Difference between revisions of "Wind turbine"

Latest revision as of 12:48, 27 September 2024

Wind turbines generate a variable amount of power directly proportional to the wind speed.

Acquisition[edit]

Wind turbines can be constructed once the electricity research project has been completed. Each requires 100 Steel, 2 Components, 3,300 ticks (55 secs) of work modified by the construction speed of the builder, and a construction skill of 4.

Once constructed, they cannot be re-installed, they can only be deconstructed.

Summary[edit]

Wind turbines generate a variable amount of power based on the current wind speed, which in turn is based on ranges set by the current Weather. The wattage is directly proportional to the windspeed. They output 2300W at 100% wind speed, and 3450 W at 150% wind speed, the maximum. Note that the "max power output" listed in the infobox claims that 2300W is the maximum under "ideal conditions" - this is incorrect. Wind direction is not a factor, so orientation of the turbines doesn't matter; they will spin equally well in any direction.

Like all generators, each tile of a wind turbine counts as a power conduit. Turbines directly adjacent to each other will connect (see Fig. 1), and appliances within 6 tiles can connect to any tile of a turbine

Exclusion zone[edit]

The wind turbine's exclusion zone (7ˣ18 white rectangle) is visible when the turbine is selected, or when placing the wind turbine blueprint. Any trees, mountains, roofs, and most buildings will reduce the turbine's output by 20% - five obstructed tiles reduce power to 0. The exclusion zone of several turbines may overlap, so long as the turbine building itself isn't in any of the zones.

Low-lying objects like solar generators and shelves can be placed without hindering the turbine's operation, and are an efficient use of space. Growing zones (if not set to trees) or artificial flooring can also be used to prevent wild trees from growing.

The following objects block wind turbines, and are not low-lying:

2 turbines unobstructed. The solar generator does not block the turbines.

Wind speed[edit]

Main article: Weather

Label	Time of year	Temperature range ^[1]	Wind speed	Wind speed modifier
Clear	Any	Any	None to Moderate	100%
Fog	Any	Any	None to Calm	50%
Rain	Any	0 °C – 100 °C (32 °F – 212 °F)	Calm to Moderate	80%
Dry Thunderstorm	Any	Any	Moderate to Extreme	150%
Rainy Thunderstorm	Any	Any	Moderate to Extreme	150%
Foggy rain	Any	Any	None to Calm	150%
Hard snow	Mainly Winter	-270 °C – -0.5 °C (-454 °F – 31.1 °F)	None to Moderate	150%
Soft snow	Mainly Winter	-270 °C – -0.5 °C (-454 °F – 31.1 °F)	None to Moderate	150%
Flashstorm	Any	Any	None to moderate	None

↑ Can continue even if the temperature exits the appropriate range, once started.

Analysis[edit]

Wind turbines are a renewable (i.e, maintenance-free) source of energy, and have the advantage of requiring no research past Electricity. Both wood-fired generators and chemfuel generators will constantly require a source of fuel.

Wind itself is fairly inconsistent in terms of power, but this problem can be mitigated by installing batteries (which require some research). With a battery, wind becomes a somewhat stable energy source, working day and night. An eclipse will completely shut down a solar generator, but no event can entirely stop wind. Only a small subset of other dangers, like fog or rain weather controllers, can reduce it. Note that, even with batteries, the exact power average can be unstable.

Their other main drawback is the space requirement - a need for a large, open area clear of trees, mountains, buildings, roofs and other tall constructions. This makes turbines harder to protect. You can still build a wall just outside of its zone, but supporting multiple turbines quickly becomes a time and space consuming project. The empty space can also be used to house short objects that won't block the wind. One option is solar generators, although this creates a risk of having a large amount of power generated in one space that needs to be properly protected. Solar generators also don't fit fully in the space of turbines, which makes land for trees to sprout and block the wind. Another empty space item is crops. Regardless of height, no crop will block the wind, and pawns will automatically cut trees in growing zones. Crops can however catch fire if a turbine is destroyed, creating the risk of food loss, and they may need to be planted in bad soil to fit with turbine placement.

Watermill generators and geothermal generators offer completely consistent power, but require dedicated research, and can only be built in certain locations.

Tips[edit]

Certain weather conditions offer a positive modifier to wind, like Thunderstorm or Snow. If a weather controller of those types is deployed, then it may be in your interest to preserve them.

Gallery[edit]

Fig. 1

Version history[edit]

0.8.657 - Added
Beta 18 - Width was increased from 5 to 7 tiles wide.
Beta 19 - Power generation was buffed by 15%, from max. 3000W.
Version/1.1.0 - Fix: Wind turbines register no wind during windy storm.
1.3.3101 - Can now be walked through.
1.3.3117 - Path cost 0 -> 50.
1.4.3555 - Fix: Checkbox cutoff on wind turbine's auto-cut settings tab.

Architect

Power: Power conduit (Hidden, Waterproof) • Power switch • Wood-fired generator • Chemfuel powered generator • Wind turbine
(research): Battery • Geothermal generator • Solar generator • Watermill generator • Toxifier generator • Bioferrite generator
(uncraftable): Vanometric power cell • Unstable power cell
Related: Ship reactor • Electroharvester

[1] Can continue even if the temperature exits the appropriate range, once started.

[1]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{infobox main|building|
-|name = Wind turbine
+| name = Wind turbine
-|image = Wind_Power.png
+| image = Wind_Power.png
-|description = A wind-powered electrical generator. Requires a large clear space in front and behind for optimal air flow.
+| description = A wind-powered electrical generator. Requires a large clear space in front and behind for optimal air flow.
-|type = Building
+| type = Building
-|type2 = Power
+| type2 = Power
-|placeable = true
+| placeable = true
-|path cost = 50
+| path cost = 50
-|passability = pass through only
+| passability = pass through only
-|blockswind = true
+| blockswind = true
-|cover = 0.5
+| cover = 0.5
-|minifiable = false
+| minifiable = false
-|size = 7 ˣ 2
+| size = 7 ˣ 2
-|flammability = 0.5
+| flammability = 0.5
-|hp = 150
+| hp = 150
-|beauty = -12
+| beauty = -12
-|power = 2300
+| power = 2300
-|terrain affordance = heavy
+| terrain affordance = heavy
-|research = electricity
+| research = electricity
-|skill 1 = Construction
+| skill 1 = Construction
-|skill 1 level = 4
+| skill 1 level = 4
-|work to make = 3300
+| work to make = 3300
-|resource 1 = Steel
+| resource 1 = Steel
-|resource 1 amount = 100
+| resource 1 amount = 100
-|resource 2 = Component
+| resource 2 = Component
-|resource 2 amount = 2
+| resource 2 amount = 2
 }}
 {{Info|'''Wind turbines''' generate a variable amount of [[power]] directly proportional to the wind speed.}}
-==Acquisition==
+== Acquisition ==
-Wind turbines can be constructed once the [[Research#{{P|Required Research}}|{{P|Required Research}}]] research project has been completed. They require {{Required Resources}}, {{Ticks|{{P|Work To Make}}}} of work, and a [[{{P|Skill 1}}]] skill of {{P|Skill 1 Level}}.
+{{Acquisition}}
 == Summary ==
-Wind turbines generate a variable amount of power base on the current wind speed, which in turn is based on ranges set by the current [[Environment#Weather|Weather]]. It produces a wattage directly proportional to the windspeed. They output 2300W at 100% wind speed, and 3450 W at 150% wind speed, the maximum.  Wind direction is not a factor, so orientation of the turbines doesn't matter; they will spin equally well in any direction.
+{{Stub|section=1|reason=Details on autocutting}}
+Wind turbines generate a variable amount of power based on the current wind speed, which in turn is based on ranges set by the current [[Environment#Weather|Weather]]. The wattage is directly proportional to the windspeed. They output 2300W at 100% wind speed, and 3450 W at 150% wind speed, the maximum. Note that the "max power output" listed in the infobox claims that {{Q|Wind turbine|Power Consumption #}}W is the maximum under "ideal conditions" - this is incorrect. Wind direction is not a factor, so orientation of the turbines doesn't matter; they will spin equally well in any direction.
-Like all generators, each tile of a wind turbine counts as a [[power conduit]]. Colonists can build turbines directly adjacent to each other, and appliances within 6 tiles can connect to any tile of a turbine
+Like all generators, each tile of a wind turbine counts as a [[power conduit]]. Turbines directly adjacent to each other will connect (see Fig. 1), and appliances within 6 tiles can connect to any tile of a turbine
 === Exclusion zone ===
-The wind turbine's exclusion zone (7ˣ18 white rectangle) is visible when the turbine is selected; and when placing the wind turbine blueprint. It is vital to the wind turbine's function to keep the exclusion zone free from trees, mountains, buildings, roofs, and other tall constructions. The turbine's information window (inspection pane) will list any obstructions in its exclusion zone. Each tile that has an obstruction reduces the turbine's output by 20%, meaning that with five obstructed tiles the power outputs drops to 0W. Solar generators or [[Growing zone]] (that are not set to grow [[trees]]) can be placed in the exclusion zone without blocking the turbine. In fact, this setup is an efficient use of space and prevents wild trees from growing in the obstructing the zone. Another option to prevent trees from growing is to construct some type of [[floors|flooring]] there.
+The wind turbine's exclusion zone (7ˣ18 white rectangle) is visible when the turbine is selected, or when placing the wind turbine blueprint. Any trees, mountains, roofs, and most buildings will reduce the turbine's output by 20% - five obstructed tiles reduce power to 0. The exclusion zone of several turbines may overlap, so long as the turbine building itself isn't in any of the zones.
-The exclusion zone of several turbines may overlap. As long as one turbine itself doesn't end up in the exclusion zone of another, they will work optimally.
+Low-lying objects like [[solar generator]]s and [[shelf|shelves]] can be placed without hindering the turbine's operation, and are an efficient use of space. [[Growing zone]]s (if not set to trees) or artificial [[floors|flooring]] can also be used to prevent wild trees from growing.
-Low-lying objects can be placed in the exclusion zone without hindering the turbine's operation. The following objects block wind turbines however:
+The following objects block wind turbines, and are ''not'' low-lying:
+{{#ask:[[Blocks Wind::true]]|format=ul|class=ul-column-width-100|limit=100}}
-{{#ask:[[Blocks Wind::true]]|format=ul|class=ul-column-width-100|limit=100}}
+[[File:Wind_exclusion.png|500px|thumb|center|2 turbines unobstructed. The [[solar generator]] does not block the turbines.]]
 === Wind speed ===
@@ Line 111: / Line 113: @@
 <references/>
-==Analysis==
+== Analysis ==
-Wind turbines are rather inconsistent for power - they might lose power midway through a work bill. However, this problem is mitigated almost entirely by installing [[batteries]]. With batteries, wind becomes a stable energy source, working [[Environment#Daylight timing and latitude|day and night]]. An [[Eclipse]] will completely shut down a [[solar generator]], but no event can entirely stop wind. Only a small subset of other dangers, like fog or rain [[weather controller]]s{{RoyaltyIcon}}, can reduce it. Wind turbines also have the advantage of requiring no [[research]] past Electricity, the only renewable (maintenance-free) energy source available from the start.
+Wind turbines are a renewable (i.e, maintenance-free) source of energy, and have the advantage of requiring no [[research]] past Electricity. Both [[wood-fired generator]]s and [[chemfuel generator]]s will constantly require a source of fuel.
+Wind itself is fairly inconsistent in terms of power, but this problem can be mitigated by installing [[batteries]] (which require some research). With a battery, wind becomes a somewhat stable energy source, working [[Environment#Daylight timing and latitude|day and night]]. An [[eclipse]] will completely shut down a [[solar generator]], but no event can entirely stop wind. Only a small subset of other dangers, like fog or rain [[weather controller]]s{{RoyaltyIcon}}, can reduce it. Note that, even with batteries, the exact power average can be unstable.
-Their main drawback is the space requirement - a need for a large, open area clear of [[trees]], mountains, [[buildings]], [[roof]]s and other tall constructions. This makes turbines harder to protect. You can still build a wall just outside of its zone, but supporting multiple turbines quickly becomes a time and space consuming project.
+Their other main drawback is the space requirement - a need for a large, open area clear of [[trees]], mountains, [[buildings]], [[roof]]s and other tall constructions. This makes turbines harder to protect. You can still build a wall just outside of its zone, but supporting multiple turbines quickly becomes a time and space consuming project. The empty space can also be used to house short objects that won't block the wind. One option is solar generators, although this creates a risk of having a large amount of power generated in one space that needs to be properly protected. Solar generators also don't fit fully in the space of turbines, which makes land for trees to sprout and block the wind. Another empty space item is crops. Regardless of height, no crop will block the wind, and pawns will automatically cut trees in growing zones. Crops can however catch fire if a turbine is destroyed, creating the risk of food loss, and they may need to be planted in [[Plants#Fertility|bad soil]] to fit with turbine placement.
 [[Watermill generator]]s and [[geothermal generator]]s offer completely consistent power, but require dedicated research, and can only be built in certain locations.
 === Tips ===
-# Colonists can construct [[floor]]ing over [[Environment#Terrain|terrains]] with <30% [[Fertility]] in order to prevent [[plants]] from growing. Non-flammable floors will also help against wildfires.
 #Certain [[weather]] conditions offer a positive modifier to wind, like Thunderstorm or Snow. If a [[weather controller]] of those types is deployed, then it may be in your interest to preserve them.
@@ Line 129: / Line 132: @@
 == Version history ==
-*[[Version/0.8.657|0.8.657]] - Added
+* [[Version/0.8.657|0.8.657]] - Added
-*Beta 18 - width was increased from 5 to 7 tiles wide.
+* Beta 18 - Width was increased from 5 to 7 tiles wide.
-*Beta 19 - power generation was buffed by 15%, from max. 3000W.
+* Beta 19 - Power generation was buffed by 15%, from max. 3000W.
-* [[Version/1.3.3101|1.3.3101]] - can now be walked through.
+* [[Version/1.1.0]] - Fix: Wind turbines register no wind during windy storm.
+* [[Version/1.3.3101|1.3.3101]] - Can now be walked through.
 * [[Version/1.3.3117|1.3.3117]] - Path cost 0 -> 50.
+* [[Version/1.4.3555|1.4.3555]] - Fix: Checkbox cutoff on wind turbine's auto-cut settings tab.
 {{nav|power|wide}}
 [[Category:Power]]