MENG 4663

Assignment III

1. a) By considering the ratio of the areas Ao and A1 of figure 9.6, show that the optimum power
extraction ( according to linear momentum theory) per unit of area A o is 8/9 of the incident
power in the wind
b) Prove that the torque produced by a wind turbine rotor of radius R can be expressed as
Γ= (π/2)CpR3uo2/λ

2. For a wind speed pattern following a Rayleigh distribution, prove that:

a) The most probable wind speed is 0.80𝑢̅
b) The maximum energy in a given wind interval occurs at a wind speed of 1.60𝑢̅.
3. Compare the solutions for Problem 2 with the wind speed factors indicated on Figures 9.18
and 9.20 for North Ronaldsay, and comment on how well the relationships between these
factors is explained by the wind having a Rayleigh distribution. Include the following
relation in your analysis: u 3  (6 /  )(u)3 where u 3 is the mean of u3, and 𝑢
̅ is the mean of u,
̅̅̅̅ 1/3
and therefore (𝑢3 ) = 1.24𝑢̅

4. a) A wind turbine maintains a tip-speed ratio of 8 at all wind speeds. At which wind speed
will the blade tip exceed the speed of sound? Could shock waves occur earlier
b) A large wind turbine has a blade diameter of 100 m. At what rotor speed (r.p.m.) will the
tip-speed exceed the speed of sound?
. c) Prove that at maximum power extraction, tip-speed ratio λ ~ cotφ/1.5, where  is the angle
the relative velocity subtends with plane of rotation.

5. a) Calculate the possible maximum axial thrust per unit area of rotor for a wind turbine in a
20 m/s wind.
b) The Danish standard for axial thrust design is 300 N/m2 of rotor area. What is the
maximum possible wind speed that this corresponds to?

6. A wind turbine rated at 600 kW has a cut-in speed of 5 m/s, a rated speed of 19 m/s and a
cut-out speed of 23 m/s. Its power output as a function of wind speed at hub height is
summarized in the following table. Its hub height is 45 m.
Speed (m/s) 0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0
Power output(kW) 0 0 0 10 36 80 150
Speed (m/s) 14.0 16.0 18.0 20.0 22.0 24 26
Power output(kW) 240 370 520 600 600 0 0

Calculate approximately the likely annual Energy output, and hence its capacity factor at:
a) North Ronaldsay where the wind follows a Rayleigh distribution with mean speed
8.2m/s, measured at a height of 10m (i.e. conditions like Section 9.6.3)
b) at another site where the mean wind speed at 10 m is 6m/s.
c) at Zaafarana where mean speed at 10 m height is 10 m/s.
Plot ET and CF versus mean wind speed for this wind-turbine.
7. i) plot PT – u0 characteristic for above turbine and compare against theoretical turbine
model for given: uc.i., uc.o., ur and Pr.
ii) indicate whether the cutoff speed is suitable for Zaafarana site or not.
hint: extend uc.o. and investigate effect on CF.
iii) estimate effect of reducing ur using theoretical model
8. By employing 1/7 th power law and plotting uz3 against z show that for z > 60 m the variation
of power density with height is relatively small. It follows that it is not worthwhile to have
very high towers (i.e. > 60m or so) for small wind turbines. How might the argument be
different for large wind turbines?