
total power.
pressure and 34oC?
P = ηPtot.
a) 1.149 kg/m3
5. How many types are acting on b) 1.9 kg/m3
propeller type wind mill? c) 2.88 kg/m3
a) 2 d) 5.89 kg/m3
b) 3
Answer: a
c) 4
Explanation: For air, gas constant R
d) 5
= 287 J/kgK, 1atm = 1.01325 X
Answer: a 105 Pa
Explanation: There are two types of Air density, ρ = P/RT = (1.01325 ×
forces operating on the blades of a 105)/(287(34+273.15)) = 1.149 kg/m3.
propeller type wind turbine. They are
8. What is the total power produced if
the circumferential forces in the
the turbine diameter is 120m?
direction of wheel rotation that
a) 0.277 KW
provide the torque and the axial
b) 1.224 KW
forces in the direction of the wind
c) 4.28 KW
stream that provide an axial thrust
d) 0.89 KW
that must be counteracted by proper
mechanical design. Answer: a
Explanation: Total power P,
6. Calculate the air density, when
P = 0.245 X (πD2/4)
10m/s wind is at 1std atmospheric
= 0.245 X (π (120)2/4)
pressure and 15oC?
= 0.277 KW.
a) 1.226 kg/m3
b) 1.033 kg/m3 9. What is the total power produced if
c) 2.108 kg/m3 the turbine diameter is 90m?
d) 0.922 kg/m3 a) 0.155KW
b) 0.982 KW
Answer: a
c) 1.452 KW
Explanation: For air, gas constant R
d) 3.12 KW
= 287 J/kgK, 1atm = 1.01325 X

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©New Heights Series, 2021

Answer: a be utilized to run wind mill which in

Explanation: Total power P, turn, is used to drive the generators.
P = 0.245 X (πD2/4)
3. How much wind power does India
= 0.245 X (π (90)2/4)
hold?
= 0.155KW.
a) 20,000 MW
b) 12,000 MW
c) 140,000 MW
Generation of Wind Energy
d) 5000 MW
1. What does Heating and cooling of
Answer: a
the atmosphere generates?
Explanation: India has a potential of
a) Thermo line circulation
20,000 MW of wind power. Wind
b) Radiation currents
power accounts nearly 9.87% of
c) Convection currents
India’s total installed power
d) Conduction currents
generation capacity. Generation of
Answer: c wind power in India mainly account
Explanation: Wind energy can be from southern state of India.
economically used for the generation
4. What is the main source for the
of electrical energy. Heating and
formation of wind?
cooling of the atmosphere generates
a) Uneven land
convection currents. Heating is
b) Sun
caused by the absorption of solar
c) Vegetation
energy on the earth surface.
d) Seasons
2. How much is the energy available
Answer: b
in the winds over the earth surface is
Explanation: Wind is free and
estimated to be?
renewable form of energy, which
a) 2.9 X 120 MW
throughout history has been used to
b) 1.6 X 107 MW
grind grain, power ships, and pump
c) 1 MW
water. Wind is created when the sun
d) 5MW
unevenly heats the earth surface.
Answer: b
5. Which country created wind mills?
Explanation: The energy available in
a) Egypt
the winds over the earth surface is
b) Mongolia
estimated to be 1.6 X 107 MW which
c) Iran
is almost the same as the present-day
d) Japan
energy consumption. Wind energy can

14
©New Heights Series, 2021
Answer: c
Explanation: The earliest known wind
mills were in Persia (Iran). These
early wind mills looked like large
paddle wheels. Centuries later, the
people of Holland improved the basic
design of wind mill. Holland is
famous for its wind mills.
6. “During the day, the air above the
land heats up more quickly than the
air over water”.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Explanation: During the day, the air
above the land heats up more quickly
than the air over water. The warm air
over the land expands and raises, and
the heavier, cooler air rushes in to
take its place, creating winds.
7. What happens when the land near
the earth’s equator is heated?
a) All the oceans gets heated up
b) Small wind currents are formed
c) Rise in tides
d) Large atmospheric winds are
created
Answer: d
Explanation: The large atmospheric
winds that circle the earth are created
because the land near the earth’s
equator is heated more by the sun
than the land near the north and south
poles. Wind energy is mainly used to
generate electricity.
15
8. What type of energy is wind
energy?
a) Renewable energy
b) Non-renewable energy
c) Conventional energy
d) Commercial energy
Answer: a
Explanation: Wind is called a
renewable energy source because the
wind will blow as long as the shines.
Wind power, as an alternative to
burning fossil fuels, is plentiful,
renewable, widely distributed, clean,
produces no greenhouse gas
emissions during operation, consumes
no water, and uses little land.
9. What are used to turn wind energy
into electrical energy?
a) Turbine
b) Generators
c) Yaw motor
d) Blades
Answer: a
Explanation: Wind turbine blades
capture wind energy, a form of
mechanical energy, and put it to work
turning a drive shaft, gearbox, and
generator to produce electrical
energy. Many factors affect wind
turbine efficiency including turbine
blade aerodynamics.
10. What is the diameter of wind
turbine blades?
a) 320 feet
b) 220 feet
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c) 80 feet wind power in India began in 1990s.

d) 500 feet Presently India is the world’s fourth
largest wind power generator. The
Answer: b
Indian energy sector has an installed
Explanation: Large utility-scale wind
capacity of 32.72 GW. Today India is
turbines can now generate more than
a major player in the global wind
a MW of electrical power each and
energy market.
deliver electricity directly in to the
electric grid, these turbines are
placed at 200 feet height at the rotor
“Effects of Wind Speed and Grid
hub and have blades which are 220
Condition (System Integration) – 1”.
feet or more in diameter.
1. Why is the energy output of wind
11. At what range of speed is the
power plant variable?
electricity from the wind turbine is
a) Wind speed is variable
generated?
b) Wind speed is an unknown constant
a) 100 – 125 mph
c) Wind speed is known constant
b) 450 – 650 mph
d) Poor equipment is used
c) 250 – 450 mph
d) 30-35 mph Answer: a
Clarification: The energy output of
Answer: d
any wind power plant (WPP) is
Explanation: Wind turbines are
variable because the wind speed is
designed with cut-in wind speeds and
variable. The equipment used in
cut-out speeds i.e. the wind speeds
power plant is designed to deal with
when the turbines start turning or
such variability and uncertainty.
shut off to prevent drive train damage.
Typically, maximum electric 2. Which of the following is a reason
generations occur at speeds of 30- for variable wind speed?
35mph. a) Water
b) Earth’s rotation
12. When did the development of wind
c) Electrons
power in India began?
d) Fans
a) 1965
b) 1954 Answer: b
c) 1990 Clarification: Day and night cycle
d) 1985 caused by earth’s rotation and
seasonal changes due to tilt axis of
Answer: c
earth cause changes in wind speed.
Explanation: The development of
16
©New Heights Series, 2021
Water, electrons and fans do not
affect wind speed.
3. What is grid integration of wind
energy?
a) Planning the connection of wind
power plant to the grid
b) Physical connection of wind power
plant to the grid
c) Energy sent from grid to run the
wind turbines
d) Collection of all activities related
to connecting wind power plants to
the grid
Answer: d
Clarification: Grid integration of
wind energy is simply the collection of
all activities related to connecting
wind power plants to the grid. The
wind power plant sends energy to the
grid. It does not consume energy from
the grid.
4. Which of the following depicts the
correct order of the stages involved in
grid integration of wind energy?
a) System operations → physical
connection → planning
b) Planning → system operations →
physical connection
c) Planning → physical connection →
system operations
d) Physical connection → planning
→ system operations
17
Answer: c
Clarification: Grid integration of
wind energy consists of three stages
starting with planning the connection.
After laying out the plan, the power
plant is physically connected to the
substation (grid). Lastly, the
functioning of each system is handled
under systems operation.
5. What are the two types of planning
activities related to grid integration?
a) Network-wide and project-specific
b) BJT and MOSFET
c) Rotor and shaft
d) Low power and high-power designs
Answer: a
Clarification: The two types of
planning activities related to grid
integration are network-wide and
project-specific activities. BJT and
MOSFET are electronic/electrical
devices (components). Rotor and shaft
are used in a rotating mechanism.
Low power and high power designs
are circuit design specifications.
6. Which of the following best
describes network-wide planning
activity in grid integration?
a) Planning activities related to a
unique wind project
b) Planning activities for all the
future wind power plants
c) Planning activities for a
telecommunication system
d) Planning activities for the
©New Heights Series, 2021
maintenance of the existing wind
power plants
Answer: b
Clarification: Network-wide plans are
laid out for all the future wind power
plants. Planning activities for a
telecommunication system are not
related to grid integration of wind
energy. Maintenance of existing wind
power plants is covered in the
previous network-wide plan.
7. Network-wide plans in wind energy
grid integration include _______
a) system impact studies done for a
specific wind project
b) materials used to manufacture
wind turbine blades
c) developing grid code
d) solar panel manufacturing plant
Answer: c
Clarification: Network-wide plans
include development of grid code,
network-wide system integration
studies with scenarios for different
levels of wind penetration and system
operation studies. They are not done
for a specific wind project.
8. What is project specific planning in
wind energy grid integration?
a) Planning activities for a solar
panel system
b) Planning activities for all the
future wind power plants
c) Planning activities related to a
unique wind project
18
d) Planning activities for the
maintenance of the existing thermal
power plants
Answer: c
Clarification: Project specific
planning activities in wind energy
grid integration are planning
activities related to a unique wind
project. They include system impact
studies done for a specific wind
project. The input for this type of
study is the wind power plant which is
being studied.
9. In a substation, the wind power
plant line is connected to a _______
voltage bus bar.
a) high
b) low
c) mini
d) medium
Answer: d
Clarification: In a substation, the
wind power plant line is connected a
medium voltage bus bar. A medium
voltage bus bar is used for medium
voltages – 10kV to 50kV. At the wind
turbine generator, this bar is
connected to a step-up transformer
which steps up the output of the
generator from 0.69kV to 11kV or
33kV.
10. Which of the following are a few
primary tests performed after
commissioning phase in the physical
connection stage?
©New Heights Series, 2021
a) Switch-gear functioning and
quality parameters
b) Feathering
c) Wind turbine blade tests
d) Rotor and shaft tests
Answer: a
Clarification: Testing the functioning
of switch-gear, quality parameters
like harmonics and flicker, proper
start-up and shut down are crucial
during grid integration. Feathering of
blades is done to prevent the blades
from being damaged by storm winds.
Wind turbine blade, rotor and shaft
tests do not come under grid
integration tests.
11. Which of the following are
impacts of grid integration of wind
power plant?
a) Day-ahead unit commitment
process
b) Day-ahead unit commitment
process, economic dispatch process
c) Generator types
d) Rotor and shaft tests
Answer: b
Clarification: The unit commitment
process is cost-effective combination
of generating units to meet forecasted
load and reserve requirements, while
adhering to generator and
transmission constraints. Economic
dispatch is the optimization of
production from generators to
minimize cost of generation while
19
meeting all the constraints. In most
grids, wind energy has the highest
priority due to its low marginal costs.
12. Which of the following is/are good
practices for grid integration of wind
power plant?
a) Day-ahead unit commitment
process
b) Day-ahead unit commitment
process, economic dispatch process
c) Optimized transmission from
resources-rich areas to load, flexible
generation
d) Rotor and shaft tests
Answer: c
Clarification: Optimizing
transmission from resource-rich areas
to load saves both, power and costs.
Using the under-utilized line to
transmit power instead of setting a
new transmission line is an example
of optimization. Flexible power
generation helps meeting in varying
power demands.
13. What is a grid code for wind
energy integration?
a) A binary code
b) A hexadecimal code
c) A code of conduct
d) A rulebook specifying generator
properties
Answer: d
Clarification: A grid code for
integration is a rulebook that specifies
properties of generators and other
©New Heights Series, 2021

equipment used to connect to the grid. flow of electrical energy from

The equipment must satisfy these
properties to ensure reliable and safe
operation.
14. What are the types of grid
integration costs?
a) Transmission extension, volatility
balancing, covering peak load
b) Marginal cost
c) Fixed cost
d) Fundamental Analysis
Answer: a
Clarification: Grid integration costs
are divided into three categories –
transmission extension, balancing of
increased volatility in grid and
covering the peak load. The other
options are various terms used in
economics and finance to define
different types of costs. They are not
particularly related to grid
integration.
15. What is a power flow study in
wind energy integration?
a) A binary code
b) Determines flow of electrical
energy from generators to consumers
c) Determines flow of electrical
energy from generators to consumers
meeting line loading requirements
d) A study specifying generator
properties
Answer: c
Clarification: A power flow study in
wind energy integration determines
20
generators to consumers meeting line
loading requirements and all grid
code requirements. It is performed
using various power systems
modelling software like PSS/E and
ETAP.
Effects of Wind Speed and Grid
Condition (System Integration)
1. What happens to wind speed when
many turbines operate collectively?
a) Wind speed reduces
b) Wind speed increases
c) Wind speed does not change
d) Wind speed increases exponentially
and then decreases linearly
Answer: a
Clarification: Wind turbines are used
to extract kinetic energy from the
incoming wind. When multiple
turbines operate collectively, the wind
speed of the atmospheric flow reduces
after crossing each turbine. This
affects the efficiency of the turbines.
2. Which of the following is true?
a) More than 50% of the land area on
earth can generate 1W per square
meter
b) Less than 5% of the land area on
earth can generate 1W per square
meter
c) 60 – 80% of the land area on earth
can generate 1W per square meter
d) More than 80% of the land area on
©New Heights Series, 2021
earth can generate 1W per square
meter
Answer: b
Clarification: After multiple
simulations, research has shown that
less than 5% of land area can actually
generate 1W per square meter. A
global climate model was used to
simulate scenarios of different wind
energy across all continents.
3. Lower wind speeds result in
________
a) higher wind energy obtained
b) no wind energy obtained
c) lower wind energy obtained
d) 100% energy conversion for half
the operation time and less than 10%
energy conversion for the remaining
half of the operation time
Answer: c
Clarification: Wind speeds
disproportionally affect the electricity
generation from wind turbines. Lower
wind speeds result in much lower
wind energy. This further decreases
the conversion efficiency resulting in
extremely low powers.
4. What happens to the output power
when the wind turbine blades rotate
faster for the entire operation time?
a) The output power first increases
then decreases
b) The output power first decreases
then monotonically increases
21
c) The output power decreases
d) The output power increases
Answer: d
Clarification: When the wind turbine
blades rotate faster for the entire
operation time, the output power
increases. The output power increases
until the speed of rotation is
decreased.
5. Higher wind speeds _________ the
speed of rotation of the wind blades.
a) increase
b) decrease
c) monotonically decrease
d) first increase and then decrease
Answer: a
Clarification: Higher wind speeds
increase the speed of rotation of the
wind blades. This in turn generates
more output power as the net
mechanical energy increased due to
increase in rotational speed of the
wind blade.
6. What is cut-in wind speed?
a) Wind turbine stops generating
output power
b) Wind turbine starts generating
output power
c) Wind turbine stops functioning
d) Wind turbine starts functioning
Answer: b
Clarification: Wind turbines are
designed to operate within a specific
range of wind speeds. The cut-in wind
speed is that wind speed at which the
©New Heights Series, 2021
wind turbine starts generating output
power. It is not the speed at which the
turbine starts functioning.
7. What is rated speed?
a) Wind turbines generate least output
power
b) Wind turbines do not generate any
output power
c) Wind turbines generate maximum
output power
d) Wind turbines have no rated speed
as the output power always increases
Answer: c
Clarification: The rated wind speed is
that wind speed at which the wind
turbines generate maximum output
power. Maximum power point
tracking (MPPT) is used to ensure
that the wind turbines always operate
in the neighbourhood of the rated
wind speed.
8. Which of the following are the
limits of the range of wind speeds for
which the turbines are designed?
a) Elasticity
b) Threshold voltage
c) Networking
d) Cut-in speed and cut-out speed
Answer: d
Clarification: Since wind turbines are
designed to operate within a specific
range of wind speeds, they have
limits. The lower limit is called the
cut-in speed and the upper limit is
called the cut-out speed. Elasticity is
22
the ability of a material to come back
to its original shape after stretching.
Threshold voltage is related to
electrical devices like diodes, BJTs,
etc.
9. How does the output power vary
between cut-in speed and the rated
speed?
a) cubically
b) linearly
c) square
d) exponential
Answer: a
Clarification: Between the cut-in
speed and the rated speed, the output
power of the wind turbines varies
cubically. The output power cubically
increases until the rated speed is
reached – if the wind speed doubles,
the output power increases by 8 times.
10. What is the cut-out speed?
a) Wind turbine starts generating
output power
b) Wind turbine must be shut down
c) Wind turbine stops functioning
d) Wind turbine starts functioning but
does not generate output power
Answer: b
Clarification: Cut-out speed is the
wind speed at which the wind turbine
must be shut down. This prevents
damage to the equipment used in the
wind turbines. The cut-out speed is
decided prior to wind turbine
construction.
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11. Power output is not related to the 14. What is feather of wind turbine
local air density. blades?
a) False a) Adding feathers to the blades
b) True b) Reducing the weight of wind
turbine blades
Answer: a
c) Reducing the angle of pitch
Clarification: Power output is related
d) Increasing the angle of pitch
to the local air density. Air density is
defined as the mass per unit volume of Answer: d
the earth’s atmosphere. It depends on Clarification: Increasing the angle of
various physical factors. pitch is called feathering of wind
turbine blades. It is achieved by
12. Which of the following does the
turning the blades to orient them in a
local air density depend upon?
direction parallel to the air flow. This
a) Soil
minimized the net drag on the wind
b) Lightning
turbine blades.
c) Altitude and pressure
d) Nitrogen and oxygen 15. Why is feathering of wind turbine
blades required?
Answer: c
a) To increase drag
Clarification: Air density depends on
b) To reduce drag
altitude, pressure and temperature. It
c) To prevent the blades from being
does not depend on soil and its
destroyed by strong winds
topography as well as on lightning.
d) To extract power from strong
Nitrogen and oxygen are types of
winds originating from storms
gases and are components of air.
Answer: c
13. Higher air density leads to higher
Clarification: Feathering of wind
power output.
turbine blades is used to prevent the
a) True
blades from destruction by storm
b) False
winds. By orienting the wind blades in
Answer: a a direction parallel to the incoming
Clarification: Higher air density air flow, the net drag from a stopped
results in higher output power. This is propeller is minimized and the system
because denser air exerts more is shut down.
pressure on the wind blades which
increases the speed of rotation. Thus,
an increase in the speed of rotation Major Applications of Wind Power.
increases output power.
23
©New Heights Series, 2021
1. Which of the following is not an
application of wind energy?
a) Electricity
b) Steam engine
c) Agriculture
d) Energy storage for emergencies
Answer: b
Clarification: Steam engine is not an
application of wind energy because
coal was used to generate the steam
powering the engine. Wind is used to
generate electricity with the help of
wind turbines. This energy can either
be stored for emergencies or can be
used in agriculture, viz. pumping
water.
2. Which of the following sports use
wind energy?
a) Wind surfing
b) Chess
c) Carroms
d) Kho-Kho
Answer: a
Clarification: Wind surfing is a
surface water sport that combines
elements of surfing and sailing. Chess
and carroms are board games. Kho-
Kho is a running sport. All three of
them do not use wind energy.
3. Does the team sport cricket, use
wind?
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: Cricket is a team sport
24
that uses wind energy in a unique
manner. Wind energy is used to swing
the ball into (or away from) the
batsman. This phenomenon is
demonstrated by Magnus effect.
4. How is wind energy used in
flourmills?
a) To beat corn grains into paste
b) To beat wheat grains into paste
c) To grind wheat and corn grains
into flour
d) Wind energy is not used in
flourmills
Answer: c
Clarification: Wind energy is used in
flourmills to grind wheat and corn
grains into their respective flour.
Wind mill blades are connected to a
drive shaft which is in turn connected
to gears and millstones. When the
grains are poured into the revolving
millstone, the motion grinds it into
flour.
5. Which of the following wind turbine
is mostly used to extract wind energy?
a) DC generator
b) Vertical-axis wind turbines
c) Sailing boat
d) Horizontal-axis wind turbines
Answer: d
Clarification: Horizontal-axis wind
turbines are mostly used to extract
wind energy. They are made up of
several blades that are
aerodynamically shaped like airplane
©New Heights Series, 2021
wings and are based on ancestral
winds. Sailing boats use wind energy
and do not extract energy from wind.
DC generator generates DC current.
6. Wind energy is not used to pump
water to a higher level.
a) True
b) False
Answer: b
Clarification: Wind energy is used to
pump water from a lower level to a
higher level. A horizontal-axis wind
mill with multiple blades is typically
used to pump the water.
7. _______ light is used to denote
dangers of birds, bats or/and
airplanes.
a) Red
b) Blue
c) Yellow
d) Green
Answer: a
Clarification: The red light is used to
indicate any danger like birds or bats.
It is fitted on the wind mill to identify
itself with the airplanes.
8. Which of the following is a
mechanical application of wind
energy?
a) Lighting
b) Electricity
c) Pumping water
d) Wind surfing
25
Answer: c
Clarification: Pumping water is a
mechanical application of wind
energy. Generating and transporting
electricity to the grid as well as
lighting are electrical applications.
Wind surfing is a sport that uses wind
energy.
9. Which of the following is a
potential application of wind energy?
a) Converting heat to wind energy
b) Converting electrical energy to
wind energy
c) Transportation of electrical energy
d) Converting the wind flow due to
speeding cars into electricity on
highways
Answer: d
Clarification: Wind blowing due to
speeding cars on highways or trains
can be used to power street lamps and
is a potential application of wind
energy. Converting other forms of
energy to wind energy is not an
application of wind energy.
Transportation of electrical energy is
an existing practice.
10. Does flying a kite use wind
energy?
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: Flying a kite and
maintaining it in air requires two
things – consistent wind flow and
©New Heights Series, 2021

proper kite control by the user. For direction of wind flow. A simplified
the kite to remain stable in the air, it explanation of lift is that it should
requires a constant wind flowing travel faster to reach the end of the
across its sides. blade to meet the wind travelling over
upwind face of the blade.
Wind Turbine Aerodynamics – 1.
3. Drag is an aerodynamic force
1. What are the two primary
acting ______
aerodynamic forces acting on wind
a) perpendicular to the direction of
turbine rotors?
wind flow
a) Lift, drag
b) parallel to the direction of wind
b) Drag, gravitational force
flow
c) Gravitational force, lift
c) diagonal to the direction of wind
d) Gravitational force, electrical force
flow
Answer: a d) opposite to the direction of wind
Clarification: Lift and drag are the flow
two primary aerodynamic forces
Answer: b
acting on modern wind turbine rotors.
Clarification: Drag is an
Gravitational force is due to earth’s
aerodynamic force acting in the
gravity and is not an aerodynamic
direction parallel to the wind flow.
force. Similarly, electrical force is due
Though it is conceptually simple, it
to an electrical potential difference or
has poor power extraction vs area
an electric field and is not an
efficiency.
aerodynamic force.
4. What is an aerodynamic force?
2. Lift is an aerodynamic force acting
a) Force exerted on the body due to
_______
mass of another body nearby
a) opposite to the direction of wind
b) Force exerted on the body by liquid
flow
c) Force exerted on the body by air
b) parallel to the direction of wind
(or any gas) in which the body is
flow
immersed
c) diagonal to the direction of wind
d) Force exerted on the body due to a
flow
charged particle
d) perpendicular to the direction of
wind flow Answer: c
Clarification: Aerodynamic force is
Answer: d
the force exerted on a body by air (or
Clarification: Lift is an aerodynamic
any gas) in which the body is
force that acts perpendicular to the
26
©New Heights Series, 2021
immersed. It is due to the relative
motion between the body and air.
Buoyancy is the force exerted by the
liquid in which the body is immersed.
Gravitational force on a body is due
to mass of another body.
5. What happens on the upwind side
of the wind mill blade?
a) No pressure is exerted
b) Low pressure area
c) High pressure area
d) Wind is trapped
Answer: c
Clarification: On the upwind side of
the wind mill blade, a region of high
pressure is formed. This is due to slow
movement of air on the upwind side as
compared to the downwind side.
6. The upwind side experiences a
force that slows the blade.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The upwind side
experiences a force due to the slow
movement of air relative to the
downside. This results in a region of
high pressure on the upwind side
which exerts a force that slows the
blade’s movement.
7. What is lift-to-drag ratio?
a) Amount of lift generated by a blade
divided by its aerodynamic drag
b) Amount of drag generated by a
blade divided by its lift
27
c) Amount of drag generated by a
blade divided by its aerodynamic lift
d) Amount of lift generated by a blade
divided by its aerodynamic drag
Answer: a
Clarification: Lift-to-drag ratio is the
amount of lift generated by a blade
(or a wing/ flying vehicle) divided by
its aerodynamic drag. It’s essential to
determine the blade’s efficiency and is
considered during the design of the
wing.
8. A higher lift-to-drag ratio indicates
a higher efficiency.
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: As the name suggests,
lift-to-drag ratio is the ratio of the
aerodynamic lift generated by the
blade to the aerodynamic drag
generated by the blade. It is used to
determine the efficiency of the blade.
Higher the lift-to-drag ratio, higher
the efficiency.
9. Turbine blades use a/an _______
design.
a) bulky
b) airfoil
c) teardrop
d) train’s
Answer: b
Clarification: Airfoil design is the
cross-sectional shape of an airplane
wing. Turbine blades us an airfoil
©New Heights Series, 2021
design. Unlike trains and trucks, they
are not bulky. Though teardrop is the
most aerodynamic shape, turbine
blades don’t use this design.
10. Which of the following is the
governing equation for power
extraction and calculation? Note that
the text in bold denotes a vector
quantity.
a) Power = force . velocity
b) Power = force . area
c) Power = velocity . force
d) Power = energy / time
Answer: a
Clarification: In aerodynamics,
power = force . velocity is used to
extract and calculate power. Though
power = energy / time is correct but
both energy and time are written in
bold which is not true. Energy and
time are scalar quantities. The other
options are mathematically incorrect.
11. Why is it necessary to have an
optimal tip speed ratio (TSR)?
a) To ensure maximum efficiency
b) To ensure good aerodynamics
c) To increase drag
d) To ensure minimum efficiency but
good aerodynamics
Answer: a
Clarification: Optimal tip speed ratio
is required to ensure maximum
efficiency in converting wind energy
to mechanical energy. If the propeller
blades rotate too slowly, it allows too
28
much wind to pass through
undisturbed and does not extract
sufficient energy. However, if the
blades rotate too quickly, it creates a
large amount of drag.
12. What is tip speed ratio (TSR)?
a) Ratio of wind speed to the speed of
rotor
b) Ratio of the speed of rotor tip to
wind speed
c) Ratio of wind speed to the speed of
rotor tip
d) Ratio of wind speed to the speed of
the blade’s center
Answer: b
Clarification: Tip speed ratio is the
ratio of the speed of the rotor tip to
the wind speed. It is used to determine
the optimal speed at which the rotor
(and blades) are required to rotate to
ensure maximum efficiency.
13. What does tip speed ratio (TSR)
depend on?
a) Motor material
b) Wind tower material
c) Rotor blade shape profile
d) Different types of gases
Answer: c
Clarification: Tip speed ratio depends
on rotor blade shape and its wind
profile. It also depends on the number
of turbine blades and the design of the
wind turbine propeller.
14. Which of the following blade
designs is becoming less popular?
©New Heights Series, 2021
a) HAWT
b) Airfoil design
c) Curve design
d) Flat blade design
Answer: d
Clarification: Flat blade design is one
of the oldest designs and is becoming
less popular due its low efficiency.
Airfoil and curve designs deliver
much higher efficiencies. Horizontal
axis wind turbine (HAWT) is a
propeller type and not a blade design.
15. The airfoil/curve blade designs
are affected by drag along its length.
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: Drag is one of the two
important aerodynamic forces. It
reduces the blade’s rotating speed.
Thus, blades need to be designed in
such a way that they experience
minimum drag force.
Wind Turbine Aerodynamics – 2.
1. How is drag force experienced by
the blade reduced in various modern
blade designs?
a) Bending and tapering the blade
b) Using heavy metals
c) Twirling the blade
d) Increasing the length of the blade
Answer: a
Clarification: Turbine blades
experience drag force. They are bent
29
and tapered along their length to
reduce the effect of drag force.
2. What is angle of attack?
a) Angle between downwind side and
upwind side
b) Angle between the blade and the
rotor
c) Angle between the direction of
wind and pitch of the blade
d) Angle between the blade and the
wind tower
Answer: c
Clarification: Angle of attack is the
angle between the direction of the
oncoming wind and the pitch of the
blade. It is important to note that
position of the pitch of the blade is
with respect to the oncoming wind.
3. When plotting lift vs angle of
attack, which of following best
describes the shape of the curve?
a) Exponential
b) Cubic
c) Linear
d) Parabolic
Answer: d
Clarification: The shape of lift vs
angle of attack curve is parabolic in
nature. The value of lift attains a
maxima when the angle is between
15-18 degrees.
4. There is no ideal angle of attack for
best rotation.
a) True
b) False
©New Heights Series, 2021
Answer: b
Clarification: There is an ideal angle
of attack that creates best rotation. It
can be seen that the value of lift
increases as the angle increases and
then decreases as the angle crosses
20 degrees.
5. The speed at the tip of the blade is
faster than its center.
a) True
b) False
Answer: a
Clarification: The speed of the tip of a
rotating blade is faster than its center
or root. This ensures a good tip-
speed-ratio and provides high
efficiency.
6. What is the angle by which the
rotor blades are twisted?
a) 5-10 degrees
b) 15-45 degrees
c) 100-120 degrees
d) 10-20 degrees
Answer: d
Clarification: The rotor blades are
twisted by an angle between 10-20
degrees from root to tip. This ensures
that the angle of attack decreases
from the region where the air is
moving slowly near the root to the
region where the air is moving much
faster at the tip.
7. Which of the following blade
designs further increases the
efficiency of airfoil blades?
30
a) Twisting and tapering the blades
b) Reducing wind tower height
c) Increasing wind tower height
d) Increasing rotor speed
Answer: a
Clarification: Twisting and tapering
any airfoiled blade further increases
its efficiency. The other options may
increase efficiency but they are not
related to blade designs.
8. Why is a blade twisted along its
length rather than its width?
a) Drag reduction
b) Weight reduction
c) Drag reduction and improvement
in angle of attack
d) Aesthetic reasons
Answer: c
Clarification: A rotor blade is twisted
along its length to improve the angle
of attack and reduce drag. It is not
done to reduce weight or for aesthetic
reasons. Every engineering design
has a logical reason.
9. Which of the following blade
designs further increases the
efficiency of airfoil blades?
a) Reducing wind tower height
b) Twisting and tapering the blades
c) Increasing wind tower height
d) Increasing rotor speed
Answer: b
Clarification: Twisting and tapering
any airfoiled blade further increases
its efficiency. The other options may
©New Heights Series, 2021

increase efficiency but they are not greater forces

related to blade designs. b) Longer turbine blades experience
lesser forces
10. Why does wind speed increase
c) Stronger materials are cheaper
with height above ground?
d) Stronger materials are available in
a) More slip boundary conditions
abundance
b) Less obstructions and no slip
boundary conditions Answer: a
c) More obstructions and slip Clarification: Longer turbine blades
boundary conditions experience greater aerodynamic
d) Gas molecules have less mass forces – lift and drag forces. Hence,
they need to be made of stronger
Answer: b
materials which are not particularly
Clarification: Increase in wind speed
cheap.
with increasing height is due to both,
less number of obstructions and no 13. Which of the following is best
slip boundary conditions. While the reason for not using longer blades
fluid analysis at ground level assume even though they produce greater
these conditions, the mathematics for output power?
analyzing at a considerable height a) Longer turbine blades experience
above ground level is suitable greater forces
changed. b) Longer turbine blades experience
lesser forces
11. Increased wind tower height and
c) Safety concerns due to greater
longer blades do not result in an
momentum of longer blades
increase in power.
d) Stronger materials are available in
a) True
abundance
b) False
Answer: c
Answer: b
Clarification: Though longer turbine
Clarification: Increasing the wind
blades produce greater output power;
tower height and blade length results
they are not used commercially
in increased output power. However,
because they have more mass. If any
the benefits of increasing the form
of the blades falls off the tower, its net
factor comes at the expense of
momentum could cause extensively
economics and safety.
damage the environment.
12. Why should longer turbine blades
14. Which theory is used to model the
be made of stronger materials?
wind turbine?
a) Longer turbine blades experience
31
©New Heights Series, 2021

a) Blade element momentum theory Wind Turbine Siting.

b) Kinetic gas theory
1. When looking for a wind site,
c) Archimedes principle
assessors start by _______
d) Einstein’s theory of photoelectric
a) determining the direction of
effect
prevailing wind at the site
Answer: a b) looking for a good source of water
Clarification: Blade momentum c) looking for a location with good
theory is used to for aerodynamic sunlight
modelling due to its simplicity. d) determining all the directions of
Kinetic gas theory is related to gas the local wind
molecules and energy of a gas
Answer: a
molecule. Archimedes principle is
Clarification: To install a wind
related to floatation and immersion of
turbine, wind assessors look for
a body in a liquid. Einstein’s theory is
locations with strong and smooth
related to the photoelectric effect
winds. They start by assessing the
which is a quantum mechanical
direction of the prevailing wind at the
phenomenon.
site. Generally, winds blowing in a
15. What is blade element momentum particular direction are strong and
theory? smooth.
a) It is same as blade element theory
2. Which of the following is required
b) It is same as momentum theory
for the installation of a wind turbine
c) It talks about the motion of a body
system?
in a given frame of reference
a) A weak wind flow
d) It is used to calculate the local
b) A consistent and strong wind flow
forces on the propeller or blade
c) Still air
Answer: d d) A consistent wind flow with
Clarification: Concepts of both, obstructions
element theory and blade momentum
Answer: b
theory are combined and used in
Clarification: For a wind turbine
Blade element momentum theory. It is
system to run effectively, it requires a
used to aerodynamically model
good wind site. A good wind site is
turbine blades and rotors and
one with a consistent and strong wind
calculate the respective local forces
flow in a direction.
on them.
3. Which of the following is preferred
in a good wind site?
32
©New Heights Series, 2021

a) Still air tallest obstacle within a 500-foot

b) A higher altitude terrain with radius.
objects obstructing the wind flow
5. Which of following are considered
c) A higher altitude terrain with no or
during wind siting?
minimum objects obstructing the wind
a) Safety impact, community impact,
flow
environmental impact
d) A lower altitude terrain with no or
b) Radiation
minimum objects obstructing the wind
c) Sunlight
flow
d) Water
Answer: c
Answer: a
Clarification: Terrain is known to
Clarification: Before selecting and
affect wind speeds which in turn affect
deciding on a good site, various
the efficiency of a wind turbine
impacts of installing a wind turbine
system. A higher altitude terrain with
are considered. The engineers ensure
no or minimum objects obstructing
that the wind site does not harm any
the wind flow is always preferred.
living creature. They also ensure that
4. What is the minimum height above the site is far away from the nearest
which the rotor of the wind turbine village to prevent any noise pollution.
system is installed in a good wind
6. Which of the following impacts a
site?
community/village/society due to
a) 100 feet above the tallest obstacle
installation of wind turbine system?
within a 5-foot radius
a) Private and Public cloud
b) 5 feet above the tallest obstacle
b) Noise from the turbine, flicker
within a 500-foot radius
c) Private, Public and Hybrid cloud
c) 10 feet above the tallest obstacle
d) Public and Hybrid cloud
within a 5000-foot radius
d) 30 feet above the tallest obstacle Answer: b
within a 500-foot radius Clarification: Noise, flicker and
signal interference impacts the
Answer: d
nearest community/society/village.
Clarification: A wind turbine can be
The other options are not related to
located anywhere in a good wind site
wind siting.
provided the rotor is installed slightly
on a higher terrain. The rotor is 7. Does the wind turbine harm birds?
typically mounted 30 feet above the a) True
b) False

33
©New Heights Series, 2021
Answer: a
Clarification: The wind turbine
system harms the birds and may even
kill them. Thus, it is imperative to
select a site with minimum or no
living creatures.
8. Which of the following factors
affect wind speed near the turbine
system?
a) Birds flying
b) Sunlight
c) Time of the day, temperature,
season
d) A village far away from the wind
site
Answer: c
Clarification: Time of the day,
temperature and season are a few
factors affecting the wind speed.
While the sun’s heat affects the wind
speed by creating a pressure
difference, sunlight in itself doesn’t.
Effect on a far-away village from the
wind site and birds flying on wind
speed is minimum.
9. Do wind sites need an access to
transmission lines?
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: Potential wind sites
turning into wind farms need access
to transmission lines. Transmission
lines are used to transport the
34
electrical energy generated from the
wind turbine system to the grid.
10. Which of the following can make a
good wind site?
a) A national sanctuary with wildlife
b) A city
c) A village
d) A barren land with wind speed of 6
on beaufort scale
Answer: d
Clarification: A barren land with a
wind speed of 6 on beaufort scale is a
potential wind site. A city, village or
national sanctuary are poor choices
for wind sites as they obstruct wind
flow. Also, it is not safe to install a
wind turbine in such places.
Determination of Wind Loads &
Load Combinations.
1. Which IS Code is used for design
loads for buildings and structures for
wind load?
a) IS 456
b) IS 875 Part 3
c) IS 500
d) IS 1280
Answer: b
Clarification: For design loads for
buildings and structures for wind
load, IS 875-Part 3 given by Bureau
of Indian Standards is used.
2. IS Code gives basic wind speed
averaged over a short interval of
©New Heights Series, 2021

______ d) [1-(Vp/Vz)2].
a) 10 seconds
b) 20 seconds
Answer: d
c) 5 seconds
Clarification: Pressure Coefficient is
d) 3 seconds
the ratio of difference between
pressure acting at point on surface
Answer: d and static pressure of incident wind to
Clarification: Basic wind speed is the design wind pressure.
based on peak wind gust velocity
5. What is return period?
averaged over a short interval of 3s
a) number of years, the reciprocal of
and having return period of 50 years
which gives the probability of extreme
and corresponds to mean above
wind exceeding given wind speed in
ground level in open terrain.
any one year
3. Positive sign of pressure coefficient b) number of years, the reciprocal of
indicates ______________ which gives the probability of extreme
a) pressure acting towards the surface wind less than given wind speed in
b) pressure acting away the surface any one year
c) pressure acting above the surface c) number of years, the reciprocal of
d) pressure acting below the surface which gives the probability of mild
wind exceeding given wind speed in
any one year
Answer: a
d) number of years, the reciprocal of
Clarification: Positive sign of
which gives the probability of mild
pressure coefficient indicates pressure
wind less than given wind speed in
acting towards the surface and
any one year
negative sign of pressure coefficient
indicates pressure acting away the
surface. Answer: a
Clarification: Wind load acting on
4. Which of the following relation is
structure varies from year to year
correct for pressure coefficient?
based on wind speed and maximum
Vp = Actual wind speed at any point
that can be expected to occur at a
on structure at height corresponding
given location only once in so many
to Vz (design wind speed)
years. This period is called return
a) [1+(Vp/Vz)2].
period.
b) [1+(Vz/Vp)2].
c) [1-(Vz/Vp)2].

35
©New Heights Series, 2021
6. Wind Pressure at any height of
structure does not depend on _______
a) velocity and density of air
b) angle of wind attack
c) topography of ground surface
d) material of structure
Answer: d
Clarification: Wind Pressure at any
height of structure depend on
(i)velocity and density of air,
(ii)height above ground level,
(iii)shape and aspect ratio of
building, (iv) topography of
surrounding ground surface, (v)angle
of wind attack, (vi)solidity ratio or
openings in the structure.
7. Which of the following relation is
correct for design wind speed (Vz) and
basic wind speed (Vb) ?
a) Vz ∝ Vb2
b) Vz ∝ 1/Vb2
c) Vz ∝ Vb
d) Vz ∝ 1/Vb
Answer: c
Clarification: Vz = k1k2k3Vb , where
k1=probability factor(risk coefficient),
k2=terrain, height and structure size
factor, k3=topography factor.
8. Calculate design wind speed for a
site in a city with basic wind speed of
50 m/s, risk coefficient =1,
topography factor = 1, terrain is with
closely spaced buildings and height of
36
building (class A) = 15m.
a) 40 m/s
b) 48.5 m/s
c) 50 m/s
d) 52.5 m/s
Answer: b
Clarification: Vb = 50m/s, k1 = 1, k3 =
1,
for terrain with closely spaced
buildings, height of building=15m,
class A : k2=0.97 (from IS 875 Part 3)
Vz = k1k2k3Vb = 1×0.97x1x50 = 48.5
m/s.
9. Which of the following relation
between design pressure, pz and
design wind speed, Vz is correct?
a) pz ∝ Vz2
b) pz ∝ 1/Vz2
c) pz ∝ Vz
d) pz ∝ 1/Vz
Answer: a
Clarification: pz = 0.6Vz2, where pz is
in N/m2 and Vz is in m/s. 0.6 factor
depends on number of factors and
mainly on atmospheric pressure and
air temperature.
10. Calculate the design wind
pressure if the basic wind speed is 44
m/s, risk coefficient is 1, topography
factor is 1, terrain is with closely
spaced buildings and height of
building(class A) = 20m .
a) 1285 N/m2
©New Heights Series, 2021
b) 1580 N/m2
c) 1085 N/m2
d) 1185 N/m2
Answer: d
Clarification: Vb = 44m/s, k1 = 1, k3 =
1,
for terrain with closely spaced
buildings, height of building=20m,
class A: k2=1.01 (from IS 875 Part 3)
Vz = k1k2k3Vb = 1×1.01x1x44 = 44.44
m/s
pz = 0.6Vz2 = 0.6x(44.44)2 = 1184.95
N/m2.
11. What is the partial safety factor
for combination of DL+LL for limit
state of strength, where DL=Dead
load, LL=imposed load?
a) 1.2
b) 1.0
c) 0.8
d) 1.5
Answer: d
Clarification: For limit state of
strength, the load combination is
1.5(DL+LL), for limit state of
serviceability, the load combination is
1.0(DL+LL), where DL=Dead load,
LL=imposed load.
12. Which of the following load
combination is not possible?
a) Dead load + imposed load + wind
load
b) Dead load + imposed load +
37
earthquake load
c) Dead load + wind load +
earthquake load
d) Dead load + imposed load
Answer: c
Clarification: According to IS code, it
is assumed that maximum wind load
and earthquake load will not occur
simultaneously on a structure. The
following combination of loads with
appropriate partial safety factors may
be considered : (i)Dead load +
imposed load, (ii) Dead load +
imposed load + earthquake load or
wind load, (iii) Dead load + wind
load or earthquake load, (iv) Dead
load + erection load.
13. What is the partial safety factor
for dead load in combination of
DL+LL+WL/EL for limit state of
serviceability, where DL=Dead load,
LL=imposed load , WL=wind load,
EL=earthquake load ?
a) 1.0
b) 0.8
c) 1.5
d) 1.2
Answer: b
Clarification: For limit state of
strength, the load combination is
1.2(DL+LL+WL/EL), for limit state of
serviceability, the load combination is
1.0DL+0.8LL+0.8WL/EL, where
©New Heights Series, 2021
DL=Dead load, LL=imposed load,
WL=wind load, EL=earthquake load.
14. What is the partial safety factor
for dead load in combination of DL+
WL/EL for limit state of serviceability,
where DL=Dead load, WL=wind
load, EL=earthquake load ?
a) 1.0
b) 1.5
c) 1.2
d) 0.8
Answer: a
Clarification: For limit state of
serviceability, the load combination is
1.0(DL +WL/EL), for limit state of
strength, the load combination is
1.5(DL +WL/EL), where DL=Dead
load, WL=wind load, EL=earthquake
load.
15. What is the partial safety factor
for imposed load in combination of
DL+LL+AL , where DL=Dead load,
WL=wind load, AL=Accidental load
? converted to electrical energy for
a) 1.0
b) 0.5
c) 0.4
d) 0.35
Answer: d
Clarification: The load combination
is 1.0DL+ 0.35LL+ 1.0AL, where
DL=Dead load, WL=wind load,
38
AL=Accidental load for limit state of
strength.
Wind Energy Multiple Choice
Questions on “Wind Energy
Conversion Systems (WECS) – 1”.
1. What are wind energy conversion
systems designed for?
a) To convert wind energy to
mechanical energy
b) To convert wind energy to potential
energy
c) To convert wind energy to
electrical energy
d) To convert mechanical energy to
wind energy
Answer: a
Clarification: Wind energy
conversion systems (WECS) are
designed to convert wind energy to
mechanical energy. The kinetic
energy of the wind is used to turn the
blades of a wind turbine which in turn
rotates a rotor connected to it. This
mechanical energy is further
various applications.
2. Which of the following is a part of
a general wind energy conversion
system?
a) Server
b) Wind turbine
c) Cloud User
d) Service Provider
Answer: b
Clarification: Wind turbine is a
©New Heights Series, 2021
crucial part of a wind energy
conversion system (WECS). It
converts the kinetic energy of the
incoming air stream into mechanical
energy which is then converted to
electrical energy. Server, cloud user
and service provider are components
of a wireless communication system.
3. What are the two types of gear
boxes used in wind turbine?
a) VAWT and HAWT
b) Differential
c) Parallel shaft and planetary shaft
d) Manual transmission
Answer: c
Clarification: Parallel shaft and
planetary gearboxes are used in wind
turbine. Differential and manual
transmission are used in automobiles.
VAWT and HAWT are the two most
commonly used wind turbines.
4. What are parallel shaft gears?
a) Motor shaft and the speed
controller shaft are on perpendicular
planes
b) Motor shaft and the speed
controller shaft are on skewed planes
c) Motor shaft and the speed
controller shaft are on diagonal
planes
d) Motor shaft and the speed
controller shaft are on parallel planes
Answer: d
Clarification: Parallel shaft gear
motors are a type of gear motor which
39
uses gears to accomplish speed
control. The motor shaft and the
speed controller shaft are on parallel
planes. Hence, the name parallel shaft
gears.
5. What is a planetary shaft gearbox?
a) Input shaft and output shaft are
aligned
b) Motor shaft and the speed
controller shaft are on perpendicular
planes
c) Motor shaft and the speed
controller shaft are on parallel planes
d) Input shaft and output shaft are
parallel
Answer: a
Clarification: When the input and
output shaft of a gearbox are aligned,
it is called planetary gearbox. It is
used to transfer the largest torque
compactly. Motor shaft and speed
controller shaft in parallel shaft.
6. Parallel shaft gearbox is used in
small turbines.
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: Parallel shaft gearbox
is used in small turbines. They have a
simple design and are easy to
maintain. Also, they are made up high
mass material.
7. Planetary shaft gearbox is not used
in large turbines.
©New Heights Series, 2021
a) False
b) True
Answer: a
Clarification: Planetary shaft gearbox
is used in large turbines. When
compared with parallel shaft gearbox,
it has a complex design and is made
up of low mass material.
8. Power generation contains
________
a) mechanical systems
b) kinetic systems
c) electromagnetic and electrical
subsystems
d) nuclear systems
Answer: c
Clarification: Power generation
contains electromagnetic and
electrical subsystems. To ensure
voltage compatibility with grid, it
generally contains an electrical
transformer apart from the electrical
generator and power electronics
converter.
9. What is a fixed speed WECS?
a) WECS operating at differential
speeds
b) WECS operating at non-differential
speeds
c) WECS operating at variable speeds
d) WECS operating at constant speed
Answer: d
Clarification: A fixed speed WECS
operates at a constant speed. The
wind turbine rotor speed is
40
determined by the grid frequency
regardless of the wind speed. A fixed
speed WECS does not operate at
differential/variable speeds.
10. Fixed speed WECS are equipped
________ generators.
a) squirrel-cage induction
b) squirrel induction
c) induction squirrel
d) doubly-fed induction
Answer: a
Clarification: Squirrel-cage induction
generation (SCIG) are used in fixed
WECS. SCIG are preferred because
they are mechanically simple. They
also have high efficiency and low
maintenance cost.
Wind Energy Conversion Systems
(WECS) – 2.
1. How is the speed varied in limited
variable speed WECS?
a) Variable rotor resistance
b) Fixed rotor resistance
c) Fixed capacitance
d) Variable rotor
Answer: a
Clarification: Limited variable speed
WECS is an evolution of fixed-speed
WECS. The variable speed is
achieved with the help of a variable
rotor resistance which is controlled
by power electronics. Thus, the total
resistance is adjustable.
©New Heights Series, 2021
2. Which generator is used in variable
speed WECS?
a) Squirrel-cage induction
b) Doubly-fed induction
c) Induction squirrel
d) Induction generator
Answer: b
Clarification: Double-fed induction
generator is used in a variable speed
WECS. The name doubly-fed comes
from the fact that the stator voltage is
applied from the grid and the rotor
voltage is impressed by the power
converter.
3. Which of the following components
are used as converters in power
electronics converter?
a) BJT
b) Earphone
c) IGBT
d) Wi-Fi driver
Answer: c
Clarification: Two IGBTs are used as
converters, namely the rotor side and
the grid side converter. BJT is not
used as converter. Both, earphone
and Wi-Fi driver are not electrical
components. Earphones are used to
listen to music and Wi-Fi driver is
used to connect to the Wi-Fi.
4. What is the function of rotor side
converter?
a) To control the DC-link voltage
b) To ensure operation at large power
factor
41
c) To control generator in terms of
active and reactive power
d) To ensure operation at low power
factor
Answer: c
Clarification: The function of rotor
side converter is to control the
generator. It controls the generator in
terms of active and reactive power by
ensuring minimum power loss during
power conversion. The rotor side
converter is made up of IGBT.
5. What is the function of grid side
converter?
a) To ensure operation at low power
factor
b) To control generator in terms of
reactive power
c) To control generator in terms of
active power
d) To control the DC-link voltage
Answer: d
Clarification: The function of grid
side converter is to control the DC-
link voltage. It also ensures
operations at a large power factor. An
IGBT is used to make the converter.
6. What is sub-synchronous mode in
doubly-fed induction generator
(DFIG)?
a) Rotor runs below synchronous
speed
b) Rotor runs above synchronous
speed
c) Rotor runs at synchronous speed
©New Heights Series, 2021

d) Slip power is fed into AC power Answer: c

supply Clarification: Doubly-fed induction
generator (DFIG) and permanent
Answer: a
magnet synchronous generator
Clarification: In a doubly-fed
(PMSG) are the two most commonly
induction generator (DFIG), sub-
used generators in WECS. SCIG is
synchronous mode is a mode where
typically used in a fixed speed WECS
the rotor runs below the synchronous
which has a low efficiency. VAWT and
speed. This is conducive towards
HAWT are types of wind turbines.
using wind power at lower wind
speed. 9. Which of the following is a
flowchart depicting WECS modelling?
7. What is super-synchronous mode in
a) Wind turbine aerodynamic model
doubly-fed induction generator
→ gear train model → power grid →
(DFIG)?
generator (PMSG/DFIG)
a) Rotor runs below synchronous
b) Wind turbine aerodynamic model
speed
→ generator (PMSG/DFIG) → gear
b) Rotor runs above synchronous
train model → power grid
speed
c) Wind turbine aerodynamic model
c) Rotor runs at synchronous speed
→ generator (PMSG/DFIG) →
d) Rotor takes power from AC mains
power grid → gear train model
Answer: b d) Wind turbine aerodynamic model
Clarification: In a doubly-fed → gear train model → generator
induction generator (DFIG), super- (PMSG/DFIG) → power grid
synchronous mode is a mode where
Answer: d
the rotor runs above the synchronous
Clarification: Wind turbine is
speed. This is conducive towards
connected to the electrical generator
feeding the slip power into AC mains
through a coupling device gear train.
supply with the help of an inverter-
The output of the generator is
converter combination.
connected to the power grid via a
8. Which of the following generators power controller to minimize power
are mostly used in WECS? loss and ensure system protection.
a) PMSG and SCIG
10. _______ speed WECS is the most
b) DFIG and SCIG
flexible in terms of the generator
c) DFIG and PMSG
used.
d) VAWT and HAWT
a) Full variable

42
©New Heights Series, 2021
b) Limited variable
c) Half variable
d) Fixed
Answer: a
Clarification: Full variable speed
WECS is the most flexible in terms of
the generator used. Various
generators like squirrel-cage
induction generator (SCIG), wound-
rotor synchronous generator (WRSG)
or permanent-magnet synchronous
generator (PMSG) can be used.
Wind Turbine Types and their
Construction – 1.
1. Wind turbines convert wind energy
to ________
a) mechanical energy
b) electrical energy
c) heat energy
d) solar energy
Answer: a
Clarification: Wind turbines convert
wind energy to mechanical energy.
This mechanical energy is then
converted to electrical energy using
an electric generator. They neither
convert wind energy to heat energy
nor to solar energy.
2. Which of the following components
of a wind turbine system is arranged
in the order in which energy is being
converted?
a) Blades – rotor – electric generator
43
– shaft
b) Blades – rotor – shaft – electric
generator
c) Shaft – blades – rotor – electric
generator
d) Electric generator – blades – rotor
— shaft
Answer: b
Clarification: A wind turbine system
first converts wind energy to
mechanical energy and then to
electrical energy using an electric
generator. The correct order is blades
– rotor – shaft – electric generator.
3. Which of the following are
commonly used commercial wind
turbines?
a) Vertical and DFIG
b) Horizontal and SCIG
c) Horizontal and vertical
d) DFIG and SCIG
Answer: c
Clarification: Horizontal axis wind
turbines (HAWT) or horizontal and
vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) or
vertical are commonly used
commercial wind turbines. DFIG,
SCIG and PMSG are commercially
used power generators for wind
energy.
4. What are horizontal wind turbines?
a) Wind turbines are rotate about an
axis perpendicular to the plane of
ground
b) Wind turbines are rotate about an
©New Heights Series, 2021
axis diagonal to the plane of ground
c) Wind turbines are rotate about an
axis 30 degrees to the plane of ground
d) Wind turbines are rotate about an
axis parallel to the plane of wind
streamlines
Answer: d
Clarification: Horizontal wind
turbines are made up of blades that
rotate about an axis parallel to the
plane of wind streamlines. Hence,
they are also called as Horizontal
Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT). They
are the most popularly used wind
turbines for commercial wind energy
harvesting applications.
5. Which of the following is an
advantage of a horizontal axis wind
turbine?
a) Blades are to the side of turbine’s
center of gravity
b) Blades are parallel to the vertical
axis passing through the turbine’s
center of gravity
c) Blades are parallel to the
horizontal axis passing through the
turbine’s center of gravity
d) Blades are positioned
perpendicular to the plane of the
ground
Answer: a
Clarification: In a horizontal axis
wind turbine (HAWT), the blades are
positioned to the side of the turbine’s
center of gravity. This provides
44
stability to the entire setup. Blades
rotate to an axis parallel to the plane
of ground.
6. What is an upwind turbine?
a) Rotor of the turbine is behind the
unit
b) Rotor of the turbine is in front of
the unit
c) Rotor is positioned at the bottom of
the tower
d) Rotor is positioned at the center of
the tower
Answer: b
Clarification: An upwind turbine is a
type of wind turbine where the rotor is
positioned in front of the unit. The
position is similar to that of
propellers used in airplanes. Most of
the wind turbines used commercially
are upwind turbines.
7. What is the main advantage of an
upwind turbine?
a) Increased tower shadow effect
b) Reduced tower shadow effect
c) No tower shadow effect
d) Manufacturing
Answer: b
Clarification: Tower shadow effect
occurs when the tower acts as an
obstruction between the blades and
the wind. In an upwind turbine, both
rotor and blades are attached in front
of tower. Thus, the tower shadow
effect reduces considerably.
©New Heights Series, 2021
8. What is the main disadvantage of
an upwind turbine?
a) Increased tower shadow effect
b) Reduced tower shadow effect
c) A rotor that needs to be placed at
some distance from the tower
d) An inflexible rotor that needs to be
placed close to the tower
Answer: c
Clarification: The main disadvantage
of any upwind turbine is the
requirement of placing the rotor at
some distance from the tower. This
setup prevents problems with a blade
strike. They also require a yaw
mechanism to ensure that the rotor
faces the wind continuously.
9. What is a downwind turbine?
a) Rotor is positioned at the three-
quarters of the height of the tower
b) Rotor of the turbine is in front of
the unit
c) Rotor is positioned at the bottom of
the tower
d) Rotor of the turbine is behind the
unit
Answer: d
Clarification: A downwind turbine is
a type of wind turbine where the rotor
is positioned behind the tower. The
nacelle used is typically designed to
seek the wind.
10. What is the main advantage of any
downwind turbine?
a) Inflexible rotor blades
45
b) Flexible rotor blades
c) Position of the rotor
d) Reduced tower shadow effect
Answer: b
Clarification: The main advantage of
a downward turbine is that the rotor
blades can be made flexible. This
reduces the cost of manufacturing and
relieves stress on the tower at high
wind speeds.
11. What is the main disadvantage of
a downward wind turbine?
a) Increased tower shadow effect
b) Flexible rotor blades
c) Inflexible rotor blades
d) Bending of blades at high wind
speeds
Answer: b
Clarification: Since the rotor of a
downward wind turbine is placed
behind the tower, it experiences an
increased tower shadow effect.
Flexible rotor blades enable bending
at high wind speeds. This is its main
advantage.
12. What is a vertical wind turbine?
a) Wind turbines are rotate about an
axis perpendicular to the plane of
wind streamlines
b) Wind turbines are rotate about an
axis diagonal to the plane of ground
c) Wind turbines are rotate about an
©New Heights Series, 2021
axis 30 degrees to the plane of ground
d) Wind turbines are rotate about an
axis parallel to the plane of ground
Answer: a
Clarification: Vertical wind turbines
are made up of blades that rotate
about an axis perpendicular to the
plane of wind streamlines. Hence,
they are also called as Vertical Axis
Wind Turbines (HAWT). Most of its
main components is near the ground
unlike a HAWT.
13. What are the types of VAWT?
a) Lift, horizontal
b) Horizontal, vertical
c) Drag, lift
d) Urban wind turbines
Answer: c
Clarification: There are two types of
VAWT – drag and lift. Horizontal and
vertical wind turbines are classified
based on their axis of rotation. Urban
wind turbines are specially designed
turbines to harvest wind energy in
cities and other urban areas.
14. What is the main advantage of a
vertical axis wind turbine?
a) Directional and sensitive to wind
turbulence
b) Not directional and sensitive to
wind turbulence
c) Directional and insensitive to wind
46
turbulence
d) Not directional and insensitive to
wind turbulence
Answer: d
Clarification: VAWTs are made up of
blades that rotate about an axis
perpendicular to the plane of
streamlines. Hence, their main
advantage is that they are insensitive
to wind turbulences and are not
directional.
15. What is the main disadvantage of
a vertical axis wind turbine?
a) Not directional and insensitive to
wind turbulence
b) More drag than HAWTs
c) Less drag than HAWTs
d) High starting torque
Answer: b
Clarification: Vertical wind axis
turbines cause more drag than
HAWTs as their blades are constantly
spinning back into the wind. Their
main advantage is that they are not
directional and insensitive to wind
turbulence. Also, they have a low
starting torque and may require an
external source to start turning.
“Wind Turbine Types and their
Construction – 2”.
1. What is the main disadvantage of a
horizontal axis wind turbine?
a) Easy operation at near ground
©New Heights Series, 2021
winds
b) Does not self-start
c) Difficult operation at near ground
winds
d) High starting torque
Answer: c
Clarification: The main disadvantage
of any horizontal wind axis turbine is
that it cannot be operated at near
ground winds. This is due to the
height of the tower and size of the
blades. However, most of them are
self-starting and do not have a high
starting torque.
2. Which of the following materials
are used to make a rotor blade of a
wind turbine?
a) Glass fibre reinforced polyester
b) Salt
c) Sugar
d) Plastic
Answer: a
Clarification: Rotor blades are made
using glass fibre reinforced polyester
(GRP). It is a material made
impregnating a matrix of fibre glass
mats with a polyester. This polyester
is hardened after impregnation.
3. Which of the following materials
can be used to make a rotor blade of a
wind turbine apart from glass fibre
reinforced polyester (GRP)?
a) Silicon, germanium
b) Epoxy, carbon fibre
47
c) Plastic
d) Salt
Answer: b
Clarification: Apart from GRP, epoxy
and carbon fibre can be used to make
rotor blades. Though carbon fibre is
lighter and has higher material
strength, it is expensive. Silicon and
germanium are generally used in
semiconductor industry.
4. Fatigue testing of rotor blades
subject the blades to an oscillation in
_______ direction.
a) horizontal
b) vertical
c) flapwise
d) diagonal
Answer: c
Clarification: During fatigue testing
of rotor blades, they are oscillated in
the flapwise direction for millions of
cycles. A typical flapwise test takes
about three hours. Depending on the
results of a fatigue test, we comment
on whether a rotor blade can
withstand high wind speeds or not.
5. Which of the following are the
major parts of a wind turbine system?
a) Tower, rotor, water storage tank,
air compressor
b) Tower, rotor and blades, air
compressor, vacuum pump, electricity
generator
c) Electricity generator, nacelle, rotor
and blades, power converter, building
©New Heights Series, 2021
d) Tower, nacelle, rotor and blades,
power converter, electricity generator
Answer: d
Clarification: Tower, nacelle, rotor
and blades, power converter,
electricity generator and wind shaft
are the major parts of a wind turbine
system. Water storage tank, air
compressor and vacuum pump are not
used in a wind turbine system.
6. What is the main function of tower
in a wind turbine system?
a) Acts a support to all other
components used in wind turbine
system
b) Acts as an antenna for wireless
radio communications
c) Acts as an electric pole for power
transportation
d) Destabilizes the wind turbine
system
Answer: a
Clarification: The main function of
tower in a wind turbine system is to
support the other components. It also
stabilizes both, the rotor and blades
which eventually convert wind energy
to electrical energy via mechanical
energy.
7. Which of the following towers is
used for small wind turbines?
a) Hybrid tower
b) Guyed pole tower
c) Electric pole
d) Wooden pole
48
Answer: b
Clarification: The guyed pole tower is
used for small wind turbines. It is a
single vertical pole supported by guy
cables from different sides. An
electric pole is specifically used for
electricity transportation. Wooden
pole is a general purpose pole and
can be used for a variety of
applications.
8. What is a hybrid type tower?
a) Guyed tower
b) Guyed tower and wooden tower
c) Thin and tall lattice type guyed
tower
d) Guyed tower and electric pole
Answer: c
Clarification: Unlike the guyed tower
which uses a single pole, the hybrid
tower uses a thin and tall lattice type
tower that is supported by guy cables.
It is a hybrid of both, lattice type and
guyed type towers.
9. Nacelle is a kiosk that houses
______
a) a MOSFET
b) a diode
c) a wifi router
d) a yaw drive
Answer: d
Clarification: Nacelle is a big box
that houses various components like
power converter, yaw drive, gearbox,
etc. MOSFETs and diodes are
discrete electrical components used to
©New Heights Series, 2021
realize various electrical and
electronic circuits. Nacelle does not
house a Wi-Fi router.
10. What is the main function of
gearbox in a wind turbine system?
a) Multiples rotation speed to
generate electricity
b) Divides rotation speed to generate
electricity
c) Multiples rotation speed to
consume wind energy
d) Divides rotation speed to consume
wind energy
Answer: a
Clarification: The blades rotate
slowly and this speed is not sufficient
to generate electricity. So, the main
function of a gearbox in a wind
turbine system is to multiply the
rotation speed to a sufficiently high
level so as to generate electricity.
11. What is a pitch drive motor?
a) A motor that senses wind direction
b) A motor to control the angle of
blades
c) A motor to ensure nacelle faces in
the direction of the wind
d) A motor to rotate the blades
Answer: b
Clarification: A pitch drive motor is a
motor used to control the angle of
blades. Pitching is the process of
rotating the angle of blades to cut
maximum wind for harvesting energy.
49
12. What is a yaw drive?
a) A device used to support and
stabilize other components
b) A device used to house various
energy conversion components
c) A motor to ensure that nacelle
faces the wind
d) A device used to track wind
direction
Answer: c
Clarification: A yaw drive is a motor
to ensure that the nacelle faces in the
direction of the wind. This advocates
maximum energy extraction from the
incoming wind. It is controlled by a
PLC that uses wind vane to track the
net direction of wind.
13. What is the cost of a wind turbine
per megawatt?
a) $10000
b) $1000
c) $100
d) $1 million
Answer: d
Clarification: As of 2019, a wind
turbine costs about $1 million per
megawatt. Manufacturing the rotor
blades consume most of the budget.
Depending on the size and material
used, the cost may vary. For example,
carbon fibre is expensive when
compared to glass fibre.
14. Wind turbines require regular
maintenance.
©New Heights Series, 2021
a) False
b) True
Answer: b
Clarification: Wind turbines require
regular maintenance to ensure
reliability and maintain initial
efficiency. They are generally
serviced after 3-4 months of usage. In
best case, they are available to
generate energy 98% of the time.
15. Offshore wind turbines are not
erected in water bodies.
a) False
b) True
Answer: a
Clarification: Offshore wind turbines
are erected in water bodies like
oceans or continental shelves. They
are used to harvest energy from winds
flowing above the water bodies. They
generate about 40% more electricity
as compared to other wind turbines
on land.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
1. Is Wind Power Safe?
Of 90,000 wind turbines in the world,
no member of the public has been
killed or seriously injured by wind,
ever. This compares with thousands of
injuries coming from Coal, Gas,
Nuclear, and other Electricity
50
production. Wind power is the safest
alternative energy on earth.
2. What Causes Wind To Produce
Electricity?
The turbine, a “fan” spins a
generator, thus converting energy in
thewind into electricity. Most believe
wind is caused by solar impacts on
the earth. So wind energy is a
dynamic form of solar energy.
Electrical Engineering Interview
Questions
3. How Much Electricity Can A
Turbine Produce?
It depends upon the location, size and
design of the turbine, and the price of
electricity and wind speeds in your
location. A small unit for your home
can produce 1 kW or about $100 per
month in power, if your winds are
good and electric rates are high. A
larger home unit can produce 5 kW or
$300 to $500 per month in electricity.
A 20 kW unit can produce from
$1,000 to $2,800 per month with good
winds and high electric rates. An 80
kW unit can produce $2,500 to $7,000
per month. A 250 kW unit can
produce from $11,000 per month to
$22,000 per month in good
conditions. A 1000 kW(megawatt) can
produce up to $100,000 per month.
©New Heights Series, 2021
4. What Is A Typical Rate Of Return
On My Investment In A Turbine?
We have seen a range of 17% IRR to
27% IRR. This will vary with location,
winds, design, cost of electricity and
quality.
Power Electronics Tutorial
5. What Are The Variables Of Wind
Production?
Wind Speed
Cost of electricity
Capacity of the turbine
Power Electronics Interview
Questions
6. Are Wind Turbines Noisy?
Some have “lattice” towers that
produce more wind speed noise. Some
have poor blade design that cause
them to whine. NBC carried a
television story about the high noise
one one turbine that is made in
Arizona, that produces about $60 to
$140 per month. We recommend that
you consider the source of the
turbines. The turbines that www.wind-
inc.us distribute make less noise than
any turbines. Many people who have
them have reported that they are
silent, that they have never heard
them. Sound tests show our turbines
to produce so little noise that the
51
microphone has difficulty picking up a
reading. Most of the turbines made in
Holland are of good design, are
almost silent. The average wind
turbine produces less than 1/2 the
noise of a typical swimming pool
pump motor. Even our 250 kWh units
(which can make $12,000 to
$20,000+ in electricity per month)
are very quiet. We interviewed a
school that has 4 turbines, 50 kWh
power each, on lattice towers. They
said that neighbors had complained of
the noise,and we personally went to
see this unit. It is a loud unit, this 50
kW unit makes much more noise and
is much louder than our 80 kW unit
7. Do Wind Turbines Kill Birds?
Remember, hunters kill birds. Cars,
trucks and high line wires kill birds.
Office buildings kill birds. There are
reports that birds fly into light poles,
signs, mirrors, windows and high line
wires. There are reports that birds fly
into turbines, although this is rare.
The large turbines are large and
moving, and birds see this and tend to
fly around or over them. Official
studies indicate that a typical large
mega-Watt wind turbine will
experience 1.5 birds flying into it per
year. About half the rate of a typical
car. A typical office building kills 20
times this number. A typical truck kills
5 times this number. A typical house
©New Heights Series, 2021
cat has been shown to kill 8 birds, 15
mice/rats and 2 squirrels per year.
TurboGears Tutorial
Electronic Communications Interview
Questions
8. Do Wind Turbines Cause
Headaches?
The giant turbines create a low
frequency pressure wave, that can be
felt by some people if they are
standing within 20 feet of the turbine,
or directly under the turbine. There is
no evidence that this is harmful. But,
most large turbines are built 1000 feet
away from any buildings. Small wind
turbines cause no physical problems
and often cannot be heard or felt. The
turbines of www.wind-inc.ushave no
impact on health, except they save you
the stress of paying electric bills. You
can drop by our offices. We have
turbines, within 50 feet of our staff
offices. We cannot hear the turbines,
nor have we experienced any health
problems. Most people who come by
enjoy standing under them and
watching.
9. How Is A Turbine Rated?
The rated speed indicates how the
unit is engineered, so that it will show
how much electricity is produced at
certain RPMs. For example a “5 KW
unit” is engineered to produce 5000
52
watts of electricity per hour for 24
hours a day, at it’s rated wind speed.
Thermal Power Plant Interview
Questions
10. How Deep Does A Wind Turbine
Have To Be “planted”?
This depends upon the location,
winds, soils, and size of the unit. For
example, a 5 kW unit with a 37 foot
pole, should have another 10feet in
concrete underground. If it is planted
in sand or marshy lands, it will need a
deeper hole. If in solid rock, it can
have a smaller hole. Most installers
will determine this in the installation
process. A 10 kWh turbine with a
taller pole would require a deeper
hole. Some are not put in poles, but
are put on roofs or braced on the side
of buildings.
11. Should I Have A “wind Study”
Or “paid Wind Consultation”?
You can, if you are not familiar with
the winds in your area, but most
people can determine what their wind
speeds average, with public data or a
wind speed gauge. (We at Wind Inc.,
can sell you a wind speed gauge for
$85.) Most turbine distributors can
give you this information. A
consultant would be required if you
are investing a lot of money, but much
of the data is publicly available. Some
companies make more money on
©New Heights Series, 2021
“studies” than in selling the turbines,
so be careful. Companies such as
www.wind-inc.us will actually go to
your location and give you wind
speeds as a part of the service when
you purchase. This is the rule of
thumb. If your investment is less than
$100,000 then we don’t suggest a
paid independent study.
Steam Turbine Interview Questions
12. Will A Wind Turbine Increase
Insurance Costs To My Property?
So far insurance companies report
few losses on wind turbines, few or no
claims and the insurance industry has
only small fees for wind turbines. In
one case a turbine actually decreased
the insurance cost of the real estate.
Just “itemize” it on your policy. It
would be similar to a satellite dish,
TV or radio tower.
Electrical Engineering Interview
Questions
13. Are Wind Turbines Hard To
Install?
No. Small ones can be installed in 1.5
days. Larger ones often take more
time for preparation and will need a
crane and crew for installation.
14. Are There Any Success Stories
That Prove That Wind Is Effective
And Efficient?
53
Yes. California produces electricity
for 650,000 homes in Los
Angeles,with wind farms near Palm
Springs. Texas produces electricity
for 890,000 homes, primarily in Fort
Worth and Dallas, and North Texas.
The largest wind farm in the USA is in
West Texas. When companies like GE,
Siemens, and nations like the Chinese,
Germans, French, Spain and Holland
invest heavily in wind, your must
realized the massive amount of
research that has gone into this. Of
course, investors like Warren Buffet
would not invest in Wind Turbines, if
they were not economically feasible.
Wind is the fastest growing sector of
the economy in the world.
Other smaller success stories for
individual use are schools like
Shallowater, Texas. The Shallowater
ISD has 5 turbines that save the
school $148,000 per year. This money
is used to hire special reading
teachers and buy books for students.
Mayor Bloomberg of New York City
has urged every building and bridge
in NYC to consider wind turbines for
additional power. The Logan Airport
at Boston has a plan to put in several
wind turbines generating power on
it’s office building at the airport.
Cities such as Sweetwater,Texas, or
Tucumcari, New Mexico have
strongly supported wind. Sidney and
Perth Australia, produce all the
©New Heights Series, 2021
electricity for their drinking water
desalination plants with wind
turbines. www.wind-inc.us is selling
turbines throughout the USA with
great customer response.
A grocery store owner in Canada
purchased one, and said that it
increased his store volume of sales so
much that it paid for the wind turbine
in 2 months. In general the public
likes wind power, because it is clean,
and comes from nature.
15. Why Should I Buy A Wind
Turbine?
Because you believe in it.
You believe in clean energy.
You believe in our nation’s need for
more electricity.
You want to be more independent of
the “grid”, in the event it fails
Because you want to do something for
our environment for the sake of your
kids and grand kids.
Because you need the tax advantages.
Because you don’t want to pay an
electric bill again.
Because it is a better investment,
more stable, and more reliable than
the stock market, and other types of
investments.
Because electric rates continue to rise
and because the world may see
54
shortages of power as global
population increases (Check the
speeches on the Internet by Duke
Power and Light or AEP Power’s
Chairman).
Because you want to increase the
value of your property.
Because you want to advertise and
create good public relations in your
community. What could be better than
a “moving” sign, on a high pole?
Because it is good for you, your
community, our nation, and our
world.
TurboGears Interview Questions
16. Will A Wind Turbine Increase
The Value Of My Property?
Yes. Professional appraisers have
confirmed that a wind turbine
increases the value of the property to
a greater amount than the cost of the
turbine. www.wind-inc.us can help
you get an experienced and
professional appraiser. The appraisal
can be used at your bank or with a
lender. Consider that any investor
will pay more for a building that has
no electric bill or a reduced electric
bill, and also enjoys tax benefits and
incentives. Appraisers also report that
a wind turbine will appreciate in
value as electric rates increase,
©New Heights Series, 2021
because the production and benefit is
more.
17. Why Don’t More People Put
Them In?
They are. It is the fastest growing
industry in the world, creating more
jobs than any other industry with an
annual growth rate of 28%
worldwide. The only think holding the
industry back at this point is a lack of
progressive and informed bankers to
lend on them. A man in Dubai said:
“If I had 1000 acres and it had a
billion dollars of oil under it, you
would say ‘Why aren’t you drilling
and exploiting this?’. In the USA you
have billions of dollars in wind
power, and we say the same. Why
aren’t you mining this wealth in
wind? It would seem that your
banking industry is not supporting
this economic growth”. Indeed the
Community Reinvestment Act
indicates that banks should do things
that help the community. Sooner or
later, regulators will realize that wind
turbines and solar power are an
important part of a communities
economic life.
Electrical Power System Interview
Questions
18. Should I Do A Wind Farm?
Wind farms require a year lead time,
for studies, engineering and legal
55
issues. Are you near a transmission
line? Is there capacity for your new
production? The investment is
substantial with $1 mill to $3mill per
turbine. We suggest that you have a
minimum of 10 to 15 turbines and
preferably more for a wind farm. If
you decide to do a wind farm, we can
help you. We can get the turbines and
help you with engineers and
coordination. But it is big endeavor,
requiring a strong investment group,
and we will require time to plan,
bring in the appropriate specialists
and coordinate the project for you.
Power Electronics Interview
Questions
19. Should I Have An Individual
Turbine For My Business And My
Home?
Yes, if you have a good location with
appropriate wind speeds. If you fail to
utilize renewable energy and current
technology, it is a loss for you of
earnings, savings, tax advantages,
and energy independence. Plus we
need clean energy production in the
USA.
20. What Are Appropriate Wind
Speeds?
Most good turbines will spin at 5 to 6
miles per hour. But, we at www.wind-
inc.us recommend wind speeds of 12
to 14 miles per hour or higher for
©New Heights Series, 2021
electric production. Most of west
Texas fulfills this. Dallas averages 7
to 13.9 mph. Arlington 7.5 to14.1
mph. Fort Worth 8 to 14.3 mph.
Amarillo, Lubbock and further west
and north, the wind speeds increase to
averages of 18 to 21mph or even
higher. If you put these turbines on a
higher pole you will pick up even
more wind speed. Most commercial
buildings can save 80% of their
electric bill by use of wind power. Put
in solar water heating, and initiate
our 14 point energy audit
conservation steps and you have a
possibility of becoming a “net zero”
property, with no electric bill.
Solar Thermal Interview Questions
21. What Kind Of Wind Turbines
Are Good?
The exotic “egg beaters” and strange
designs of 3 to 9 turbines on a tall
rod, look interesting, but aren’t very
efficient. They are hard to assemble,
and often create noise and vibration.
The barrel designs are low and heavy,
and require high wind speeds for
good production. But nothing matches
the efficiency of a “2 or 3 blade
propeller”design, for cost, effective
production, and quiet operation. At
www.wind-inc.us we believe the
technology from Holland is excellent
because that nation has been doing
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windmills and turbines longer than
most. We saw a windmill there that
was built in 1740, used to pump the
ocean water out, so they could
convert the ocean floor to farmlands.
We think good traditional designs are
of the best value for your investment,
and of top electric production.
22. Will Electric Companies Pay Me
For My Power?
By law, 46 states in the USA require
utilities to pay you for excess
production. This is also the rule in
Europe .But, if you are in a state like
Texas, many find it more profitable to
just wire in the turbine “behind the
meter” and then you run your meter
backward, and operate on a “credit”.
In this way you save electric bills at
retail rates. You need to talk to your
political representatives and see that
they represent your interests. But in
truth, we recommend that you buy the
turbine that is appropriate to produce
the power you need for your building
or facility, and don’t worry about
selling power back, if you are buying
an individual turbine.
If you want to invest $15,000,000 or
more, then setting up a wind farm and
selling power into the grid can make
you good profit. But, an individual
user is advised to be just that, an
individual user. Let the turbine pay or
reduce your electric bill, add solar
©New Heights Series, 2021
water heating to further reduce your
electric bill. We doubt that you want
to go through the paperwork and
regulations to sell power back, if you
are just buying power for your home
or business. Some power companies
require that you sign an agreement
just to have a wind turbine on your
property that is connected to the grid.
Be sure and contact them and fill out
their form.
23. Can I Put One In A City Limits?
Yes. They are in cities all over the
world, in Europe, Latin America,
Canada, and coming in the USA.
Most cities like Fort Worth only want
the unit to be installed so that it is
safe and will not fall on a building. An
engineer’s letter is required to show
that it is safe. We have been told that
since there is a Federal Mandate that
cities and states encourage renewable
energy, towns or cities that openly
oppose wind or other renewable
energy, may be in risk of losing
Federal funds for other needs.
Electric Power Generation Interview
Questions
24. Will It Increase My Insurance?
Depends upon your insurance. Most
just add a turbine as “additional
equipment” or “fixtures” and it
normally doesn’t change your
insurance rate, because there have
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been few losses or disasters relating
to wind turbines. Never does a wind
turbine or wind farm pose the risk of
pollution and long term damage, such
as the Gulf Oil Spill of 2010.
Electronic Communications Interview
Questions
25. Will A Wind Turbine Pay For
Itself?
A wind turbine, or solar water
heaters, will save enough on electric
bills to pay for themselves. In good
environments they can pay for
themselves in just a few years. With
tax incentives and grants, they pay
back even sooner.
Yes, usually in 5 to 7 years, depending
upon your winds. In some cases if you
have a lot of engineering or
installation issues, it may require
longer to pay back. We ask this
question. How long is the “payback”
on your current utility bill, if you keep
doing what you have been? Forever.
But if you are counting pennies and
doing this strictly for financial
reasons, then gamble on the stock
market, go to Las Vegas or buy a
Hummer. You invest in Wind because
you want to invest in the future.
Future for your kids, your family, the
environment. Wind is a solid long
term investment. But if you are doing
solely for short term financial
©New Heights Series, 2021
reasons, then you have missed the
point and this is not for you. Do it
because it is a good thing to do with
positive long term results. Become a
part of a solution for our nation. The
Chairman of AEP one of our largest
power companies said: “We must all
realize that in just a few years the
USA will not be able to produce
enough electricity for our needs.
Prices will go up much. We need
wind, and all kinds of alternative
energy. Every person must find a way
to do something.”
26. Does Wind Turbine Production
Qualify Me For Leeds?
Yes, it is a big help with LEEDS
scores.
Thermal Engineer Interview
Questions
27. Does Wind Turbine Production
Qualify Me For Tax Advantages?
Yes, several.
Thermal Power Plant Interview
Questions
28. Does Wind Turbine Production
Qualify For Carbon Tax Credits?
Yes
29. Can I Deduct The Price Of The
Turbine Off Of My Taxes?
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Yes, if you are a taxable business.
General Electric Interview Questions
30. Over A 20 Year Period, What Is
The Total Economic Benefit To Me,
If I Purchase A 5 Kw Unit And Put
On My Office?
Approximately $225,000.00
(depending upon the winds, and the
cost of energy)
31. Over A 20 Year Period, What Is
The Total Economic Benefit To Me
,if I Purchase A 250 Kw Unit And
Use In My Building?
Approximately $14,000,000.00, not
including tax benefits. (depending
upon winds and energy costs)
32. Will A Wind Turbine Hurt My
Vegetation, Animals, Crops Or
Environment?
No impact on animals, crops, or
environment will occur.
33. What Happens In 20 Years When
The Turbine Needs Repair?
In 20 years the unit will be “rebuilt”
for a nominal fee, and then itis good
for 20 more years at even more
efficient cost figures.
Steam Turbine Interview Questions
34. Can I Get A Turbine That Also
Has A Generator And/or Batteries?
©New Heights Series, 2021
Yes, there are turbines that have back
up diesel generators in days when the
wind goes out, or when the grid goes
down. Remote locations can even add
a battery system, but in most of the
USA simply hooking behind the meter
and using the “grid” as the storage
center is most efficient.
35. Can A Turbine Be Placed On Or
Aside A Building?
Yes, this is done all over the world.
36. Can I Purchase A Wind Turbine,
Install It, And Charge A City Or
School For The Power, Or Lease It
To A Third Party?
Yes
TurboGears Interview Questions
37. How Long Does It Take To Get A
Wind Turbine Purchased, And
Delivered?
You can purchase immediately at:
www.wind-inc.us Delivery depends
upon your location and the model of
turbine you desire. If the have units in
the Fort Worth warehouse, we can
deliver immediately. If not, it can take
from 4 to 9 weeks to get a 1, 5, 3, 10,
or 20 kWh turbine, and 6 to 11
months to get an 80 kWh, 250 kWh, or
900 kWh turbine.
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38. Can I Combine A Wind Turbine
And Solar Panels And A Solar Water
Heater?
Yes, we at www.wind-inc.us can
provide the turbine, panels and solar
water heating that will all go back to
the grid, lower your utility bills, and
all qualify for government 30%
rebates and other incentives.
39. Can A Turbine Make Real Estate
Or A Building More Marketable?
Yes. Developers tell us that problem
properties that would not sell, become
easier to sell when wind turbines are
installed to show that there is
additional income and “value added”
aspects of the property as a green
property are introduced. When wind
is not sufficient, solar water heating,
and solar PV can be used. Not only
cancommercial buildings with wind
turbines and solar unitsget a higher
price, but they attract affluent,
interested investors.
40. Can A Wind Turbine Be
Removed From A Property?
Yes, one can be removed and moved
to another location.
Electrical Power System Interview
Questions
41. Is A Turbine Considered
Personal Property, Equipment Or
Real Estate?
©New Heights Series, 2021
Different state laws vary. Most states
say that equipment and fixtures are
considered personalwhen “not
attached to the ground”. A wind
turbine, when “attached to the
ground” can be defined as part of the
real estate by most laws.
42. Can A Turbine Survive High
Winds Or A Hurricane?
Yes, our turbines are rated for 120 to
150 mile per hour winds. But we
recommend that hand brakes be used
when it is known that extremely high
winds are approaching.
Solar Thermal Interview Questions
43. Can I Purchase A Wind Turbine
With My Credit Card?
A turbine is a substantial investment
and credit card companies charge
high rates. We recommend that you
purchase your turbine with
cash,savings, a bank loan, or
investment loan. You can also lease
the turbines on a 6 year payout.
44. Who Buys Wind Turbines?
Cool people:
Actually we thought that the market
would be dominated by affluent
,highly educated, people making
$200,000 or more per year. But to our
surprise, our clients have included the
rich, affluent, and educated, from the
big cities, as well as workers, farmers,
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ranchers, dairymen, plumbers,
electricians and people whohave been
thinking about energy savings for
years.
We have even had a wife one to
surprise her husband with a wind
turbine gift for Christmas. Many
couples have come in and said:
“Wehave been thinking about wind
energy for years”. We have had
hundreds of people worth millions,
and it seems like millions of people
worth “hundreds” also interested.
They all share one thing. They are
people who care, who believe and
who want to be a part of the solution.
They are Democrats and Republicans,
rich and poor, city and country. They
are liberals, conservatives, red neckss
and PhD’s. In short, the people who
buy turbines, are cool people. Join us.
Be cool!:)
45. What Are Some Of The Main
Points Of Installation, What Does It
Cost?
Dig a hole (I’d recommend 20 feet
deep and 52″ in diameter for a 20kW,
15 feet and 48″ for a 10 kW, 10 feet, x
36″for a 5 kW). The depth of the hole
will depend upon your location and
soils. Hard rock obviously needs a
smaller hole than sandy or loose soils.
Estimated cost range: $500 to $1200
Place the anchor bolts, rebarand pour
concrete $300 to $1000
©New Heights Series, 2021
Unload the turbine, bolt the pole
together, assemble ladder, platform,
blades, wiring, tail assembly: $500 to
$1900.
Run the wiring through the center of
the pole, dig a trench, put wire in
conduit, run to building,: $200 to
$800 (including cost of copper wire)
Rent a crain (usually $225.0 per hour,
$900 to $4600) and they will lift the
pole up so it can be bolted onto the
anchors. Use the crain to lift the
turbine up, screw on the blades
Hook the electric lines to your
inverter (grid tie) and attach
controller, inverter and dump load to
system, turbine and breaker box.
($300 to $4200).
Some utilities require a contract, the
owner will need to fill this out and
deal with them, or ask the electrician
to do so.
Turn it on.
46. How Does A 3 Phase Ac Turbine
Work With The Inverter?
Yes, we can get a 3 phase, which is
great for small industry, or even
irrigation wells. But you can also use
the 3 Phase for your home o roffice.
The wind turbine is 3 Phase AC out.
That’s why the controller is 3 Phase
AC in. The controller is single phase
DC out with a max capacity of 20KW
generated at hard wind by the wind
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turbine.This DC out of the controller
is connected parallel to the entrances
of the 3 pcs 7 KW Windy Boys. 3 Pcs
Windy boys of 7 KW makes total
21KW. The Windy boys has a 240 V
AC out that must be connected to the
grid divided over the 3 Phases of the
grid. Your grid is 110V/220V 60Hz.
So the voltage over 2 phase is 220V
and over one phase with the ground
110V. We use only the 3 Phase grid
not the ground. When we use 240V
than the current is lower. That
produces less heat and the cables may
be thinner.
47. How Do We Sell Electricity And
Is It Practical?
If you are strictly selling electricity
(not for your own use) you should call
the local electric utility and negotiate
a rate. If you are using this for power
for a building, ranch or other
buildings ,then you can go behind the
meter and get your “credit” as the
meter runs backward. If you are in a
city limits you may need a building
permit. Most towns are enthused
about wind power and easy to deal
with. The installation cost will vary
with who you hire and how extensive
the installation project is.
48. Who Does The Installation?
Some people do it themselves, some
people hire local electricians, some
use professional installers. We have
©New Heights Series, 2021
seen small (1 Kw to 20 kW)wind
turbines installed for “nothing” by
owners, for “$800” by basic hourly
labor, and for several thousand
dollars by larger companies. The
choice is up to you. We always
recommend that you have a licensed
electrician oversee or check your
work. Also have adequate insurance
in the event of damage or injury. The
owner should always call his
insurance company and be sure to
“schedule” the turbine as additional
insured equipment or property.
Consider having an “installation”
party, you will find that your
neighbors will be thrilled and
delighted to have a “wind” barbeque
with you. Remember, you will have
made a tangible and significant
contribution to our world’s energy
needs and to clean energy. It is
something to celebrate! But, you need
to always add insurance to your
policies to cover the turbine and any
liability related thereto. Most good
companies can add it to policies you
already have in place. We recommend
this up front, before we will even send
installers.
49. What About Real Estate Taxes. If
A Turbine Increases My Property
Value Do My Taxes Go Up?
Texas gives a property tax exemption
for wind properties.The Texas
property tax code allows an
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exemption of the amount of the
appraised property value that arises
from the installation or construction
of a solar or wind-powered energy
device that is primarily for the
production and distribution of
thermal, mechanical or electrical
energy for on-site use, or devices used
to store that energy.
“Solar” is broadly defined to include
a range of biomass technologies.
“Solar energy device” means an
apparatus designed or adapted to
convert the radiant energy from the
sun, including energy imparted to
plants through photosynthesis
employing the bioconversion
processes of anaerobic digestion,
gasification, pyrolysis, or
fermentation, but not including direct
combustion, into thermal,mechanical,
or electrical energy;
to store the converted energy, either
in the form to which originally
converted or another form; or to
distribute radiant solar energy or the
energy to which the radiant solar
energy is converted. “Wind-powered
energy device” means an apparatus
designed or adapted to convert the
energy available in the wind into
thermal, mechanical, or electrical
energy; to store th econverted energy,
either in the form to which originally
converted or another form; or to
distribute the converted energy. Use
©New Heights Series, 2021
TexasProperty Tax Form 50-123,
“Exemption Application for Solar
orWind-Powered Energy Devices” to
claim this exemption.
50. Can A City Use A Wind Turbine
To Produce Electricity To Run City
Services, Such As Electricity For
Water Treatment Plants, Or
Sewertreatment Systems?
Yes
51. Is There A Way To Lease Or
Finance A Wind Turbine?
Yes, some banks, such as Frost Bank,
have a leasing program where one
can contract to “lease” a turbine for
a period of 5 years and at the end of
the lease period the turbine belongs to
the client. Other banks will lend on
wind turbines for a real estate project,
on a 5 yea rballoon loan based upon
15 or 20 year amortization. Since
most wind turbines can produce
enough electrical savings to pay for
themselves,they often will “amortize”
or pay off the loan in 5 to 7
years.(Sooner in high wind areas)
52. A Few Tax Credits, Grants, And
Benefits For Wind Turbine
Investments?
There is a 30% investment tax credit
for the purchase of a windturbine. the
law says you can also select to take
this as a cash grant if you wish. This
has changed in 2012, and we have
63
been told that this is a tax credit,
dollar for dollar credit against yoiur
taxes.Check with your CPA.
The USDA will provide up to a 25%
of the purchase price and installation
REAP grant for agricultural
producers or business in ag
communities
There are 5 federal programs giving
tax benefits, aid or grants for wind
applications
There is a 2 cents per kWh produced,
tax credit, to the owner of awind
turbine annually, credited to taxes,
but this applies to only large
commercial wind production
Commercial buyers of wind turbines
can depreciate them over a 5 to 7year
period and deduct the entire cost of
the turbine from taxes
We always recommend that you check
with a competent CPA to see what
your tax status is and which
deductions and incentives you qualify
for. In some cases there are “offsets”,
so you may not be able to claim both
a 30% ITC and 25% Ag deduction at
the same time. But if you are using
your turbine for business, you will
probably qualify for a 5 to 7
yeardepreciation deduction.
Depreciation deduction plus a 30%
ITC equals deductions, grants or
incentives that will largely help pay
©New Heights Series, 2021
for most of your expense over 5 to 7
years. This does not include the
energy you actually produce or
energy savings which are substantial.
53. How Much Water Does Wind
Power Use To Produce Electricity?
None. Consider this. Nuclear energy
uses a huge amount of water. Gas
wells use millions of gallons of water
to “frac” the wells. Oil wells use
large amounts of water. Coal mining
uses much water.
If we considerthat water is a
diminishing resource, then we must
appreciate the fact that wind turbines
use no water to produce electricity.
Water and energy are 2 of the world’s
most pressing and most critical
issues.
54. What Are Public Relations
Aspects Of Using Wind?
Wonderful. National polls suggest
that people like wind turbines. People
are fascinated by them. Consider if a
retail store such as WalMart puts a
wind turbine up, like they have north
of Dallas. They have hundreds of
people who drive by in their cars
“just to see the turbine”. Or consider
the message that a wind turbine at a
hospital conveys to the public. “We
are progressive. We believe in clean
energy that does not cause health
harmful pollution. We are serious
about the environment and about your
64
health”. The city, town, university, or
business that puts up a wind turbine,
puts up a sign that sends apositive
message to the community around it.
55. What About Solar Water
Heating?
Solar water heating is 6.5 times more
efficient than solar PV panels. It heats
water on the roof and with www.wind-
inc.us systems can heat the water
from 130 degrees on a cloudy day to
600 degrees on a full sun day. This
preheats the cold water that goes into
the water tank, and is constantly
circulated. It is said that 17% to 30%
of a commercial building power needs
are for heating water, the higher
range for hotels, food preparation,
condos, apartments, prisons,
universities, any place where
showers, food, laundry are used.
If an average prison, has 20% of it’s
utility bill for making hot water, and
our solar water heating system is
installed, then we add a wind turbine
to produce, say 70% of the balance of
electrical needs, it is possible that
90% of a building’s utility bill will be
covered. With our internal 14 point
energy conservation step audit, it is
possible to get some buildings to a net
“0” utility bill. We think more and
more buildings will achieve this in the
next few years. We are encouraging
it. Not with just one answer such as
©New Heights Series, 2021
wind, but with wind, solar water
heating, solar PV panels and internal
conservation methods.
56. If I Am In A Marginal Area For
Wind, But We Do Have Sunshine
Would You Go With Wind Or Solar?
The answer is, use a smaller wind
turbine, and a solar water heating
system, along with solar PV panels.
The use of all three will work even in
“marginal” wind areas. Remember
you will get 30% of your investment
back, and there is a “rule of 7’s” in
wind production. You may have only
one day in a week of trully good
winds. But every time your wind speed
doubles, your electric production goes
up 7 times. So 6 days in a week of 10
mile per hour gentle breeze will
produce some electricity, but on the
7th day, a 20 mph wind will produce 7
times the power and make up for
those slow days. This coupled with
solar water heating which is 6.5 times
more efficient than Solar P V panels,
and a solar array of P V, will give you
a good diversified energy system.
Also, when the wind does not blow,
the sun will shine most days.
Solar water heating, PV, and Wind all
work, even when there is below
freezing weather, and snow on the
ground. Also, in your building, use
metal reflective roofing, blow on foam
coating in the attic areas and recover
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your ducting, put in energy Star
appliances, use efficient light bulbs,
put trees and awnings near big
window areas, consider using the
extra heat from the wind turbine
dump load and the solar water
heating to heat the building “free”,
and you can even use excess heat in a
“heat exhanger” system to AC the
building. Your commercial building
can be a point of inspiration and
interest for the community. For more
facts on solar, see the specific articles
in the www.wind-inc.us site on wind,
solar water, and pv panels.
57. Are Wind Patterns Changing?
Wind patterns constantly show
seasonal changes, but the overall
pattern of wind over the past 100
years has shown little change. In
general research has identified Texas,
Oklahoma, Kansas, Montana, Parts of
New Mexico, Wyoming, Nebraska,
and large parts of Illinois,
Minnesota,essentially all of the Great
Plains, as well as Coastal Areas, and
areas that are near lakes and without
obstructions as some of the best winds
in the world.
58. What About Solar Water Heating
Systems?
Solar water heating is the most
efficient form of solar energy
production. It is 6.7 times more
efficient than PV panels. The water is
©New Heights Series, 2021
heated from the sun, and cold water is
preheated to temperatures and fed
into the water tank. So instead of
water going in at 65 degrees, it goes
into the hot water tank at 130 to 600
degrees, therefore the thermostadt
rarely activates, saving you money.
Typically 17% to 27% of a typical
building’s energy bill, is for heating
water. Buildings that have showers,
baths, food preparation, and
industrial needs for hot water will see
a higher percentage of their total
energy costs related to heating hot
water. Ideal applications are for
homes, resturants, hotels, prisons,
universities, and industrial food
processors, dairy operations, any
building that uses hot water. With the
modern systems that www.wind-inc.us
offers, the hot water can be
recirculated, and used for space
heating in a building as well. Also
heat exchangers can be incorporated,
providing a new inexpensive form of
energy for air conditioning systems.
59. Is It Necessary To Pay Sales Tax
For Wind Turbines, Or Solar
Panels?
Yes, most states require that sales tax
be paid. If you are agricultural or
farm related, some states such as
Texas, allow a sales tax exemption.
Also, non profits are sometimes
allowed a sales tax exemption. If your
are buying a product for “resale” you
66
can avoid paying state sales tax. You
can get online from the State, a sales
tax exemption form, that verifies that
you are “exempt” and you will need
to give this to wind-inc.com to keep in
file, if you wish to avoid paying sales
tax. In some cases, if items are
purchased out of state by internet,
sales tax may be waived, but check
with your local law on this. To be
sure, always check with the State
where you are in, and see if you are
exempt. But for most consumers and
businesses, sales tax is required to be
paid, at the time of sale/purchase.
60. Which Is Best “on Grid” Or “off
Grid”?
Many people live or have facilities in
remote places, where it would be
expensive to get power to the
property. Offshore drilling sites,
mountains, resorts, might apply. But,
while being completely independent is
a positive and has emotional appeal,
here are the
negatives:
you have to purchase batteries, and
these will begin to require
maintanance in 4 to 6 years.
if you do not have wind for a long
period of time, you will need to also
have a back up generator.
positives:
©New Heights Series, 2021
you are free of the addiction of being
on the electric grid
you have no electric bill
Now the advantages of an “on grid”
system are:
you still get the advantage of the
electricity because it goes from your
turbine to the inverter to the breaker
box.
ethical utilities will pay you the
“retail” price for energy that you
produce, if you make more electricity
than yoiu use. (Unfortunately, in some
areas of the USA, the utilites are not
paying the retail rate, but a wholesale
rate).
you have to continue to deal with the
utilities, but, if wind stops for an
extended time, you always have the
grid as a back up.
HYBRID SYSTEM:
Some are putting in an “off grid
system” but also installing an extra
breaker, so that they can be
completely “off grid” by throwing a
switch, and if the wind dies, they
throw the switch and are back on the
grid. The utility companies in some
areas have been agreeable to this,
others don’t like it. But, it is logical
and ethical utility companies should
go along with this.
61. How Efficient Is Wind Vs Coal?
67
Coal fired power plans lose about 2/3
of the energy that is burned, the losses
mean that only 33% of the energy in
the coal becomes electricity. The
electricity leaves the power plant and
depending on the efficiency of the
energy “lines” and the distance, we
see transmission losses from 11% to
15%. So, let’s assume a transmission
loss of 13%,(making transmission
efficiency 87 percent. So the end to
end efficiency of coal fired power is
probably .33 x . 87 = 28.71
%.(71.29% of the energy never makes
it to the consumer). Of course in the
process coal leaves coal sludge, dirty
air, and a huge health problem for
millions of people. Coal also uses
millions of gallons of water and
leaves that water residue toxic.
An average wind turbine converts
about 30% of the energy in the wind
into electricity. Line losses for locally
used industrial or commercial
turbines are 1 to 2% (vs 12% line loss
for the central grid system. So .30 x
.98 =29.4 So wind is more efficient,
and also uses no water, creates no
pollution, and is much cheaper to
build and install, with no negative
impacts upon the land, water or air.