The document discusses the theoretical maximum efficiency of a wind turbine, known as the Betz limit. It presents the derivation of the Betz limit through analysis of the conservation of mass flow and kinetic energy extraction as air passes through a turbine. The derivation shows that the maximum possible power coefficient is 59% when the downstream wind speed is 1/3 of the upstream speed. This optimal ratio is characterized by the tip speed ratio. The document also notes that in practice, the power coefficient of a wind turbine is typically around 40-60% of the theoretical maximum depending on wind speed.
Related topics: