Question:

How is a wind power station designed? What is the distribution of different energies in France?

Answer:

Good design of a wind power station is essential for the service life and cost effectiveness of the facility. The electricity generated must satisfy real needs, which is why high-power units (1 to 2 MWe) are only used for systems connected to the electric grid. Wind generators in the 1 to 50 kWe range (8-meter diameter blades) are used for rural electrification and are not connected to the grid. Therefore, a preliminary design cannot be done until real energy demand has been assessed. Then local wind power potential must be determined by measuring wind speeds and the number of windy days per year. This is done over a period of at least two years. Remember that regular winds of 3 to 12 meters per second (10 to 45 kilometers per hour) are necessary for optimum operation. As for the distribution among different forms of primary energy consumed in France, electricity is in the lead with 41.5%, ahead of oil with 34.5%. Then comes natural gas (15%), followed by coal and renewable energies, which are almost equal at about 5% each.

Source: L’énergie en France en 2002 [Energy in France in 2002], Energy and Raw Materials Department, April 2003).