The effect of aerofoil characteristics on windmill performance

The present energy situation has caused engineers to look more closely at methods of energy recovery which have previously received only limited attention due to the availability of cheap and plentiful fossil fuels. One of these methods is the use of an airscrew, or windmill, to convert wind energy into mechanical energy. There are a number of disadvantages in the utilisation of wind energy: the power available is relatively low for the size of plant involved and the supply is intermittent, but on the other hand the energy is free and available in most areas. The economic feasibility of using windmills on a scale large enough to supply the national grid system is debatable, but there is certainly a demand for small units suitable for the individual domestic consumer.