Final answer:
A wind turbine's power output depends on factors like wind speed and turbine efficiency. Given Buffalo Ridge has an average wind speed of 16 mph, a typical commercial turbine could produce between 1 to 3 MW in optimal conditions, but a precise estimate requires specific details.
Step-by-step explanation:
Without specific details about the size and efficiency of the wind turbine mentioned in the question, it is impossible to provide a direct estimation of the power output in megawatts (MW). However, in general, wind turbines are capable of converting the kinetic energy of wind into electrical energy, and the power output depends on factors such as wind speed, air density, blade length, and the efficiency of the turbine's design.
An average commercial scale wind turbine might generate between 1 and 3 MW of power in optimal conditions. With the given average wind speed of 16 miles per hour (approximately 7.0 m/s), a wind turbine located at Buffalo Ridge could produce a significant amount of electricity considering the elevated wind speeds in this area, which are conducive for wind energy generation.
For example, using the formula P = 0.5 × ρ × A × V^3 × Cp, where P is power, ρ is air density (approximately 1.225 kg/m³ at sea level), A is the swept area of the turbine blades, V is wind speed, and Cp is the coefficient of performance (which can be up to 0.59 for modern turbines), you can estimate that the power production would be quite substantial. However, without more details, a precise calculation cannot be provided.