Energy Losses at Wind Turbines Operating in Variable Wind Speed Conditions

The present paper presents the calculation of the energy losses of a wind turbine that operates in time-varying wind speeds, analyzing the conditions trough out the wind energy capture is maximum. The considered mathematical model of the turbine allows the estimation of optimal energy quantities, calculating the values of the wind energy captured at different values for the mechanical angular speed, ω, MAS. For a good estimation of the optimum mechanical angular speed, we appeal to the equivalent wind speed, determining, at the same time, the wind energy losses that cannot be captured due to the high mechanical inertia. The power oscillations at the generator are also calculated correlated with the inertia moment, concluding that it is more efficient, in terms of conversion efficiency, that the wind turbines are placed in areas with slightly variable wind speed over time.