Height of grassland wind power tower

How high should a wind turbine be?

Higher nameplate and lower specific power turbines (e.g., 150 to 175 watts per square meter) also show a general economic preference for the lowest considered tower height; however, these larger turbines require tower heights of at least 110 m. Tower heights of 140 m and in some cases 160 m tend to be preferred in more moderate wind speed areas.

Should wind turbine towers be taller?

In a new study, Increasing Wind Turbine Tower Heights: Opportunities and Challenges, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers examine opportunities for increasing the height of wind turbine hubs—where the turbine drivetrain and rotors attach—and the conditions and locations where taller towers would have the most impact.

How high should a power turbine tower be?

This result is consistent with industry experience to date. Higher nameplate and lower specific power turbines (e.g., 150 to 175 watts per square meter) also show a general economic preference for the lowest considered tower height; however, these larger turbines require tower heights of at least 110 m.

Will taller towers increase wind power opportunities?

At the same time, taller towers may be critical to increasing the opportunity for wind power across the nation and could become increasingly attractive as innovations drive down the costs required to achieve higher hub heights.

Why are taller turbine towers desirable?

Taller towers are desirable because winds are stronger at higher altitudes, thereby producing more power for each turbine installed. However, tower height stalled at 80m due to unacceptable economics with taller tubular towers.

Can tall towers serve higher wind speed areas?

Moreover, given these differences, investments in tall tower technology that are intended to serve lower wind speed areas could, if successful, easily extend into higher wind speed areas based on the relatively small current advantages of shorter towers on an LCOE basis in those regions.