Wind power distributions: A review of their applications

This paper presents the features of wind power distributions that have been analytically obtained from wind distribution functions. Simple equations establishing a relationship between mean power density and wind speed have been obtained for a given location and wind turbine (WT). Four different concepts relating wind power distribution functions are shown: the power transported by the wind; the theoretical maximum convertible power from it according to the Betz’ law; the maximum convertible power from the wind considering more realistic limits that will be explained; finally an even more approximate limit to the maximum power obtained from a wind turbine, considering its parameters. Similarly, four different equations are obtained establishing relationships between the mean power density and the mean wind speed. These equations are very simple and very useful when discarding locations for wind turbine installation.