A nomogram method for estimating the energy produced by wind turbine generators

A simple nomogram is constructed to estimate the power generated by a wind turbine generator (WTG) operated at near maximum efficiency using optimum tip-speed ratio between cut-in and rated wind speed and at constant power using optimum pitch control between rated and cut-out wind speed. The nomogram is based on information that is readily available for commercial WTGs as well as some simple statistical quantities for the wind at the site. When the wind speed is described by a Weibull distribution, the power of a WTG is estimated in terms of three generalized non-dimensional parameters. When a Rayleigh distribution is employed only two parameters are necessary. A second nomogram is also developed for those less common cases where a small correction of the results of the first nomogram is needed. A mathematical analysis is presented which allows for the construction of single chart nomograms without sacrificing the necessary accuracy. Two application examples demonstrate the degree of accuracy achieved by the nomograms and the advantages they offer for parametric analyses as regards convenience and labor. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.