Why is wind power so bad?

Wind power has been dealt a huge blow in recent years due to insufficient grid connections. The number of available transmission lines around the world can’t cope with the rate in which turbines are coming online, meaning power generation is wasted.

How does wind speed affect wind power generation?

Wind power generation is highly sensitive to variations in wind speed, as the power output from a wind turbine is proportional to the cube of the wind speed (for example, a 10% reduction in wind speed leads to a 27% reduction in power output). Furthermore, a minimum wind speed is required for turbines to start generating electricity .

Why is wind power generation important?

Another contribution of wind power generation is that it allows countries to diversify their energy mix, which is especially important in countries where hydropower is a large component. The expansion of wind power generation requires a robust understanding of its variability and thus how to reduce uncertainties associated with wind power output.

What causes a decrease in wind speed?

The cause of the decrease is uncertain, say scientists, but one possible explanation is a phenomenon called global stilling. This is a decrease in average surface wind speed owing to climate change.

How does less wind affect electricity production?

Less wind has a direct impact on the amount of electricity that can be generated by the many wind farms across Europe. In March this year, Britain experienced its longest spell of low wind output in more than a decade.

What factors affect wind energy production?

Contrary to conventional energy sources, wind speed varies both spatially and temporally, generating fluctuations in wind energy output (Fernández-González et al., 2018). Weather variables such as wind direction, temperature, pressure and humidity, among others, influence wind power production (Sharifian et al., 2018).