Wind turbine

Wind turbines produces a variable amount of power up to 3450W, based on the current wind speed (for wind conditions see Weather).

Advantages

It works day and night, compared to a solar generator which only works during the day.

Disadvantages

Needs a large open area clear of trees, mountains, buildings, roofs and other tall constructions.

Wind turbines complemented by batteries can provide a stable supply of power since there wind-related disasters are exceptionally rare, unlike the solar generator's Eclipse event, and are limited to subsets of other dangers such as Weather Controllers.

Acquisition

Wind turbines can be constructed once the Electricity research project has been completed. They require 100 Steel, 2 Components, 3,300 ticks (55 secs) of work, and a Construction skill of 4.

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 Weather. It produces a wattage directly proportional to the windspeed, with an output 2300W at 100% wind speed up to a maximum of 3450W at the maximum 150% windspeed. Wind direction is not a factor, so orientation of the turbines doesn't matter; they will spin equally well in any direction.

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%. Solar generators or farming plots (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 flooring there.

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 can be placed in the exclusion zone without hindering the turbine's operation. These include (but not limit to) the following:

Wind speed

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 - 100°C	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 to -0.5°C	None to Moderate	150%
Soft snow	Mainly Winter	-270 to -0.5°C	None to Moderate	150%
Flashstorm	Any	Any	None to moderate	100%

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

Tips

Colonist can build wind turbines without gaps between them this may save resources on power conduits.

Version history

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.
1.3.3101 - can now be walked through.
1.3.3117 - Path cost 0 -> 50.

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]