Assuming smaller propellers would spin even in very low wind, whereas a large propeller would stall;
Would it be efficient to use a bunch of propellers from axial fans geared to a single motor instead of a single large propeller?
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The power output of a wind turbine is proportional to the square of the blade length $L$ (specifically, the "swept area" enclosed by the tips, which will be $\pi L^2$). A single, large turbine is more efficient because it has fewer moving parts than several smaller ones. If you added up the friction from every bearing and gear in all of the smaller turbines, it would be greater than the equivalent from one large turbine. Thus, for almost any given situation a single large turbine is preferable to multiple smaller ones. As an added bonus, a large turbine will have to be higher above the ground where wind speed is generally higher; capturing even more energy. |
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