Maximum Power Coefficient Analysis in Wind Energy Conversion Systems: Questioning, Findings, and New Perspective

For decades, maximum power coefficient limit, known as the Betz limit, has been accepted as a theoretical optimum value for wind turbine power extraction; nevertheless, some reports, exceeding this limit, have already been published. To explain this phenomenon and show a different point of view, a novel theoretical and ideal analysis based on flow conservation law and areas’ quotient is presented, supported by a review of works related to surpassing the power coefficient limit approached from different perspectives.