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Forum Index : Windmills : Air Density
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DaViD Senior Member  Joined: 14/01/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 120 |
I have looked over most of the commercial mills and it seems the standard is to have them perform well at an air density at or close to see level. Would this have much of an impact on the performance at say 1000 ft. above sea level at a temp. of 70-75 deg. F.? 
Anyone played around with this idea yet? If your not living on the edge your taking up to much space! |
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imsmooth Senior Member Joined: 07/02/2008 Location: United StatesPosts: 214 |
thinner air has less mass, so there is less kinetic energy; but, if this is where you live or have to build a generator there is nothing you can do about it. |
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GWatPE Senior Member Joined: 01/09/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2127 |
the energy in the wind is proportional to the air density. The windmill ratings give higher numbers at sea level. Sales is about numbers. comparing windmills at a standard air density makes performance difference easier to pick. Gordon. PS edit: if you were at 10,000ft, then there is approx half the air density, so half the wind energy for the same windspeed. 1,000 ft is approx 5% less energy for the same windspeed, compared to sea level. I would not be too concerned. become more energy aware |
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| DaViD Senior Member Joined: 14/01/2009 Location: United StatesPosts: 120 |
I was just wondering because when I was in the service a AH-64 would have to increase the rotor pitch & increase the engine speed at high alt. to stay aloft. so I would assume that a wind mill would loose a (lot) of its ability to generate power at the higher alt. If your not living on the edge your taking up to much space! |
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| Dinges Senior Member Joined: 04/01/2008 Location: AlbaniaPosts: 510 |
[quote=Gordon]if you were at 10,000ft, then there is approx half the air density, [/quote] Gordon, just a minor correction, but air pressure is half at a height of about 5500m (~18.000ft)(under international standard atmosphere conditions). Peter. |
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| GWatPE Senior Member Joined: 01/09/2006 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2127 |
No worries dinges, I am sure that if the actual values needed to be known, There is even less effect than I had originally estimated. Do the standard atmosphere conditions mention temperature. I would think it would be colder, so density will be higher for the same pressure, unless compensated for. Gordon. PS edit: here is a link to air density calculator become more energy aware |
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