Can Wind Power ever compete with Nuclear Power?
To answer this question, we will identify the current technologies used in both energy markets, and then compare the power capacity numbers, land utilization (Megawatts per acre), and installation dollars associated with both.
*NOTE: When comparing the two technologies we are only evaluating power outcomes. Factors such as environmental impact, risk assessment to the public, and others are not part of this post.*
NUCLEAR POWER is basically a steam engine process. Nuclear energy heats water converting it into steam, then the steam drives a steam turbine/generator. Nuclear power is a baseline electrical source, meaning it provides power 24/7. However, it does not respond quickly to load changes on the grid. Therefore, supplemental power is required.
In the late 1960s, Westinghouse and GE commercialized a nuclear power plant with a capacity of 1,000 Megawatt. To achieve this goal the plant required 1.3 sq. miles or 800 acres of land, not including the water area for cooling.
So, the land utilization = 1,000 Megawatts divided by 800 Acres which nets 1.25 MW per acre.
WIND POWER is currently supplied by Wind Turbines. In 1987, wind power took a leap when NASA (Boeing) developed a 3.2 Megawatt Wind Turbine. Fast forward to 2009, wind farms came into vogue. Cliff Etheredge, a cotton farmer, spearheaded the first large wind farm in Roscoe, Texas. The Roscoe Wind Farm consists of 634 (1 MW) Wind Turbines. As of 2019, there are approximately 54,000 Wind Turbines in the USA and 350,000 worldwide.
Wind Turbines need 50 acres per Megawatt for wind force to recover before striking the next Turbine. Therefore the land utilization equals one Megawatt divided by 50 acres, netting 0.02MW (20 Kilowatts) per acre.
The land utilization remains constant, independent of the Turbine’s Megawatt rating. The bigger the Turbine the more land required. SEE OUR UPCOMING BLOG “Is Bigger Better?” for a deeper understanding.
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE for wind power to compete with nuclear power? Instead of one rotor area, what if wind turbines had 8 rotor areas with 8 generators?
If this design were possible, then the numbers would grow to 8 times the amount of power. That would be 16 MW over 100 acers increasing the MW per acre from .02 MW to .16 MW. A land usage improvement for sure, but not that of Nuclear’s 1.25 MW per acre.
Now consider an additional advancement; instead of requiring 100 acres (space to recover the wind force) per wind turbine; what if it only required 10 acres? That equals 10 x .16 MW, netting a 1.6 MW per acre. That’s a 28% increase over Nuclear Power.
Unfortunately, this design is not possible due to the torque forces, wind spacing requirement, and mechanical limitations.
A LEAP INTO THE FUTURE
Welcome to 3D Wind Power
3D Wind Power makes it possible to compete with Nuclear Power by applying the basic concepts from “WHAT WOULD IT TAKE”… of more rotors, generators and a reduced wind recovery area. 3D Wind Technology has several focus points to improve Wind Turbines, among these, are:
- An expanded wind power curve greater than 30 mph.
- Increased bracing to accommodate large Megawatt outputs.
- Increased Turbine Rotor area from (1) to multiple rotor areas.
- Reduced wind recovery from 50 acres per Megawatt to self recovering (zero acres).
- Ease of transport, installation, service, and maintenance.
3D electrical output, at 40 mph winds, is projected at 16 Megawatts on 10 acres. This produces a land utilization of 1.6 Megawatts per acre.
Land Utilization and Cost of Installation
Apart from not being a (24/7) electrical source, 3D Wind Power can out produce a Nuclear Power plant on an equivalent area of land. The cost of achieving 1,000 Megawatts is where 3D Wind Power separates itself from nuclear. Making 3D Wind Power a novel concept in wind harvesting; developed by GSharpLabs.
There is a clear path for a 3D Windmill to become a (24/7) electrical power source, even when the wind is not blowing.
