Do they ever purposely stop wind turbine towers on wind farms to increase efficiency?

Question

My friends and I saw a small wind farm where we live in upstate New York and someone inquired why all the towers weren't spinning at the same time. One of my friends, who is known for telling the most outlandish stories, said they stop some of them to make the wind farms more effiecient because it prevents one tower from 'stealing' wind from another tower. Common sense, and an engineering degree, tells me this guy is a moron. I also did some searching online and found nothing about increasing efficiency by operating at half capacity. I guess this really isn't a question because I know he's an idiot but if there is anyone who works with these plants to back me up and confirm his stupidity that would be great. Thanks.

Answer 1

Your friend is, indeed, telling an outlandish story.

Most likely some of the generators are off-line because the demand for electricity is low (at that time) -- especially the demand for that particular wind-farm energy. That wind farm sells power to the grid at a certain rate, which is probably slightly higher than the other power plants in the area, so it is probably used as a "buffer" or reserve capacity.

Every time I toured Hoover dam (I lived in Las Vegas for 10 years), never, did I see all of the generators running at one time. The most I ever saw was 40% of capacity. I asked the tour guide why, and they referred me to a plant engineer (who was fortunately standing near by). He told me that the power authority out of Phoenix would place orders the night before based on estimated demand, and the dam operators would setup that generating capacity for the next day (i.e. open sleuce-gates, get turbines spinning and stable, switch on electrical lines, etc.).

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Answer 2

Wind farms turbines have brakes that activate when the wind is too high and may cause damage to critical parts.

Also AC power can not be stored, so generating power in excess of demand will cause wear on the system to generate power will not be utilized.

Answer 3

It's not because its stealing it, and that doesn't really make sense because fans produce somewhat of a backdraft, plus they usually don't line them up one behind the other but stagger them.

But yes they do slow them down during period of high winds to increase efficiency and prevent damage from spinning too fast. Most have built in systems that turn them partially away from high winds just for this purpose.

Answer 4

to cite from the article: "however the researchers mentioned extra analyze have been needed, at different places and for longer classes, earlier any corporation conclusions ought to be drawn." So, carry your horses.

Answer 5

I wouldn't call your friend stupid, he just has a gullible friend..