3. Wind energy potential

Given the need to convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy (wind turbine rotation), the available energy (potential) undergoes a series of cascading losses, right up to the machine output (Betz limit, machine thresholds and conversion losses). This energy degradation is represented schematically in figure 5 .

In fact, only part of the wind power available at a given site, known as usable power, is actually obtained at the end of the process, i.e. at the turbine outlet.