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RETScreen® Wind Energy Project Model
Equipment Data
As part of the RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software, the Equipment Data
worksheet is used to specify the wind equipment for the project. The results of this worksheet are
transferred to the Energy Model worksheet. The user should return to the Energy Model
worksheet after completing the Equipment Data worksheet.
Wind Turbine Characteristics
The wind turbine characteristics are detailed below.
Wind turbine rated power
The user enters the wind turbine rated power (kW). The rated power is a performance
characteristic of a particular wind turbine and is provided by the manufacturer of the equipment.
This capacity is reached at the rated wind speed. The user can consult the RETScreen Online
Product Database for more information.
Hub height
The user enters the hub height (m). The hub height is the height at which the centre of the rotor of
an horizontal axis wind turbine is mounted. Whenever possible, increasing the hub height should
be considered to improve the project's energy output.
Typical hub heights of turbines range from 6 to 100 m. Tower heights have increased during the
past few years as the technology is becoming more mature. The user can consult the RETScreen
Online Product Database for more information. Note that only metric units are shown as these
are the units utilised by the international wind energy industry.
Rotor diameter
The user enters the rotor diameter (m), which is the diameter of the circle formed by the rotation
of the blades. This information is given for reference purposes only.
The rotor diameter of the turbines commercially available typically range from 7 to 80 m or more.
The user can consult the RETScreen Online Product Database for more information.
Swept area
The user enters the swept area (m²), which is the area perpendicular to the wind direction that a
rotor will cover during one complete rotation. The power and energy output of a wind turbine is
strongly related to the swept area of its rotor.
The swept area of turbines can range from 35 to 5,027 m² or more. The user can consult the
RETScreen Online Product Database for more information.
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