Visited E2 - Energy Solutions Expo 2007 today

[DamonHD]

Hi,

If anyone is interested I can do a little writeup (I spoke to a bunch of people), and if the mods/gods don't object.

I'll keep it short and/or make it a link off-site, but I'm not sure where best to post it here, ie which section.  Suggestions?

One quick factoid: while typical wind power is meant to be good for ~35% of rated power on average though the year, the CEO of a VAWT manufacturer told me that he would only expect 18% from his kit (partially, to be fair, since it is targeted at urban areas, not wind-farm sites).

Rgds

Damon

[DamonHD]

Well, here's the writeup: short and sweet...

http://www.earth.org.uk/note-on-E2-Energy-Solutions-Expo-2007.html

[DanB]

I think (of course depending on the size/rating of the 'urban VAWT) the 18% rating is nuts.  I also expect the 35% rating for 'typical wind power' is also way off the mark - or... perhaps it applies to utility scale wind power.  I cannot think of many small wind turbine installations that will 'on average' produce 35% of their 'rated' output.  Perhaps on a perfect site.

[DamonHD]

Hi,

Yes, the 30%+ capacity factor is for utility scale power well sited, and I think comes from real measurements (see the BWEA figures in here http://www.bwea.com/ref/capacityfactors.html for example).  So yes, these sites will be as near to perfect as money can buy!

Rgds

Damon

[DamonHD]

Hi again,

I got a comment from the QR CEO on the 18% figure, and have just added it to my write-up if you are interested.

Basically he says that CF is not as useful a number as the actual overall energy economics of an installation, ie the bottom line beats CF if they disagree.

Rgds

Damon