Publication

Theoretical efficiency of a wind turbine in non-uniform base flow: Revisiting the Betz–Joukowsky limit

2026

Abstract

Classical one-dimensional momentum theory suggests that there is an upper limit to the power that can be extracted from the available wind resource. In the present work, we relax the assumption of constant velocity and investigate how the power efficiency of a turbine is affected by a non-uniform velocity field in the base flow. The analysis shows that a non-uniform base flow velocity in the streamwise direction can increase or decrease the maximum theoretical efficiency of a turbine for accelerating or decelerating flow, respectively. Furthermore, the effect of cross-stream flow shear on the maximum theoretical efficiency of a turbine is discussed.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/913143d6-e50a-4d2f-b6aa-4f75164690c7

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2026

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/913143d6-e50a-4d2f-b6aa-4f75164690c7

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Thermal efficiency

In thermodynamics, the thermal efficiency () is a dimensionless performance measure of a device that uses thermal energy, such as an internal combustion engine, steam turbine, steam engine, boiler, furnace, refrigerator, ACs etc. For a heat engine, thermal efficiency is the ratio of the net work output to the heat input; in the case of a heat pump, thermal efficiency (known as the coefficient of performance) is the ratio of net heat output (for heating), or the net heat removed (for cooling) to the energy input (external work).

Energy conversion efficiency

Energy conversion efficiency (η) is the ratio between the useful output of an energy conversion machine and the input, in energy terms. The input, as well as the useful output may be chemical, electric power, mechanical work, light (radiation), or heat. The resulting value, η (eta), ranges between 0 and 1. Energy conversion efficiency depends on the usefulness of the output. All or part of the heat produced from burning a fuel may become rejected waste heat if, for example, work is the desired output from a thermodynamic cycle.

Velocity

Velocity is the speed and the direction of motion of an object. Velocity is a fundamental concept in kinematics, the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies. Velocity is a physical vector quantity: both magnitude and direction are needed to define it. The scalar absolute value (magnitude) of velocity is called , being a coherent derived unit whose quantity is measured in the SI (metric system) as metres per second (m/s or m⋅s−1). For example, "5 metres per second" is a scalar, whereas "5 metres per second east" is a vector.

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Theoretical efficiency of a wind turbine in non-uniform base flow: Revisiting the Betz–Joukowsky limit

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