Distributed Generation and Renewable Energy 791

Additionally, the wind force applied on the tower (Ft) carrying the wind turbine has to be con-
sidered. The resultant effect of these forces is to develop a moment about the tower base in the
clockwise direction. This overturning moment is a function of the wind speed, size of the blades,
and the height of the wind turbine.
Because of this, large wind turbines mounted on high towers must be properly supported. Also,
many wind turbines have an automatic high-wind shutdown feature. This feature automatically
turns the blades so that they become parallel to the wind and it can escape any damage to the WECS
system.

13.9.9  Impact of Tower Height on Wind Power

As general rule, a taller tower is expected to result in higher-speed winds to the wind turbine.
However, surface winds can also be affected by the irregularities or roughness of the earth’s surface
or by the existing forest and/or buildings in the vicinity. The relationship between the wind speed
and the height of the wind turbine can be expressed as

α
v  H 
= (13.17)
v0  H 0 

where
v is the wind speed at height H
v0 is the reference (or known) wind speed at reference height of H0
α is the roughness (friction) sufficient

In Europe, the relationship in Equation 13.17 is modified as

v n( H / 2)
= (13.18)
v0 n( H 0 / 2)

There are many factors that affect wind, for example, elevation, contour of the ground in the
surrounding areas, tall buildings, and trees. The average wind speed will be probably different at
different tower heights. In the event that the average wind speed at different heights is the same, the
location with shorter height should be considered since such application results in less expensive
tower.
Furthermore, at a higher elevation having greater wind, it is possible to use a smaller wind tur-
bine with shorter blade diameter, rather than using a large turbine with larger blade diameter at a
lower elevation for obtaining the same amount of power.
The value of the exponent α in Equation 13.17 depends on the roughness of the terrain given in
Table 13.2

Table 13.2
Roughness Coefficient for Various Class Types of Terrain
Roughness Class Terrain Description Roughness Coefficient (α)
Class 0 (Open water) α = 0.1
Class 1 (Open plain) α = 0.15
Class 2 (Countryside with farms) α = 0.2
Class 3 (Villages and low forest) α = 0.3