Wind Power

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses use of wind power as a source of energy. Wind power differs from most other “alternative energy technologies” in that it is an old and proven source. . It is a technology which could be quickly brought to a large-scale use given determination and support on the part of the private and public sectors. The laws of physics tell that kinetic energy varies as the square of the wind speed. Since the amount of air which passes through the diameter of a windmill per unit time depends on the first power of the velocity of the air, the power available depends on the third power or cube of the wind velocity. Thus, if the wind speed doubles, the power available increases eight-fold. It is thus important for wind machines to operate at as high a wind speed as possible. Since the energy comes from the cylindrical volume of air which passes through the blades, the power available varies as the square of the windmill's diameter. Thus if the diameter is doubled, the power output is quadrupled.