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When the wind is too strong for wind turbines

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When the wind is too strong for wind turbines [PDF]

6 FAQs about [When the wind is too strong for wind turbines]

How do wind turbines fare in severe weather?

Let’s take a closer look at how wind turbines fare in different types of severe weather: Wind turbines are designed to work in a range of wind speeds, typically between 25 and 55 miles per hour (mph). However, when winds exceed this range, turbines are designed to shut down automatically to reduce the risk of damage.

Can wind turbines withstand severe weather?

However, while wind turbines are designed to withstand high winds and extreme weather conditions, severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and lightning strikes can cause damage to these machines. Let’s take a closer look at how wind turbines fare in different types of severe weather:

What happens if a wind turbine shuts down?

This cut-out speed is much lower than the wind speeds turbines are designed to withstand, but shutting down reduces the risk of damage to the turbine. When wind speeds surpass a modern utility-scale turbine’s rated wind speed, the blades begin to feather, or point into the wind to reduce their surface area.

What is the cut-in speed of a wind turbine?

The cut-in speed (typically between 6 and 9 mph) is when the blades start rotating and generating power. As wind speeds increase, more electricity is generated until it reaches a limit, known as the rated speed. This is the point that the turbine produces its maximum, or rated power.

When does a wind turbine stop turning?

All modern wind turbines are are set to stop turning automatically if there’s too much energy in the wind. Some will shut down if the average speed of the wind is over a certain level for a period of time, while others will stop after a super strong gust (something like 100mph).

How does weather affect a wind turbine?

In addition, the design of the turbine’s nacelle (the part of the turbine that houses the mechanical and electrical components) is designed to minimize the risk of damage during high-wind events. Tornadoes are another type of severe weather that can cause significant damage to wind turbines.

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