It is very important that these wind speed measurements be very accurate because any error in wind speed will be greatly magnified. Wind turbines need a constant wind speed of 15 kilometers (9 miles) per hour, for small wind turbines, and 21 kilometers (14 miles) per hour, for utility-scale turbines. Also, wind speed changes with height, so engineers use anemometers to determine the best height to place the turbine. Wind turbines are machines that convert the moving energy of wind into mechanical/electrical energy for us to use, like a windmill. Where would you locate a wind farm? Anemometers are also important instruments for determining the best locations for wind power generators, or wind turbines, especially since the direction and strength of the wind is very dependent on local terrain. Cup anemometers are sometimes heated so they can work in cold weather. The advantage of non-mechanical anemometers may be that they are less sensitive to icing, so they are able to make measurements in all weather, even winter. All of these non-mechanical anemometers can be much more accurate, but also more expensive than a simple cup anemometer. Engineers have created hot wire anemometers that detect the wind speed through very tiny temperature differences between wires placed in the wind and in the wind shadow. Engineers also design other anemometers that use lasers to detect changes in light waves reflected from the air molecules in wind. For example, anemometers are used to determine the how much airflow is entering or exiting mines, to make certain that miners have adequate ventilation and have enough air to breathe in the underground caves. Well, typically an anemometer is also fitted with a wind vane to indicate the wind direction.Įngineers design anemometers to measure wind speed for many situations other than for weather measurements. It spins in the wind, and shows us the direction from which the wind is coming. This type of anemometer is commonly seen on weather stations and is often used in our weather reports on the news.ĭo you know what a wind vane is? Sometimes it is shaped like a rooster and is located on a barn's roof? It is also called a weather vane. The number of times the cups spin around per minute is counted electronically. A cup anemometer has a vertical pole with three cups that capture the wind. Wind speeds are usually measured using a cup anemometer. How do we measure wind speed? We use a special instrument called an anemometer. Wind over water is sometimes measured in units called knots. Wind over land is sometimes measured in kilometers (or miles) per hour. How can we tell the difference between a windy day and a really windy day? We measure the speed of the wind. Carlson, ITL Program, University of Colorado Boulder Describe why engineers want to know wind speed in determining where to place wind turbines.Ĭopyright © 2005 Denise W.Use an anemometer to predict whether a location is a good place to place a wind turbine.
ANEMOMETER INSTALL
For safety and efficiency, railroads install wind alarms that report route conditions because high wind gusts cause loss of train power and derailments, and even blow over empty freight cars. For weather prediction, data is collected on sea buoys, marine vessels, ports and land. At airports, this real-time data helps pilots.
Copyright © 2012 Jan Barani, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 Įngineers design sensors that collect wind speed and direction for many purposes.
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