Final answer:
The limiting tail wind component is concerned with the maximum energy that can be extracted by a wind turbine, set at 59% by the Betz limit. This ensures that wind turbines operate within the realms of fluid dynamics and energy efficiency without stopping airflow. The Glauert limit also affects turbine performance at low wind speeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The limiting tail wind component refers to the maximum amount of kinetic energy that can be extracted from the wind by a wind turbine without stopping the air mass and causing diverted airflow. The Betz limit theoretically sets this maximum at 59% of the available wind power.
When 59% of the kinetic energy is extracted from a moving lump of air, the remaining speed of the air is a fraction of its original speed. This is due to the conservation of energy and momentum within the fluid dynamics governing wind turbines. For efficient energy conversion, the turbine designs also consider factors such as rotor speed, tip speed ratio, and air drag, in accordance with design limits and efficiency curves outlined in research such as the Glauert limit.
When specifically calculating the residual speed of air after extracting 59% of its kinetic energy, one would have to use the principles of physics to determine the resultant velocity as a fraction of the initial speed. This calculation is essential for optimizing the design and operation of wind turbines to align with the physical limitations imposed by fluid dynamics and energy conversion efficiency.