Wind Turbine Generators » Wind Turbines

DIY Small Home Wind Turbine Generators – Researching the Right Site Location and the Right Tower

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:32:25 +0000

Are you getting frustrated with rising energy costs? Have you been thinking about building a small residential wind turbine? You're not the only one. Given the increased price of conventional power sources, many people are considering the benefits of making their own wind generator or turbine. Before embarking on this venture however, there are a few things you should educate yourself about. Determining how a home turbine works, what you'll need to build one, and where to get those items from ahead of time will save you money, time and frustration. It is important to make sure you understand the basics of a home wind power generating system long before you get started. Familiarizing yourself with the individual components that make up a home wind power system will decrease the likelihood that you will lose time and money to problems that could easily have been avoided by doing your homework ahead of time. One of the first and most important things to consider is where you're going to build your turbine. Of course you need to have the room on your property, and in addition you need to determine the most optimal spot in terms of being able to capture the largest amount of wind power. Typically this will involve being far enough away from any obstacles that could block wind flow to the turbine. Another important aspect of locating a site for your wind generator is that the location must meet the local zoning requirements of your town or municipality. You don't want to skip checking on zoning rules and end up making a mistake that will cost you money and time. So first, contact your local or state zoning agency and then within those confines determine the optimal site in terms of wind and the features of your available property. The next thing to consider is the tower that will support your wind turbine. The tower needs to be tall enough to place your turbine in wind that is strong enough to generate sufficient power and the higher you go, the more power you'll generate. However the higher you go, the stronger your tower will need to be and the greater the cost will be. Remember you want your wind turbine to remain standing even in the face of hurricane force winds. Another reason to limit the height of your tower is that as you go higher the increase in wind power won't pay off for the increased cost of your tower. The tower can end up being the most expensive part as it the biggest. Thus you can see that it makes good sense do your homework ahead of time. This is true whether you build your own and purchase a tower. Keep in mind that if you build your own, there may be liability issues so consider this drawback and weigh it against any extra cost of simply buying a manufactured tower. Getting started on building your own wind turbine system can seem daunting but with proper preparation you can avoid running into trouble by addressing issues such as those discussed above before you begin.

D.R. Smith has been involved with alternative energy for over 20 years. For more information visit his site to learn about wind turbine blades, wind turbine motors, and DIY Wind Turbine and Solar Panel Plans
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Wind Turbines, Clean Energy for a Cleaner Environment

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:58:21 +0000

One of the main reasons for using wind turbines is that natural resources are not everlasting and every one under this sky should think on how to protect the environment for the generations to come. Learning how to avoid pollution can result in a more healthy society. When it comes to look after the environment, everyone should begin from himself by trying to keep the air and water pure, clean and healthy. So instead of using electricity to make wind, we can use wind turbines to make electricity. Generating electricity from wind sources is extremely cleaner than generating it by using fuel. No pollution, no dangerous waste that kills fragile organisms, nothing deadly whatsoever.

Wind turbines are those rotating things that produce energy when blown by wind,The wind turns the blades, which roll a shaft joined to a generator that gives electricity. The most familiar types used today are the horizontal axis turbines; they are significantly more efficient and are able to produce fairly large amounts of energy in comparison to other types of renewable power. Horizontal axis turbines need to be pointed directly at the wind.

There are various sizes and power ratings of wind turbines. the best location for wind farms is on ridges, hill-tops , near the beach, and even being set up in areas of unused farmland that are almost without trees, where they can catch the wind . Small wind turbines can also be useful on boats, the movement of the ship will gather enough breeze to let the blades turn even when winds are low, making them an extremely dependable source. By using wind power to generate electricity, you can reduce air and water pollution and ease global warming. Wind energy produces no emanations, needs no fuel and the cost of the electricity produced is fixed over time.

Wind turbines do not make annoyance. The development of wind farm technology over the past was linked to high levels of mechanical noise, but newly developed wind turbines operate quietly. They are now becoming popular for small and large applications.

Armand Hadife is the owner of www.outdoor-solar-lights.com www.home-solar-systems.com www.wind-power-generator.com
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Wind Turbines–Build A Wind Turbine For Free Power

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:15:58 +0000

Wind turbines are the best answer to the high and rising cost of energy. Electricity created from wind power is the best answer to one of today's most serious problems--the high cost of fossil fuels.
There are other ideas which may help of course. Solar power is clean but,at the present time, solar panels are quite high priced and have limited power output. Their best use is probably as an addition to wind power production. They can be used as roof panels on a building and will supply additional power.
Nuclear power is another source and this form of power is being used in many places around the globe. The cost to build nuclear power plants is very high however and there is a lot of public opposition to their use after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl disasters.
Nuclear power stations will probably be a large part of future power supply around the world. If well built with all necessary safeguards they have been shown to be dependable and safe.
Wind power is at present the best all around power source for small scale power generation. Small individually owned wind power turbines can supply a large portion of our power requirements in the years immediately ahead.
Many companies are now offering wind turbine generators for sale to the general public. They are being installed by town and country property owners in ever growing numbers.
An alternative is to build a wind turbine,from available plans,at a very big cost saving. Any home owner or farmer in city or country may use this type of low cost power and be completely independent of the local power utility.
It is not even necessary to have high winds all the time. Even gentle breezes will generate some power. This power can be stored in batteries for future use.
A very good wind turbine power generator can be built using new or used auto parts. It may be installed on a roof or on its own tower. The construction of a turbine from available plans and instructions is really quite simple. The average person who can use simple tools will have no trouble in building one or more of these wind generators.
Excess power which is produced can be sold to the local power utility in many places. This type of wind turbine or windmill was much used on farms in the 1930-1950s era and was proven to be reliable. Two or three of them can be built to supply all the power needed and this can be stored in batteries till needed for use. Build it and the wind will come-- and bring free power along with it for your use.

Would you like to know more about wind turbines and how to build one? Like to save money and get free power? For free info and resources see my website at:
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Uninterrupted Power From Wind Turbines !

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:53:15 +0000

Are there any back up techniques?

Wind Turbine systems are available in several designs according to the way they store surplus power generated. For example:

Grid Connected Off Grid Stand alone Hybrid System etc.

Incidentally the applications of each of the above types will depend on the;

Availability of the National Power Grid within an economically viable distance. Ability to sell back surplus power to the National Grid. Buy-back price of unit energy uploaded Whether a reasonable and consistent wind flow is available at the site through out. Availability of a stand-by battery bank of adequate capacity and maintenance of it.

Of these the Grid connected and Stand Alone systems possess the ability to provide continuous power supply to the end user. A hybrid system will possess the same capability subject to it works as a stand alone system.

Stand Alone Small Wind Turbines

Stand Alone systems are Wind Turbines not connected to the Grid Supply but uses a battery bank to store surplus energy generated when the optimum wind velocity is available. The Electrical Energy stored in the battery bank will supplement the power needs of the home as Direct Current (generally below 5 kw) or in the case of higher capacity generators (generally above 5 kw, as Alternating Current.

In the case of the low capacity DC generators the surplus power generated will be directly stored in the battery bank. If the appliances and the power distribution of the home is AC oriented an inverter will be used to convert the power to AC prior to feeding the home distribution.

If the Wind Turbine is generally over 5 kw the electrical energy generated will be alternating current and cannot be stored in the Battery Bank direct. The inverter in this instance will be converting AC to DC for this purpose after stepping down the voltage from 230V (415V if it is 3 phase) to 12 V DC (nominal) generally and stored in the Sealed Lead Acid Battery bank. The inverter will convert the stored energy to AC again when the home demand dictates so.

Hybrid Wind Turbine Systems

A hybrid system will be similar in general to the above stand alone system but will incorporate Solar Powered PV Panel arrays (or diesel Generator Sets) to supplement the wind generated power in situations where the wind velocities decrease due to climatic or geological reasons during the year. The PV panel arrays have purpose designed inverters. Controls for matching the two systems are too necessary. Therefore one must be careful as to what he has to order additionally. Professional assistance in all these cases is therefore strongly advised.

Storage Battery Banks

The battery bank will require quite a few safety devices (such as over charge cut-out, Over current and voltage regulators etc) and controls which are generally solid state. The battery bank is located in a well ventilated (preferably air conditioned) room which is isolated from living areas. (This is because they release corrosive fumes and also pose an explosion hazard to some extent).

Adequate space for regular maintenance is a must. The batteries are of the deep cycle type (regular charging and discharging up to 80% of it's capacity is possible). Automotive batteries (shallow Cycle type) are not suited for this application.

Grid Connected Small Wind Turbines

A grid connected Wind Turbine Power System does not need such a huge array of additional components. It requires only an inverter to make the generated electricity supply compatible with the grid supply along with the necessary power cabling and controls. When the wind generated power is not adequate all it has to do is to draw the additional demand from the power grid. A kwh meter is of course required whether you want to buy the short supply or sell the excess production to the utility.

The cost of power cabling and installation may be high if the distance it has to be drawn is far. As you see it is possible to obtain a consistent power supply from small wind turbines. Under proper guidance these could be made very cost effective too.

Wind turbines are not capable of providing uninterrupted steady power by themselves simply because the wind velocities incident on them fluctuate widely.

Small Wind Turbines are good for power generation as long as the wind velocities 4.5m/s upwards is available. What if wind velocities drop below 4.5 m/s or rise above 16 m/s?

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology
realated subjects. For more information about John visit his website
www.techstore.ie.
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All About The Swift Wind Turbine

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:39:35 +0000

After having much success installing over 250 home wind turbines in Scotland, Cascading Engineering is bringing the Swift wind turbine to America and Canada.

The company that specializes in plastics, partnered with Swift's Scottish designer, Renewable Devices, to install the revolutionary small wind turbine in the U.S. households.

What sets the Swift apart from other small wind turbines is the reduced noise it produces. In addition, the turbine can be attached to rooftops instead of towers. With it's five blades and "outer diffuser" ring, the company claims vibration is reduced, resulting in only 35 decibels of noise.

With the turbine's seven foot diameter and two fins to help it face the wind, it can rotate 360 degrees and it automatically shuts down in very strong winds. All the elements of its unique design allow the Swift to generate up to 1.5 kW of power in 14 mile per hour winds. This equates to approximately 2000 kilowatt hours per year, which is about a quarter of the electricity consumed by a typical U.S. household.

At a cool $10 000 to be installed, this turbine does not come cheap. However, the upfront cost is significantly lower when state tax credits of $1000 for households, and $4000 for businesses is taken into account.

According to Jessica Lehti, Cascade's senior product marketing manager, this Michigan-based plastics company has already installed 9 Swift turbines in America, and still has at least 25 orders to go.

With a customer base split between residential consumers and businesses, the company is in high hopes that it can sell the Swift to anyone with economic or environmental purposes in mind - even while the economy is in turmoil.

But we disagree with Cascade - not anyone is going to fork out $10 000 just so they can help the environment. Furthermore, the electricity savings realized by households will only cover their investment after 12 years!

Unless people have the money, we are not sure why anyone would want to waste $10 000, when they could easily make their own small wind turbine at home. Although it would be less efficient than commercial ones, if you built enough of them, you could easily make 2000kW hours of power per year.

In fact, many people all over the U.S are making their own power systems at home, and they are showing others how to do it with step-by-step instruction manuals. We have a list of these manuals in our reviews section if you feel the need to make your own energy at home.

To conclude, as much as we like the commercial Swift wind turbine, it is not affordable enough for average households to install. So, until technology and prices improve, we are better off making our own renewable energy solutions at home.

Tim McDonald and his wife have been living off the grid since June 2008. He recommends you Try Earth4Energy For FREE before you go out and start any home solar power project.
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Description of Home Wind Turbine Technology

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:56:51 +0000

I am sure that many of you might not be knowing about the Home wind turbine technology. However, the wind turbine technology is making a new wave nowadays due to its' numerous advantages and implications. Companies are constantly working on new technology in Wind Turbine. Wind turbine energy comes second only to natural gas as a source of new electricity generation in the United States.If you live in a heavily developed area, then it is recommended that you use your home wind turbine just to reduce your energy bill and carbon footprint a little - it is unlikely that you'll have access to enough wind to do much more than that. It's highly recommended that you only invest in one of the smaller roof-top wind turbines if you live in one of these areas. How will home wind turbines affect your finances? Well, this will of course depend on how much electricity your wind turbine is turning out, how much you're paying for it, and how much you pay on your electricity bill to start with. If you do not have a large electric bill to start with, then you should be able to save quite a bit of money, since you'll also be able to sell back energy to the grid on high-wind days, and make that money back from the electric company.The elevated home wind turbines will come with a tower that is between 80 and 120 feet tall towers. The towers help the wind turbine get access to stronger winds that are not broken up by structures and/or trees on the ground. It is unlikely that this will be enough to fully take over the power consumption of your home, so it is only a good idea if you're looking to reduce your carbon footprint by using less coal-powered energy.A number of states have been producing wind resource maps and collecting data which could be used by farmers to determine the potential for wind power generation on their land. Home wind turbines are increasingly being used today and have a great potential in future!

To read more about Celebrity Gossips visit Celebrity Gossips Learn more about Cool News
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How Do Wind Turbines Work? – Very Easy Process

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:50:21 +0000

With high electricity bills and concerns for the environment, many people look for alternative sources of energy. One of the most popular and easy to install is a wind generator. But how do wind turbines work? The process is quite simple, really, and looks a lot like the old grain windmills with, of course, a lot of technology advances added over the years. The basic process on how wind turbines work goes like this:

the wind blowing moves the blades the blades turning move a rotational shaft the energy produced goes to a generator to turn it into electricity the DC electricity is then stored in batteries a cable drives it to a DC/AC inverter so you can use it for your AC appliances

As you can see, it's an easy process, which is a reason why so many people have had no difficulty in building their own wind generators with a basic understanding on how do wind turbines work. Nevertheless, before starting on your wind generator project, here is some information you might find useful. First, keep in mind that it is a good thing to verify different locations where you're planning to install your wind turbine(s). Checking the strength of the wind and its direction will allow you to find the best and most efficient location for you. Also, it might be beneficial to get this information at different heights, as the wind blows usually stronger on higher grounds. It's pretty easy to adjust the size of the pole holding the wind turbine to fit what suits you best.

Keep in mind that, depending on where you live, the Government might allow grants or some type of tax benefits to people building alternative sources of energy. Making some research on the subject might enable you to build your wind turbines at a fraction of the cost and is well worth the effort of looking for information on the subject. Oh, and look for the information yourself; don't rely only on a friend or neighbor telling you about it, as he might have been misinformed.

Finally, know that a basic knowledge on how do wind turbines work is almost all you need to get started. And the good news is that many DIY kits are available, explaining you in detail how to proceed to build your own wind turbine, making the project easier to do than ever.

A word of caution, however: not all guides are created equal. In order to save you time and money, it's a good idea to check some reviews made by professionals and consumers alike. It'll make the experience much more agreeable, knowing you've chosen the best guide available. So get started today, and you'll find yourself looking forward receiving your electricity bill with a broad smile!

Building your own wind turbine for your home is very easy. There are a lot of manuals available that you can download and for your convenience we have reviewed the top three. See which one is the best at EasyGreenEnergy.info
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Wind Turbines for Homes – True Facts

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 03:39:29 +0000

Even if it's true that getting energy from the local power company's grid is easier than building one of those wind turbines for homes, the benefit comes when you don't have to pay for a big electric bill, while also becoming more energy independent. With the power driven by wind turbines for homes you can enjoy the advantages of all the modern electrically driven lifestyle without even thinking about the monetary consequences. I dare to say that, if you build yourself one of those wind turbines for homes, using one the best guides available, you could get disconected completely from the grid. Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily—but the cost of building wind turbines for homes to get energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and researching technologies to make them ever more efficient. In addition, people are moving away from the traditional power grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to "go primitive", political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment. This motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers. In many parts of the world, homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind turbines for homes are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from governments that end up paying for as much as 50% of their total "green" energy systems' costs. There is a lot of energy that we can harness if we only seek to research and develop the technologies needed to do so. We can get away from the old electrical grid by using wind turbines for homes as an alternative energy source.

Enrique is an active environmentalist who has dedicated a lot of time to help people save energy, use recycled materials, learn to make use of natural cleaning products, etc... while protecting the environment.
He created a DIY Renewable Energy Guide review site with three of the top downloadable ebooks on the subject. You can see them here: Reviews.EasyGreenEnergy.info
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Wind Turbine Types – How To Trap Wind Energy For Productive Use

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:07:59 +0000

Wind power is conversion of energy from the wind to be used productively in many ways. There are many machines, wind turbines, which transform the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy by converting it. The mechanical energy then works with the kinetic energy so that it becomes balanced into a mechanical system. Once this mechanical energy is turned into electricity this system is then known as a wind turbine.
Horizontal Axis and Vertical Axis are the two different types of wind turbines that can be found. The Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine is the more popular of the two and features a main rotor shaft and a generator which are located at the top of the turbine. There is a gearbox attached to most of these turbines, so that more electricity can be generated by the quicker turning of the blades. The turbine are tall towers with blades which create turbulence for power, and turn either upwards or downwards. In high winds, upward blades can crack and breakdown as they are not able to withstand these conditions for too long. Downward blades are in line and face the wind so they last longer. They are even durable against the high winds so do not break which helps to keep down the cost.
The Different Types of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
Windmills - They usually consist of four or more blades that are normally short. There are some that are made up of wood and were first used to grind up grain. Winds rotate the mechanism of the blades which turned a mill that the grains ran through so that it was crushed.
Rural Windmills - These originated from Australia and were later built all over the U.S.A. Farmers found these windmills useful in pumping water into the fields and electricity for the barns. There are several blades on this type of windmill, which are still in use today and can be seen in the fields. So that electricity could be carried for lighting or even a radio, they were constructed using metal.
Modern Turbines - These are used today and what we see standing in our fields. The features are of three blades which become pointed towards the ends. The reasons for this unusual shape is after trials and testing, they proved to be the strongest for exceeding up to 6 times more wind velocity, which allowed for high efficiency and was more reliable.
This sort of wind turbine has many advantages including being bendable, durable, it has stability, is strong and also tall. On the other end, the disadvantages are that they are not as in huge demand, they are unable to operate if they are too close to the ground, installing them is a difficult job as well as transporting them by sea. There are also concerns that they can affect radar, and they can suffer from strutual damage during high storms and with wear and tear.
So as you can see, there are good and bad points to buying and installing these types of turbines. They do work so whether you choose to have one or several if you own a field is up to you. They are good to help generate electricity and many other things that we would might well have to do without.

Abhishek is an avid Environmentalist and he has got some great Alternative Fuel Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 70 Pages Ebook, "Energy Conservation And Alternative Fuel" from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/643/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
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How to Build a Wind Turbine

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:26:56 +0000

With society slowly moving towards a cleaner and greener planet, alternative energy is being pushed more and more into the spotlight. Wind power currently comes in second only to natural gas as a renewable source of energy. Last year there was over 1700 megawatts of power product by wind turbines. This year it wind power is expected to account for about 1.5% of the US power needs. Commercial wind farms will account for most of this energy however residential wind turbines are becoming more and more popular and are slowly helping to reduce harmful emissions which tend to pollute our atmosphere; this is why more people want to know how to build a wind turbine. Wind power is a very clean source of energy, especially when compared to fossil fuel energy which is the main stay in today's world. Usually the only objection to wind turbines is their so called "visual pollution" and sometimes even the noise that they create. This however is not the case with residential wind turbines. Today's wind turbines are very compact thanks to technology and they can contribute quite considerably to the overall household energy consumption which in turn saves you money. In fact if you combine it with a solar power unit you could quite easily power your average sized home. While there are household commercial units available, with the advent of the internet there are a number of guides that can easily show you how to build a wind turbine and often at a cost of less than $200. Some people think that if you are planning on installing a wind turbine at your home that you have to be in an open area so you can get a maximum amount of wind hitting your turbine, this however is not the case as even the smallest amount of breeze can be enough to generate so electricity which will be stored in the battery units. The amount of energy that you can produce is a combination of wind flow and design. Obviously the more wind that the wind turbine is exposed to, the more energy that it can generate and the more energy that can be stored in its batteries. However the traditional windmill design that most people are familiar with isn't the only design. Roof top mounted wind turbines are comparably small units which do not use the traditional tower as these turbines are designed to be used in relatively sheltered or built up areas where there is not a good wind flow. If you live out in the country, these units can be fantastic for you especially if you are prone to having power outages and don't like to use your gasoline generator. The great thing about learning how to build a wind turbine is that you can make more than one turbine for your home which of course means that you will generate more power for your home which in turn means that you will save more money by cutting your power costs.

If you would like to find out more on How to Build a Wind Turbine then visit us at http://www.howtobuildawindturbine.net where you can find our free video reviews on 3 of the top Wind Turbine guides available on the internet showing you how to build wind turbines for less than $200. Are these guides and their Wind Turbine Designs worth the investment? Simply visit us to find out more.
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Use Wind Turbines – Save Money And Stop Paying Electricity Bills

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:04:58 +0000

What would you do if you could get the electric company to give you money? Well, there are ways to make the electric company and ways that you never have to pay them again. Wind energy is the fastest growing means of alternative energy in the world. Since 2000, the electricity output from wind energy has more than quadrupled. The reason wind energy is popular is because it is clean, efficient, renewable and readily available. Wind turbines have been popping up all over the world. It isn't just homeowners or regular people trying to find alternative energy, but countries and large organizations. There is a demand and people are turning to wind power as a way to meet the alternative energy needs.
Wind power is an interesting idea. There are people who have been installing wind turbines and then taking themselves "off the grid." This means they disconnect themselves from the electric company and never deal with them again. No bills, no notes, no phone calls. Nothing.
This sounds like a great idea, but it requires installing wind turbines, which can be costly. However, there are ways to make some money back. In the United States, there are many states that offer tax breaks by using alternative energy. You will save money if you qualify and you will make your money back faster. There are also some states that allow homeowners to sell the extra energy back. These are "net metering laws." When using the wind turbine, the electricity meter will actually spin backwards. Net metering laws allow homeowners and businesses to be billed only for their net energy consumption as opposed to all of the energy they used.
Net metering helps because customers get full value of the electricity they use. People who use wind turbines might need to use the power company still because wind is intermittent. Over 40 states offer some type of net metering law. Residents should take advantage of these. They can get more information by going to http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/resources/maps/netmetering_map.shtml or contacting the Dept. of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
As more people begin using wind turbines and the technology progresses, the cost of getting and installing wind turbines is decreasing. This is good news for anyone looking to use wind turbines. Now, there are other avenues to pursue when looking for alternative energy.
Worldwide, wind energy only accounts for 1 percent of the electricity use. However, there are countries that have taken a bigger role in using wind as a viable solution to meeting alternative energy needs. Denmark uses wind turbines for 19 percent of its electricity productions, Spain and Portugal use nine percent and Germany and Ireland use six percent.
Wind turbines also help the environment. Over the course of the wind turbine's lifetime, a residential turbine would be equivalent to planting two trees with the amount of carbon dioxide that would be saved. There are many reasons to get on the wind power bandwagon. They are all worth it. If money is the only thing holding you back, consider all the rebates and benefits you can get from owning a wind turbine. You will make your money back in a few years.

Wind Turbines–build yourself a Free Power Supply

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:45:47 +0000

Wind turbines are the answer to today's high cost of energy. Totally independent from the price of oil,gas or coal,electricity created from wind power is the best answer to one of today's most pressing problems--the high cost of fossil fuels. There are other solutions which can help of course. Solar power is a good example but,at the present time, solar panels are still very expensive and have limited power output. Their best use is as an adjunct to wind power. They can be used in the form of roof panels on a building to supply additional power.
Nuclear power is another obvious answer and this form of power is being developed in various places around the world. The initial cost of nuclear power plants is very high however and there is much opposition to their use after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents. Properly built and supervised nuclear power stations will probably be a large part of future power supply around the world.
Wind power is presently the most promising power source for small scale power generation. Individually owned wind power generators can supply a substantial portion of our power requirements in the years immediately ahead. Wind turbine generators are now manufactured by a number of companies and are in use by rural and city dwellers on an increasing basis. Another alternative is to build your own wind turbine at a very substantial saving. It is possible for any farmer or home owner, whether located in city or country,to access this free form of electric power and so become completely independent of the power utility.It is not necessary to have continuous high winds. Power is generated by even the gentlest of breezes.
A very good wind turbine can be constructed using used or new auto parts. Installation can be on a building's roof or on it's own freestanding tower. It is actually quite simple to construct a wind turbine from available plans and instructions.The average person with a little home workshop experience can build one or several of these turbines quite easily. The power utility in many areas will now buy any excess power which you generate. This type of wind turbine has been proven to be extremely relisble and was used widely on farms in the period from 1930-1950s. Two or three of them can be built to supply as much power as needed and the power can be stored in batteries ready for use. Build a wind turbine and the wind will find it and bring you free power.Like to know more about wind turbines and how to build one? Like to save a lot of money and have a reliable power source? For more information and resources check this out http://www.greenwindpowerturbine.com
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Home Wind Turbines – Cut Your Energy Bill

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:31:58 +0000

Energy costs keep sky rocketing with no end in sight. Pollution levels are increasing and our planet is facing a warming trend that could have devastating results. So the question is what can the average citizen do to save money and help the environment at the same time? One great way to help is to lower the amount of electricity your home purchases from the utility company by creating your own power. There are a few ways to do this, and wind power is one of the easiest and more reliable ways to produce energy at your home.

What is a Wind Turbine?

A wind turbine is a simple machine that collects kinetic energy produced by wind currents and converts this energy into power that can be used in the home. Wind turbines are installed on high towers; these towers are usually around eighty to one hundred and twenty feet high. Towers must be high enough to allow the turbine to be above any turbulence generated by objects on the ground. The higher the altitude also results in higher wind speed and in turn, a higher amount of energy can be produced.

How do Wind Turbines Work?

Wind energy is used to create mechanical energy. Turbines have blades that are turned by the wind; these blades turn a shaft to which they are connected. The shaft is then connected to a generator; the mechanical energy is transferred into the generator through the shaft and converts the mechanical energy into electricity. This electricity can then be used in the home for any electrical need. Homes that are using wind turbines to produce power are still hooked up to the power grid. Being hooked up to the power grid allows the home to still have power when wind currents aren't strong enough to produce electricity. Another benefit of continuing to be connected to the power grid is that at the times your wind turbine is producing more power than your home can use, the utility company is absorbing the extra energy and paying you for it. This can lead to very low electric bills. A wind turbine can lower your power bill by 50-80% depending on the amount of wind in your area.

Types of Wind Turbines

There are two main types of turbines: horizontal- axis turbines and vertical-axis turbines. Turbines also come in different sizes as well. Utility companies use wind turbines that can range in size from 100 kilowatts up to several megawatts. These larger turbines are found in groups on wind farms. If you ever drive over the Temecula pass in California, you can see large wind farms along the highway. It is a spectacular site. Small turbines, 100 kilowatts or less, are used at homes. These are place on towers on the homeowner's property and then used to provide some of the energy needed to run the home. Since the size of the tower is quite large, they are usually used in areas where the home is on one acre or more. There are very small turbines on very small towers that may be able to be of use in urban areas or on smaller lots.

The Future of the Wind Turbine

In September of 2008, the U.S. Senate passed a bill that grants a one-year extension of the renewable energy production tax credit. If passed by the U.S. House of Representatives the tax credit would be available until December 2009. Wind power is a viable part of the solution to lessen our dependency on fossil fuels. Wind power is a renewable resource and produces no harmful pollutants. The future looks bright for wind power and hopefully, as a result, there will be a bright future for our planet too.

Detlef runs Wind Power Savings, where you can learn more about saving energy in your home.
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Using a Residential Wind Turbine System

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:31:41 +0000

Using a residential wind turbine seems like a good way to start with a greener way of living and you can save some money at the same time. But is a residential wind turbine suitable for everyone? Well to be honest no, there are some cases where it is really not a good investment to buy a residential wind turbine, sometimes it is just plain impractical to place such a device especially in a urban setting. Residential Wind Turbine When you place a residential wind turbine, for example a Skystream 3.7, to supply electricity, your home will probably rely on your wind turbine and the electricity company. When wind speeds are low the residential wind turbine system will not generate enough power and electricity will be supplied by the electricity company. When there is a higher wind speed, your wind turbine will generate more electricity. Sometimes the residential wind turbine will even generate more electricity than your house needs, when this is the case, the excess electricity is sold to the electricity company. With the right equipment this is done automatically. Is my home suitable for a residential wind turbine? In many urban settings the best kind of conditions will have at least an acre of land around it. Or at least free space, because a wind turbine can also be placed on the roof of a building. The condition of the wind around your house will also be of influence if a wind energy system will be of benefit in your situation. The wind need to be higher than 10 mph if you want to get a significant output from a wind turbine like the Skystream 3.7. But there are residential wind turbines these days that can be placed on the roof of your house so that may be a possibility. When your house is suitable for a residential wind turbine then you can expect to see lower electricity bills. With the Skystream 3.7 for example you can lower your electric bill by as much as 80% if your house has the right wind conditions. Yes this means that you can expect to see a much lower electricity bill, but you will have to invest in a residential wind turbine first. Is buying a wind turbine a good choice? A residential wind turbine is made to last you for 20 to 30 years, this means it will be paid back in the long run. Yes you have initial costs when you buy and place your residential wind turbine. But there are many benefits: - Its is a clean energy source - it is a renewable energy source - it is great for the environment - it will safe you money in the long run The best thing you can do if you are interested in a residential wind turbine system is to inform yourself about your options. Search and learn before you buy. And installing these systems may look simple but getting at least some technical advice before hand is a thing you should keep in mind.

At her website Unlike Normal Energy, Cathy Patterson, wil provide you with all kinds of helpful information about alternative sources of energy like, for example, the Skystream 3.7 wind turbine.
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7 Types of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine – Benefits Available!

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:51:37 +0000

You may already be familiar with wind turbines, but did you that are actually two types: Vertical and Horizontal. They each perform differnt functions, and both have their advantages and disadvantages. To decide which one is the best for you, look at your needs. Both share the same common factor as they produce energy by using the wind, except that they do it differently. The main rotor shaft in a Vertical Axis Turbine runs vertically rather than horizontally, hence the name. There are of course advantages and disadvantages for it being in this direction. One of the best advantages is that the gearbox can be placed at the bottom of the turbine, which is not possible in a horizontal turbine, so the top of the tower does not carry all the weight.
Another advantage of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines is that it does not have to face in the wind's direction. The disadvantage is that it produces smaller amounts of energy than a horizontal turbine, and if the turbine is running in the same direction that the wind is blowing you can get pulsating torques through each turn of the turbine.
Types of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
1. The newest type of turbine out at the moment is a windmill which has a rotation sail. When it is in operation the sails look like those you find on a ship, that expand or contract according to the change of winds. Each has three sails where the speed is controlled by a magnetic counter which expands or contracts the sails as needed. To minimise the damage to the sails there is a control unit for this purpose. The sails can tear during a large storm but the frame is very durable.
2. There are aerodynamic turbines with blades just like a plane made of airfoil base in order to capture the wind's energy. They are so designed to catch this artificial current of kinetic energy to the centre. A very effective wind turbine it runs at full capacity most of the time to utilise all the wind energy by redirecting and lifting it upwards to the turbines there. It not only responds to the wind but also free flowing water systems such as creeks, rivers, streams and oceans.
3. Darrieus Wind Turbines are known to be efficient but they are big machines for their shape and size. Because a lot of cyclic stress that is put on the tower it does tend to wear out sooner. It consists of three blades which are shaped like loops which connect to the top and bottom of the axle, and often called the "eggbeater windmill" because that is what it resembles. They are connected from the ground upwards by large external structures which hold it up.
4. The Giromill consists of three vertical blades and was based on the patent of the Darrieus design. It is very low on maintenance as it self starting. The blades of strong, light material which are more robust to cope with the stresses placed upon them. They require less blade speed to channel energy with each turn of the blades as they are very high performing.
5. Savonius Wind Turbine mills usually consist of two scoops which convert windpower into torque on a rotating shaft. There also some which are self starting and feature three scoops. They are quite similar looking to helicopter blades except they are bent in a certain style and shape to provide enough energy to be of use.
6. The blades of Windstar Turbines are straight and made of aluminium. They are attached to either end of a central rotating shaft. There are a number of rotors with their own unique dual braking system of pneumatic disc brakes and blade pitch. Windstar Turbines were designed for locations with stronger winds.
7. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines have many advantages as the running costs are low and they are easier to maintain. They can almost withstand any type of low or high wind. They are smaller which means they can be transported easier. The disadvantages are that producing efficient energy from winds takes twice as much time. The turbines have to be installed on flat land and some models require guide wires, which adds more stress to the bottom of the tower; and they have a low starting torque. A consumer has to look at a design that is suitable for them by deciding on the best one for their needs.

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