What is capacity factor in wind energy?
The capacity factor of a wind turbine is its average power output divided by its maximum power capability. On land, capacity factors range from 0.26 to 0.52. The average 2019 capacity factor for projects built between 2014 and 2018 was 41%.
What is the plant capacity factor *?
Capacity factor is the measure of how often a power plant runs for a specific period of time. It’s expressed as a percentage and calculated by dividing the actual unit electricity output by the maximum possible output.
Is a higher capacity factor better?
Within a given technology or a given plant, yes, you can generally say that a higher capacity factor is better and in particular, more economical.
Why are so many wind turbines not turning?
The most common reason that turbines stop spinning is because the wind is not blowing fast enough. Most wind turbines need a sustained wind speed of 9 MPH or higher to operate. Technicians will also stop turbines to perform routine maintenance or repairs.
How big is the wind power industry in Germany?
Wind power in Germany is a growing industry. The installed capacity was 55.6 gigawatt (GW) at the end of 2017, with 5.2 GW from offshore installations. The wind power share of the country’s total electricity generation was estimated at 9.3% in 2010, 10.6% in 2011, 13.3% in 2015, and 18.7% in 2017.
How are onshore wind parks regulated in Germany?
For instance, under the German Federal Building Code (Baugesetztbuch, BauGB), onshore wind parks are privileged (ยง35 Para. 1 No. 5 BauGB). The Federal Building Code is the most important legal source for German urban development law, and it continues to be a key regulation impacting on onshore wind power development.
When was the first offshore wind farm built in Germany?
As of 2007, a new generation of 5 MW or larger wind turbines which are capable of making full use of the potential of wind power at sea had been developed. This made it possible to operate offshore wind farms in a cost-effective way. On 15 July 2009, the first offshore German windturbine completed construction.
Who is the largest wind power producer in the world?
As of the end of 2015 Germany was the third largest producer of wind power in the world by installations, behind China and the USA. Germany also has a number of turbine manufacturers, like Enercon, Nordex and Senvion . Since 1995, onshore wind energy has been an important and major industry in Germany.