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I keep wanting to read that title as: Vertical turbines far more efficient than large-scale wind farms But then you read up and it's really: Vertical turbines

I keep wanting to read that title as: Vertical turbines far more efficient than large-scale wind farms But then you read up and it's really: Vertical turbines far more efficient when in large-scale wind farms than they are individually Whether they can ever be made to be efficient enough to make sense seems to be the question.

blok 6y ago
> Vertical turbines far more efficient when in large-scale wind farms than they are individually The article is saying that in large-scale wind farms, vertical turbines are more efficient than horizontal axis wind turbines (the "traditional form factor"). With horizontal axis turbines in large wind farms, there is always a loss of efficiency through the "wake effect" where some of the turbines are downwind from the others. But the study seems to have found that this can actually increase the efficiency of vertical turbines. Which is very unexpected.
- Kaibeezy 6y ago
  > The article is saying that in large-scale wind farms, vertical turbines are more efficient than horizontal axis wind turbines Is it? So much for my reading comprehension score today. ETA: I read the underlying paper this time (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014812100344X https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014812...) and I'm fairly certain what it's actually saying is: Vertical turbines far more efficient when in large-scale wind farms than they are individually, and furthermore their increase in efficiency can be greater than the increase in efficiency readily attainable by HAWTs because VAWTs can be placed close together and gain downstream efficiency, whereas HAWTs can't be placed so close together and even when relatively far apart lose downstream efficiency due to turbulence, but YMMV depending on local conditions and other factors, for example: the steadiness of the wind, because VAWTs often need a boost to start from a stop. Which is probably not the title they wanted to use, eh? Imma hop in my boxy but safe Volvo and go watch "Crazy People" again now.
  - ndonnellan 6y ago
    Yes, I think your reading is correct. The article makes claims the paper does not about comparing Vertical vs. Horizontal wind turbines.
- Nasrudith 6y ago
  If they really are more efficient in lower velocity wakes wouldn't it suggest putting them as a second line? It would probably make a bigger wake and of course would eventually experience diminished returns if you tried just adding more lines.
deleted 6y ago
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blok 6y ago

> Vertical turbines far more efficient when in large-scale wind farms than they are individually The article is saying that in large-scale wind farms, vertical turbines are more efficient than horizontal axis wind turbines (the "traditional form factor"). With horizontal axis turbines in large wind farms, there is always a loss of efficiency through the "wake effect" where some of the turbines are downwind from the others. But the study seems to have found that this can actually increase the efficiency of vertical turbines. Which is very unexpected.

Kaibeezy 6y ago
> The article is saying that in large-scale wind farms, vertical turbines are more efficient than horizontal axis wind turbines Is it? So much for my reading comprehension score today. ETA: I read the underlying paper this time (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014812100344X https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096014812...) and I'm fairly certain what it's actually saying is: Vertical turbines far more efficient when in large-scale wind farms than they are individually, and furthermore their increase in efficiency can be greater than the increase in efficiency readily attainable by HAWTs because VAWTs can be placed close together and gain downstream efficiency, whereas HAWTs can't be placed so close together and even when relatively far apart lose downstream efficiency due to turbulence, but YMMV depending on local conditions and other factors, for example: the steadiness of the wind, because VAWTs often need a boost to start from a stop. Which is probably not the title they wanted to use, eh? Imma hop in my boxy but safe Volvo and go watch "Crazy People" again now.
- ndonnellan 6y ago
  Yes, I think your reading is correct. The article makes claims the paper does not about comparing Vertical vs. Horizontal wind turbines.
Nasrudith 6y ago
If they really are more efficient in lower velocity wakes wouldn't it suggest putting them as a second line? It would probably make a bigger wake and of course would eventually experience diminished returns if you tried just adding more lines.

deleted 6y ago

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