File:Idealised Wind Turbine Power Curve.svg

English: For a specific turbine model, wind turbine manufacturers provide a dataset of rated power output (watts/kilowatts/megawatts) vs. wind-speed (m/s). These datasets typically follow the general shape of this image.

"Wind speed" refers to an undisturbed wind velocity measured at a suitable distance upstream from the blades.

The cut-in wind speed is the wind speed at which the turbine begins producing power. The rated power is the maximum power the turbine may output. The rated wind speed is where the turbine first outputs its rated power, and the cut-out wind speed is where this output power instantaneously drops from the rated power to zero watts.

The values chosen here, and the shape of the curve between the cut-in and rated wind speeds are not specific to any particular turbine model; in reality, these would be specific to the turbine model.

The Idealised Wind Turbine Power Curve "assumes a smooth laminar flow of a high degree of homogeneity and symmetry". Methods exist to predict real-world performance, such as using a Power Deviation Matrix in conjunction with the Power Curve, a method devised by the Power Curve Working Group.

Additionally, this diagram assumes that the power generated is limited to the rated power between the rated and cut-out wind speeds, which is typical.