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To: Cincinatus' Wife

The numbers, the corrected numbers, are still not relevant. The relevant and correct measure is RPM, revolutions per minute.

The speed of rotation varies with the radial distance. The tip moves faster than the hub. The turbine output is a function of the number of revolutions per minute within the limits of governors that prevent it from flying apart.

Also unmentioned was how many were out of service. Having seen wind farms in many states, I can say from personal wittness, at a minimum, 10% of the turbines are not functioning. At a wind farm near Palm Springs, the down factor was 0 % in one of the old farms.


10 posted on 10/04/2012 12:39:29 PM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Present failure and impending death yield irrational action))
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To: bert

——At a wind farm near Palm Springs, the down factor was 0 % in one of the old farms-——

The number is 30% down, not working, for this old wind farm.


11 posted on 10/04/2012 12:42:07 PM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... Present failure and impending death yield irrational action))
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To: bert

And because “optimal wind conditions” occur so seldom, my guess is that these monstrosities achieve maybe 10-20% of nameplate capacity over time.

And I think I’m too generous by half in that estimation.


12 posted on 10/04/2012 12:46:00 PM PDT by SargeK
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To: bert

Thank you for clarifying that.


13 posted on 10/04/2012 1:07:05 PM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
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