CHAPTER 8Wind Turbines Demystified

You know, you’re very beautiful. You’re also very quiet. And I’m not used to girls being that quiet unless they’re medicated. Normally I go out with girls who talk so much you could hook them up to a wind turbine and they could power a small New Hampshire town.

–ADRIAN CRONAUER (ROBIN WILLIAMS) IN GOOD MORNING VIETNAM (1987)

Overview

• What are the main parts of a wind turbine?

• What is the difference between upwind and downwind turbines?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of vertical axis wind turbines?

• What certification programs and standards apply to small wind turbines?

As you are hopefully aware by now, the part that spins is only a small portion of a complete wind system, which is a fairly ...

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