Design study of wind turbines 50kw to 3000kw for electric utility applications : volume I - Summary report / General Electric Company

Informe/número de patente NASA CR-134934

ERDA/NASA/9403-76/1

GE-SD 76SDS4287

ERDA category UC-60

Wind turbine configurations that would lead to generation of electrical power in a cost effective manner were considered. All possible overall system configurationss, operating modes, and sybsystem concepts were evaluated for both technical feasibility and compatibility with utility networks, as well as for economic attractiveness. A design optimization computer code was developed to determine the cost sensitivity of the various design features, and thus establish the configuration and design conditions that would minimize the generated energy costs. The preliminary designs of both a 500 kW unit and a 1500 kW unit operating in a 12 mph and 18 mph median wind speed respectively, were developed. The rationale employed and the key findings are summarized.