Wind turbine

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

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. 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.

Like all generators, each tile of a wind turbine counts as a power conduit. Colonists can build turbines directly adjacent to each other (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, 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 isn't in it.

Low-lying objects like solar generators can be placed without hindering the turbine's operation. Growing zones (if not set to trees) or artifical flooring can also be used to prevent wild trees from growing. In fact, this setup is an efficient use of space that prevents wild trees from growing in the obstructing the zone.

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

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 °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

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 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. Wind turbines also have the advantage of requiring no research past Electricity, the only renewable (maintenance-free) energy source available from the start.

Their 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.

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

Tips

Colonists can construct flooring over 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.

Gallery

Fig. 1

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]