Wind Turbines

[Ric.ror]

Wouldn't it be better to have lots of small turbines rather than one large one?

[EDDIE51]

No it would cost very near the same to make a turbine that was say 1/4 of the size as to make a full size one, plus bigger is more efficient .

[Ric.ror]

I was thinking it would be better to put lots of small ones on one pole that would capture motion with smaller gusts
Almost like the ones children buy at the seaside

[EDDIE51]

I can't see a small turbine such as you describe generating sufficient torque to turn a generator. There are sound mechanical / engineering reasons for wind turbines being the size they are.

[Grandpappy]

I think it makes sense to have lots of small generators. Mass production would bring the prices down and if one broke down it wouldn't knock out the whole system. They could also be adjusted and configured for different functions and anyway production could be handled by robots and transportation could be staggered and less polluting to the planet!

[Ric.ror]

Thanks for your answers
Sorry Eddie but as Grandpappy agrees with me I'm giving him best answer

[DTCwordfan]

Small generators would be highly capital intensive relative to their output, never mind their eco-cost of building them, running and maintaining them and eventually destroying them. (a bit like running diesel generators versus n-gas ones, as several developing countries have chosen to do).

Wind turbines only become efficient at the top end of >1MwH , ideally pushing over 2....and hence, with the wind distribution, this is why they are largely sited offshore or up the west coast of the country - and then allowing for the cost of electricity transport into the demand sinks.....so, unfortunately, your BA recipient is largely gassing wind out of his proverbial jacksie.