https://electrek.co/2025/08/29/china-installs-the-worlds-most-powerful-wind-turbine/
>26 megawatt
I remember looking at a diagram of turbine efficiency where it basically said they become more efficient as they get bigger. I am wondering though if there is a point where one gets diminishing returns? Like maybe the weight required to make turbine blades strong enough to withstand the pressures of the wind makes them less efficient at some point.
>weight required
I 3dprint experimental, small wind turbines as a hobby and install them on the waterfront (high US wind zone, pretty rough environment). I can tell you that with my models increasing weight really increases their start-up wind speed and also slows their RPM EVEN IF I substantially increase the vane surface area. Some of the loss can be compensated by adding good bearing hubs. I use 608-zz skateboard bearings --cheap!
Cool project! Do you have any data regarding cost and ROI?
No, these are just various models of the whirligig portion that become yard ornaments. None are fitted out for power generation. Size is limited. My printers' max: 250 x 250 x 250 mm.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5411451/files
https://www.printables.com/model/811540-low-friction-high-speed-optical-illusion-windturbi?lang=en
There are a small number of 3dp power-generating models online but those of more of a project than I want to tackle.
Wind Turbine - almost fully 3d printed - easy to make
https://www.printables.com/model/220285-wind-turbine-almost-fully-3d-printed-easy-to-make/files
But anecdotal observations about physical performance do fall very much in line with what you read. HAWTs spin better than VAWTS. Weight matters. Fragile vs robust design. Etc.
>costs
Depending on the type & brand of filament, the 3dp parts of that last 3-blade model would probably take a kilo. I use a quality, cheap, fast (hhh, I beat the pick-two challenge) brand of PETG that is $16/kg (used to be $12 before tariff). Most hobbyists spend $20-24/kg, but even at that, it's still pretty cheap.
ASA would be a better choice due to longer UV & weather resistance, but it is still in the same price range ($18-25) but it is more demanding to print and requires enclosures & ventilation.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DP8G21BJ
>> efficiency
I was trying to run some basic calculations, then I realized that this is 2025 and there is no reason to trouble my little head thinking for myself.
Claude says...
QuoteLarger windmills are generally more efficient for a few key reasons:
Rotor size: The larger the rotor diameter, the more wind energy the windmill can capture. Doubling the rotor diameter increases the swept area (the area covered by the spinning blades) by a factor of four, allowing the windmill to extract more power from the wind.
Wind speed: Wind speed typically increases with height above the ground. Taller windmills can access higher wind speeds, which generate more power. This is because wind power is proportional to the cube of the wind speed.
Economies of scale: Larger turbines have a better power to weight ratio. The blades, nacelle, and tower do not need to scale linearly with the rotor diameter. This means the cost per kilowatt of capacity decreases as the turbine size increases.
Reduced maintenance costs: Larger turbines have fewer individual units for the same total capacity, reducing maintenance and operational costs per kilowatt.
Technological improvements: Advancements in materials, blade designs, and generator technologies have enabled the construction of increasingly larger and more efficient wind turbines over time.
So in summary, the ability to capture more wind energy, access higher wind speeds, and benefit from economies of scale make larger wind turbines more efficient and cost-effective than smaller ones, up to an optimal size based on practical and economic limitations.