>
> My formula was Drag = 0.5 x Cd x Rho x A x V^2
>
> Rho = air density = 1.3 kg/M^3
> A = frontal area in metres
> V = velocity i metres/second
> Drag = drag force in Newtons (eg Kg x g ~~= 10 x kg).
> Cd = coefficient of drag = improvement relative to a flat plate.
>


Nice simple formula! We could, of course, apply it backwards and develop
the force on an object due to wind speed, then try to get energy out of
the wind. If we let the "sail" go the same speed as the wind, force drops
to zero, so we get no power (energy per unit time). So, what's the
"maximum power point?" What fraction of wind speed should a sail be moving
to recover the most power?

Harold


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