Serowbot wrote on 01/07/20 at 09:22:34:http://www.ftexploring.com/wind-energy/wind-turbine-efficiency.htm Quote:Wind turbine efficiency is a useful parameter for comparing performance of wind turbines to other wind turbines. Comparisons of wind turbine efficiency to the efficiency of other forms of power generation is meaningless and misleading (which is worse than meaningless). Though that hasn't stopped people from doing it all over the internet. In physics and engineering, efficiency is a way to compare the performance of a device or system to some ideal or standard of perfection for that specific type of device or system. It has no meaning outside its clearly defined mathmatical formula. For wind turbines and other power sources, the cost of energy produced is the best for economic comparisons, but other factors such as sustainability, capacity factor, impact on environment, and less dependence on foreign oil, are also important for setting energy policy.
Wind is free energy... Zero cost input.
Efficiency is of no consequence.
The wind blows whether you make use of it's power or not.
Same with sun or water.
Web presents a red herring...
Nonsense. The quote was written by someone trying to dissuade the reader.
Here’s my guess at an explanation.
A flame produces light, measure in lumens. So you make a candle and improve the efficiency of the flame. You put a glass around it and further improve the efficiency. Perhaps you construct mirrors to reflect the light to avoid loss which further improve efficiency.
Passing a current through a certain wire of a particular material with resistance creates heat and visible light also measured in lumens. A light bulb! Change the material of the wire and you improve the efficiency. Use an inert gas in the bulb and you improve the efficiency. Change the glass or its shape and you further improve efficiency. Make an LED bulb and you improve efficiency you even further.
Both the flame and a wire with current passing through it that creates visible light start off with a maximum possible efficiency. The wire with a current passing through it has a much much higher maximum possible efficiency.
Where am I wrong?