Wind Energy Glossary Finder

Wind energy

The conversion of the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity using wind turbines.

Rotor

The rotating assembly consisting of blades attached to a hub. The rotor captures wind energy and transfers it to the drivetrain.

Swept area

The circular area described by the rotating blades (A = πr²). Larger swept area means more wind intercepted and more energy produced.

Capacity factor

The ratio of actual energy produced to the maximum possible if the turbine ran at rated power continuously. Expressed as a percentage.

Rated power

The maximum continuous output a turbine is designed to produce, reached at its rated wind speed.

Cut-in speed

The minimum wind speed at which a turbine starts generating electricity. Typically 3–4 m/s.

Cut-out speed

The wind speed at which a turbine shuts down to protect itself from damage. Typically 25 m/s.

Betz limit

The theoretical maximum efficiency of a wind turbine rotor: approximately 59.3% of the available wind energy.

Nacelle

The housing at the top of the tower that contains the drivetrain, generator and other mechanical components.

Yaw system

Motors and bearings that rotate the nacelle to keep the rotor facing into the wind.

Pitch control

A system that adjusts the angle of the blades to optimise energy capture at low winds and limit power at high winds.

Power coefficient (Cp)

The fraction of wind power a rotor actually converts to mechanical energy. The Betz limit sets the maximum at 0.593.

Tip-speed ratio (TSR)

The ratio of blade-tip speed to wind speed. Three-bladed turbines perform best at TSR 6–8.

Gearbox

Converts the slow rotation of the rotor shaft into the faster rotation needed by a conventional generator.

Direct drive

A drivetrain design that eliminates the gearbox, connecting the rotor directly to a low-speed permanent-magnet generator.

Offshore wind

Wind turbines installed in the sea, typically on fixed foundations or floating platforms. Usually higher capacity factors than onshore.

LCOE

Levelised Cost of Energy: the average cost per unit of electricity over a project’s lifetime, accounting for capital and operating costs.

Wind shear

The change in wind speed with height. Wind generally increases with height above the ground surface.

Wake effect

The region of slower, more turbulent air behind a turbine that can reduce the output of downwind turbines in a farm.

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