Wind potential energy is the amount of usable energy that can be produced by wind currents. It has been used for centuries to power windmills, sailing ships, and produce electricity. The potential energy of the wind is measured in joules and can be calculated to evaluate the feasibility of wind turbine fields. The formula used to derive potential wind energy is also used to determine the economic feasibility of wind energy harvesting.
Potential energy was first defined in the 19th century by Scottish physicist William Rankine. He explained it as energy stored within a system that could be converted into work. When referring to potential wind energy, it can be understood as the amount of usable energy that can actually be produced by wind currents. This wind energy is converted into kinetic energy through means such as wind turbines, windmills, wind pumps and ship sails. Humanity has a long history of using the potential energy of the wind for its own purposes: to drive windmills, grind grain, propel sailing ships across the sea and, more recently, to produce electricity.
The potential energy of the wind is measured in joules. A joule is defined as the work required to produce one watt of power for one second period. The basic theory behind wind potential energy states that wind at a certain speed and strength can create enough joules of energy to perform a given task. For example, if a steady breeze spins the blades of a wind turbine 10 revolutions per second and each revolution produces 1.5 joules, the resulting potential wind energy would be 15 joules. This means it could reasonably produce 15 watts of energy every second.
Using the same example, if the wind continued with the same constant breeze for one hour, it would produce 54 kilowatts of electricity. The potential energy of the breeze would be 54,000 joules per hour. That figure could power a 100-watt light bulb continuously for 540 hours before burning out.
The formula for calculating wind potential energy is also used to evaluate the economic feasibility of wind turbine fields and other methods of harvesting wind energy. In areas where the wind is constant, it can be a cost-effective decision to try to harness its power. In areas where air movement is less than constant, however, the expense of installing and maintaining wind turbines and other energy-harvesting devices may outweigh any benefits that might be gained.
To determine the economic feasibility, the formula used to derive the potential wind energy from the previous example is used and then multiplied by the number of wind turbines proposed. Using the above example, if a single wind turbine produces 54,000 joules of electrical energy per hour, ten wind turbines can reasonably be expected to have a potential wind energy of 540,000 joules per hour. According to this estimate, the potential wind energy of such a wind turbine field will have the potential to produce 540 kilowatt-hours of electricity per hour as long as the wind continues.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
