Betz limit

The Betz limit is a fundamental principle in wind energy that defines the maximum efficiency of a wind turbine. It states that no turbine can capture more than 59.3% of the kinetic energy in the wind. This limit arises because a turbine must allow some wind to pass through it to maintain airflow and generate lift. Essentially, if a turbine captured all the wind’s energy, it would stop the flow entirely. Understanding this limit helps engineers design more effective wind turbines and optimize energy production from wind resources.