Practice Test Geeks(REP) Certified Renewable Energy Professional Practice Test
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Wind Power Technologies Flashcards

7 cards from real REP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Wind Power Technologies flashcards as text

  1. What is the 'cut-in wind speed' of a wind turbine?

    Answer: The minimum wind speed at which the turbine begins generating electricity

    Cut-in wind speed (typically 3–4 m/s) is the minimum wind speed at which a turbine's rotor produces enough torque to generate net positive electrical output.

  2. Which atmospheric layer is most relevant to wind turbine operation and resource assessment?

    Answer: Atmospheric boundary layer

    The atmospheric boundary layer (lowest ~1–2 km of the atmosphere) is where wind turbines operate and where surface friction, thermal gradients, and turbulence most affect wind resources.

  3. What does a turbine's 'power curve' depict?

    Answer: Power output as a function of wind speed

    A turbine's power curve is a graph showing electrical power output (kW or MW) at each wind speed from cut-in through rated to cut-out conditions.

  4. Why are wind turbine blades twisted along their length?

    Answer: To account for varying relative wind angles from root to tip due to rotational speed

    Blade twist compensates for the fact that tip sections move much faster than root sections, ensuring each blade section encounters wind at an optimal angle of attack.

  5. What is 'curtailment' in the context of wind power generation?

    Answer: Deliberate reduction of turbine output below available capacity

    Curtailment is the intentional reduction of a wind farm's output, typically ordered by grid operators when generation exceeds transmission capacity or grid demand.

  6. Which material is predominantly used in modern large-scale wind turbine blades?

    Answer: Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)

    Glass fiber reinforced polymer (fiberglass) composites are the dominant blade material due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, fatigue resistance, and cost-effectiveness.

  7. What is the significance of a wind turbine's hub height in energy production?

    Answer: Greater hub height accesses higher, more consistent wind speeds due to wind shear

    Wind speed generally increases with height due to wind shear (reduced surface friction), so taller towers capture faster, more consistent winds and produce more energy.