4 FAQs about Generation only requires level 1 wind

Can a wind turbine generate power without enough wind?

Simply put, no matter how advanced or efficient your turbine may be, it won't generate meaningful power without sufficient wind. Wind speed influences every stage of your project—from siting and equipment selection to installation and long-term energy output.

How many kilowatthours do wind turbines generate a year?

Total annual U.S. electricity generation from wind energy increased from about 6 billion kilowatthours (kWh) in 2000 to about 434 billion kWh in 2022. In 2022, wind turbines were the source of about 10.3% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation.

Why is wind power variable?

Wind turbine power output is variable due to the fluctuation in wind speed; however, when coupled with an energy storage device, wind power can provide a steady power output. Wind turbines, called variable-speed turbines, can be equipped with control features that regulate the power at high wind velocities.

How much electricity can a 12 mph wind turbine generate?

Thus, a turbine operating at a site with an average wind speed of 12 mph could in theory generate about 33% more electricity than one at an 11-mph site, because the cube of 12 (1,768) is 33% larger than the cube of 11 (1,331).

View/Download Generation only requires level 1 wind [PDF]

PDF version includes complete article with source references. Suitable for printing and offline reading.