Why is high speed at low torque optimum for energy generation in a wind turbine?
I’m studying an article on wind turbines. The article says that for electricity generation, a wind turbine rotating at high speed providing a low torque is preferable to a turbine rotating at a low speed and producing a high torque. Can anyone explain why this is the case? Surely the speed could be altered easily using a sequence of gears before the generator?
I’m gonna add onto the above answer. Wind turbines operate at a high speed with low torque because it will garner the most efficiency. When the wind turbine operates at a “light breeze”, the blades will meet less friction and can therefore use that towards power generation instead.
2 Comments »
Mark G said :
November 3, 2008 at 10:01 am
It would allow the blades to turn in a gentle breeze
References :
youtestingm said :
November 3, 2008 at 11:38 am
I’m gonna add onto the above answer. Wind turbines operate at a high speed with low torque because it will garner the most efficiency. When the wind turbine operates at a “light breeze”, the blades will meet less friction and can therefore use that towards power generation instead.
References :
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