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 Theory of Wind Turbine and Betz Coefficients
It is assumed that the velocity of the wind at the inlet of the duct is V1 and velocity of air at
the outlet of the duct is V2. Say, mass m of the air is passed through this imaginary duct per
second.
The kinetic energy of wind at the inlet of the duct is,

kinetic energy of wind at the outlet of the duct is

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 Theory of Wind Turbine and Betz Coefficients
The power extracted from the wind is the same as the kinetic energy changed
during the flow of mass m of the air from the inlet to the outlet of the duct.

If V , A and ρ are the velocity of the air, the cross-sectional area of the duct
a

and density of air at the turbine blades respectively, then the mass flow rate
of the wind can be represented as

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 Theory of Wind Turbine and Betz Coefficients
Now, replacing m by ρVaA in equation (1), we get,

Now, as the turbine is assumed to be placed at the middle of the duct, the wind
velocity at turbine blades can be considered as average velocity of inlet and outlet
velocities.

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Theory of Wind Turbine
and Betz Coefficients

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 Betz Coefficient

 From, the above equation it is found that the theoretical maximum power extracted
from the wind is in the fraction of 0.5925 of its total kinetic power.
 This fraction is known as the Betz Coefficient.
 This calculated power is according to theory of wind turbine but actual mechanical
power received by the generator is lesser than that and it is due to losses for friction
rotor bearing and inefficiencies of aerodynamic design of the turbine

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From equation (4) it is clear that the extracted power is
1.Directly proportional to air density ρ. As air density increases, the power of the
turbine increases.
2.Directly proportional to the swept area of the turbine blades. If the length of the blade
increases, the radius of the swept area increases accordingly, so turbine power increases.
3.Turbine power also varies with velocity3 of the wind. That indicates if the velocity of
wind doubles and the turbine power will increase to eight folds.

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 Wind turbine power output variation with steady wind speed
Cut-in speed
 At very low wind speeds, there is insufficient torque exerted by the wind on the
turbine blades to make them rotate. However, as the speed increases, the wind
turbine will begin to rotate and generate electrical power.
 The speed at which the turbine first starts to rotate and generate power is called
the cut-in speed and is typically between
3 and 4 metres per second.

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 Wind turbine power ouput variation with steady wind speed

Cut-out speed.
 As the speed increases above the rate output wind speed, the forces on the turbine
structure continue to rise and, at some point, there is a risk of damage to the rotor.
 As a result, a braking system is employed to bring the rotor to a standstill. This is called
the cut-out speed and is usually around 25 metres per second

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Rated output power and wind speed.
 As the wind speed rises above the cut-in speed, the level of electrical ouput power rises
rapidly as shown.
 However, typically somewhere between 12 and 17 metres per second, the power output
reaches the limit that the electrical generator is capable of.
 This limit to the generator output is called the rated power output and the wind speed at
which it is reached is called the rated output wind speed.
 At higher wind speeds, the design of the turbine is arranged to limit the power to this
maximum level and there is no further rise in the output power.
How this is done varies from design to design but typically
with large turbines, it is done by adjusting the
blade angles so as to keep the
power at the constant level

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 Pitch Control

 The purpose of pitch control is to maintain the optimum blade angle to achieve certain
rotor speeds or power output.

 stall and furl: two methods of pitch control.

 By stalling a wind turbine, means increase the angle of attack, which causes the flat side
of the blade to face further into the wind.
 Furling decreases the angle of attack, causing the edge of the blade to face the oncoming
wind.
 Pitch angle adjustment is the most effective way to limit output power by changing
aerodynamic force on the blade at high wind speeds.
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 Yaw control

 Yaw refers to the rotation of the entire wind turbine in the horizontal axis.
 Yaw control ensures that the turbine is constantly facing into the wind to
maximize the effective rotor area and, as a result, power.
 Because wind direction can vary quickly, the turbine may misalign with the
oncoming wind and cause power output losses.

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 Advantages of WECS

1) Wind Energy is an inexhaustible source of energy and is virtually a limitless

resource.
2) Energy is generated without polluting environment.
3) This source of energy has tremendous potential to generate energy on large scale.
4) Like solar energy and hydropower, wind power taps a natural physical resource.
5) Windmill generators don’t emit any emissions that can lead to acid rain or
greenhouse effect.
6) Wind Energy can be used directly as mechanical energy
7) In remote areas, wind turbines can be used as great resource to generate energy.
8) In combination with Solar Energy they can be used to provide reliable as well as
steady supply of electricity.
9) Land around wind turbines can be used for other uses, e.g. Farming.

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 Disadvantages of WECS

1) Wind energy requires expensive storage during peak production time.

2) It is unreliable energy source as winds are uncertain and unpredictable
3) There is visual and aesthetic impact on region.
4) Requires large open areas for setting up wind farms.
5) Noise pollution problem is usually associated with wind mills.
6) Wind energy can be harnessed only in those areas where wind is strong enough and
weather is windy for most parts of the year.

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 Disadvantages of WECS

7) Usually places, where wind power set-up is situated, are away from the places where
demand of electricity is there. Transmission from such places increases cost of electricity.
8) The average efficiency of wind turbine is very less as compared to fossil fuel power
plants. We might require many wind turbines to produce similar impact.
9) It can be a threat to wildlife. Birds do get killed or injured when they fly into turbines.
10) Maintenance cost of wind turbines is high as they have mechanical parts which
undergo wear and tear over the time.

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