Energy yield

Definition

Energy yield refers to the amount of energy produced by a system relative to the energy input, essentially measuring the efficiency of energy conversion in airborne wind energy systems. It is crucial for understanding how well a system can harness and convert kinetic energy from the wind into usable electrical energy. Energy yield is affected by several factors, including flight patterns, harvesting techniques, and system design.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Energy yield can be maximized by optimizing flight patterns, such as crosswind or figure-eight trajectories, to capture more kinetic energy.
2. The reel-in and reel-out phases are essential for energy harvesting, as they determine how much energy can be stored or delivered back to the grid.
3. Field testing is crucial for evaluating the real-world performance of airborne wind energy systems, providing data on their actual energy yield under varying conditions.
4. Energy yield comparisons with other renewable technologies help assess the viability and efficiency of airborne wind systems in broader energy markets.
5. The basic principles of airborne wind energy systems emphasize the importance of maximizing energy yield through advanced engineering and aerodynamics.

Review Questions

• How do different flight patterns affect the energy yield in airborne wind energy systems?
  • Different flight patterns significantly impact the energy yield by altering how effectively the system can capture wind energy. For instance, crosswind trajectories allow the system to exploit varying wind directions more effectively, potentially increasing power generation. Similarly, figure-eight patterns can maximize the time spent in optimal wind conditions, leading to higher overall energy yields compared to static or less dynamic patterns.
• In what ways do reel-in and reel-out phases contribute to the overall energy yield of airborne wind energy systems?
  • The reel-in and reel-out phases play critical roles in determining the overall energy yield by influencing how much kinetic energy is harvested and subsequently converted into electrical power. During the reel-out phase, the system extracts maximum energy from the wind as it travels away from its anchor point. Conversely, during reel-in, efficiency can be affected by factors such as drag and tension. Optimizing these phases ensures that more energy is captured and less is lost during operation.
• Evaluate how field testing contributes to improving the design and efficiency of airborne wind energy systems based on their energy yield.
  • Field testing is essential for collecting empirical data on the performance of airborne wind energy systems under real-world conditions. By evaluating how different designs impact energy yield, engineers can identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement. This iterative process allows for the refinement of components like kites or drones, leading to enhanced aerodynamic designs and optimized control strategies that ultimately increase the system's capacity to harvest wind energy effectively.

Related terms

Power coefficient: A dimensionless number that represents the fraction of the wind's kinetic energy that can be converted into mechanical power by a wind energy system.

Altitude gain: The vertical distance a kite or airborne wind energy device ascends during operation, which can influence the energy yield due to variations in wind speed at different heights.

Flight cycles: The repeated sequences of ascent and descent that an airborne wind energy system undergoes, which are critical for optimizing the energy yield during operation.