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National Offshore Wind Strategy

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by iplug, Sep 19, 2016.

  1. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    Map @19 (typically) uses average wind speed. Wondering though if it is possible to use local wind-speed distributions to calculate 'available' energy. Map that instead.

    Most designs shut down at 13 m/s or so; no energy generation from faster winds.

    (edit) more accurately shown here:

    Wind Statistics and the Weibull distribution

    Lots of equations :eek: but computer programs help with those. Any location with anemometer data collected for 'enough' time has a known ditribution.
     
    #21 tochatihu, May 25, 2017
    Last edited: May 25, 2017
  2. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

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    To my knowledge, I have not come across such maps. Would be interested to see local wind variability. Took a quick look through NREL maps, but did not find them.

    Still, hoping average wind speed maps are close enough proxies for true wind power potential - the numbers I have seen are about double the cut-out/storm protection threshold mentioned (25 m/s [56 mph, which is pretty darned fast]). Apparently, turbines can tolerate winds much greater than their rated wind speed, although power output is unchanged.

    Power Curve.png
    https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/05/f22/Enabling%20Wind%20Power%20Nationwide_18MAY2015_FINAL.pdf

    So for the histogram on section 15 of your link, Plymouth, Mountbatten, the mean wind speed is 10.2 knots and the right tail of this distribution is below the cut-out speed of 25 m/s.

    The windiest offshore average wind speed is about 10-11 m/s in the U.S.. Not sure how much of the variability there exceeds 25 m/s, but guessing not too much. Someone here who spends more time out on these waters may know the definitive answer.
     
    #22 iplug, May 25, 2017
    Last edited: May 25, 2017
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is cc changing wind patterns significantly enough to make these historic measurements obsolete?
     
  4. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    From
    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/United_States_Wind_Resources_and_Transmission_Lines_map.jpg

    one can estimate meters per second linearly translates to 240 watts wind energy per square meter. Electromechanical inefficiency would lower this I presume. Otherwise windy places would be double solar energy input? That would not seem reasonable.

    ++
    Evidence for climate change effects were mixed but maybe slightly negative in:
    Climate Change May Mean Slower Winds - Scientific American
     
  5. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

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    Solar panels are also less efficient at higher operating temperatures. We get more solar output from our panels on a cool windy early spring day than a crispy longer day near the summer solstice.
     
  6. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Feathered chum?

    Bob Wilson
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a few less seagulls won't bother the airliners.:cool:
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  10. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    New technology will have infantile problems. It is tuition in the school of hard knocks.

    Bob Wilson
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    more fuel for the anti everything crowd
     
  13. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    When coal miners need rescue, coal-ash storage ponds blow out, or major misadventures in the petroleum supply chain occur, it cannot be attributed to young technology. Just sayin'.

    For new tech, a big spinner throws a blade or a generator bursts into flame. That's clickable maybe I guess. Their vast majority just hums along.

    For new tech, give me another big Musk rocket exploding. I be clickin on that.
     
  14. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I wonder how big they are?
    For the Virginia offshore wind, I think we are supposed to get the biggest blades ever tried, I wonder how well that will work?

    But dang-it @bisco Broken Windmill is one of my favorite tunes. I can play a little bit of it...here the version I like:
    The Broken Windmill | Tom McDermott & Evan Christopher Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios

    That's an old Dixieland song, but takes on a new modern meaning, doesn't it?
     
    #34 wjtracy, Aug 2, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2022
    bisco likes this.