This statement is taken from a wind energy site (http://www.reuk.co.uk/Wind-Turbine-Water-Heating.htm):
Direct Wind Turbine Water Heating
“It is not usually possible to connect a 12 Volt water heating element directly to the output from a wind turbine. The voltages generated by a 12 Volt wind turbine are typically far in excess of their nominal 12 Volt rating – values of over 50 Volts can often be recorded in heavy winds which would rapidly burn out the heating element…”
Some figures:
Wind alternator rating: 12 volts, 200 amps @ 6,500 rpm
Heating element rating: 5,000-6,500 watts (Incoloy material)
As the figures above show, the power output of the wind turbine is well within the operating parameters of the heating element. Since the heating element can withstand the power output of the alternator (assuming it runs at a constant 6,500 rpm), in practice, will it be OK to do so? If more than two heating elements are used, will that translate to better safety and reliability?
Tnx!
