Wind speed does not increase turbine power in a straight line across all conditions. Instead, turbine power follows a power curve: output starts at the cut-in wind speed, rises quickly through the operating range, levels off at the rated wind speed, and then stops at very high. In real systems, wind speed affects energy output through operating thresholds, rotor aerodynamics, air density, and turbine control settings. This means a small change in wind conditions can cause a large change in power generation, especially near cut-in and rated speeds. Wind power is variable, so it needs energy storage or other dispatchable generation energy sources to attain a reliable supply of electricity. Wind turbines are an increasingly important source of intermittent renewable energy, and are used in many countries to lower. etic energy extraction.
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