Comments on: Minneapolis International Airport Installs Wind Generators

By: russ

russ — Sun, 24 May 2009 08:38:26 +0000

What a great idea and expenditure of public funds!

With an average wind speed of 10.5 mph (a 64 year average) the output per turbine will be something in the range of 50 to 60 watts per unit. The 10.5 mph velocity is at a proper elevation for taking wind speeds so the actual will be even lower.

Of the 50 to 60 watts take 1/3 for actual output on an annual basis. Maybe 200 kW per turbine per year? These guys expect the 10 kW per hour?

The payback is somewhere around the year 2525!

Really a genius investment – this guy should run for president!

By: Will

Will — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:09:13 +0000

Thats great that they have installed wind turbines, just remember 10 wind turbines rated at 1kW wont produce 10kw an hour unless the wind consistently blows at the rated windspeed, which is pretty close to maximum power output for a turbine and probably about 25mph. Not likely unless your in the Shetland islands. And do these turbines only face one direction?

Will T, MSc Eng. Edinburgh

By: Phillip Greene

Phillip Greene — Sat, 16 May 2009 16:12:33 +0000

The use of wind turbines at the Minneapolis Airport is brilliant. These vehicles aren’t going 200 miles so the 45 mile range is fine. I can think of several uses for wind generated electricity, for instance golf carts. They don’t have to go 200 miles either. Golf courses can have some windy settings too. My father used to play at one in Hutchison, Kansas that was quite wind swept. Kudos for the Minneapolis Airport.