![]() This measurement was taken 50 metres up from ground level in the postal code T3L 2V3.The Canadian Wind Energy Atlas calculated the annual average (mean) wind speed in Northwest Calgary as 21.2 kilometres per hour (5.92 metres per second).Part of the research is to gather existing information on wind speed in the area. How much wind is there in Northwest Calgary? Winds between 12 and 19 kilometres per hour (3.5 to 5.5 metres per second) are defined as a "gentle breeze” on the Beaufort Wind Force Scale. The wind speed at which some small wind turbines start producing electricity (cut-in wind speed) is 12 Kilometres per hour (3.5 metres per second). This assumes the small (50 kW) wind turbine model is the type that is effective at generating electricity with relatively low wind speeds. To generate enough electricity for a small wind turbine to significantly offset current electricity usage on site, a wind speed of about 18 kilometres per hour over a year is preferred. How much wind is “enough” for Bearspaw OWC? (enough to power about 23 average Calgary households for a year) This is enough electricity to power between 8 and 23 houses for a whole year.Ī slight difference in wind speed makes a big difference in electricityĮven slight differences in wind speed can greatly improve electricity generation.įor example, winds at about 14 kilometres per hour produce about half the electricity as winds at about 18 kilometres per hour.Some small (50 kW) wind turbines could produce anywhere from about 60,000 to 170,000 kilowatt hours annually.With consistent wind of between 14 and 22 kilometres per hour: How much electricity can a small wind turbine produce? A "moderate breeze" that causes dust and loose paper to be raised and small branches begin to move has wind between 20 and 28 kilometres per hour.A "gentle breeze" that causes leaves and small twigs to be constantly moving has wind between 12 and 19 kilometres per hour.The Beaufort Wind Force Scale helps explain wind speed: ![]() Depending on the model, the cut-in wind speed for small wind turbines varies from 9 to 16 kilometres per hour (2.5 to 4.5 metres per second) being 12 kilometres per hour (3.5 metres per second) the most common. The wind speed when wind turbines start producing electricity is called cut-in wind speed. Wind speed within a preferred range can produce a significant amount of electricity with certain small wind turbine models.Ībout 14 to 22 kilometres per hour (4 to 6 metres per second) is generally the preferred wind speed. Wind speed is averaged over a year to get a consistent measurement. ![]() How fast does the wind need to be to generate electricity?Ĭertain small wind turbine models (50 kW) are effective at generating electricity with relatively low wind speeds. The average Calgary household uses about 7,200 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. When comparing wind turbine sizes, industry definitions generally describe a "large" wind turbine as over 50 kilowatts (kW) in size and any turbine 50 kW and under as a "small" wind turbine.
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