The wind-rotor is the part of the Strand Wind Turbine that rotates and produces energy.

The wind-rotors are made from aerofoil sections like those of an aeroplane wing.

A central panel between the wings, referred to as the turtle-back, directs the wind toward the wings, turning the wind-rotor in slight winds.

Visible inside the wind-rotor is a central inner-tube.

The picture on the left shows the wind-rotors with the central turtle-backs removed.

A central pole referred to as the axis has the electrical generator bolted to the top. The picture on the left shows the axis in pink and the generator is mauve.

The axis and generator are inserted into the wind-rotor assembly and the generator is bolted to the inner-tube. In this way, when the wind rotor turns, it also turns the generator.

The wind-rotor will start to turn in a light breeze of about 7 kilometres per hour (4 knots).

Maximum RPM is reached in winds of 50 kilometres per hour (27 knots).

The wind-rotor has a distinctinve shape that creates an aerodynamic braking effect. This means that winds stronger than 50 kilometres per hour will not increase the wind-rotor speed beyond its maximum of 90 RPM.

The wind-rotor is rated to produce power in winds up to 230 kilometres per hour, the central wind speeds of a Category 2 cyclone.

The wind-rotor is designed for maintenance-free operation for fifteen years.

Empowering the Wind Energy

Measuring Power output from the wind turbine

All wind turbines have a defined power curve. The graph on the left shows the power output of the wind-rotor in relation to the wind speed.

A fundamental physical law underpinning wind power and all wind turbines, is that the energy available from the wind, rises in proportion to the cube of the wind speed.

This means that in light winds, the wind turbine makes only a small amount of power. However, as the wind speed increases, the power output rises considerably.

For example, doubling wind speed results in producing eight times the power output.

The location of the Strand wind turbine was chosen to maximise its interpretative value. Therefore, the wind-rotor would actually produce more energy in other locations around Townsville.

The table above shows the power curve for the Ropatec wind turbine, measuring wind speed in metres per second. Metres per second (m/s) is the international unit for the measurement of wind speed.

The conversion box below allows you to convert between different speeds, from kilometres per hour to knots to metres per second and miles per hour.

Simply input the number you want to convert from in the box above then press the "Convert" button. E.g. to convert 100 km / h to knots, metres per second and miles per hour enter 100 in the km/h box and press "Convert". Press "Clear" to wipe all values.

With wind data and a power curve, it is possible to calculate the power output for a wind turbine on a given location.