Knowledge Is Power
Everything You Need to Know About Wind Power
Renewable energy has come a long way in a relatively short time.
But there are still many questions about the cost effectiveness and
feasibility of investing in renewable energy sources such as solar
or wind power, especially on an individual level.
Solar power has led the renewable energy pack for years.
In terms of long-term reliability, solar power generation has
the best odds of meeting global energy needs.http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/coal-boomtowns-fade-as-china-declares-war-on-pollution/ However, as far
as current global production rates go, wind-generated power
often runs neck and neck with its sunny counterpart.
New designs and technology are driving diversity in the wind power
sector at a rapid pace. If we’re really looking to create energy
security from a natural resource, the answer may literally be blowing in the wind.
Worldwide Wind Power Generation
Although solar power could be considered the face of renewable
power generation, wind is the go-to choice for many countries.
In fact, global energy generated from wind farms has increased
tremendously in just the last two years. According to the
Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), 51,477 megawatts (MG)
of wind capacity was installed globally in 2014, a 44 percent
increase over previous years.
This is an exciting time for renewable energy generation, and not just at a
top-tier level. Demand for alternative energy sources is driving the sector
toward the mainstream. In fact, solar and wind power are now less expensive than coal or natural gas power in some international markets, including the
United States.http://inhabitat.com/solar-and-wind-energy-are-finally-cheaper-than-fossil-fuels-in-the-united-states/
According to the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA),
China is the world’s largest producer of wind power, with
approximately 114,763 MG of installed wind capacity.http://www.wwindea.org/webimages/WWEA_half_year_report_2014.pdf This is
significant, considering that conventional power generation methods are
unlikely to fulfil the country’s future energy needs.
In the U.S., the Wind Program was initiated almost 10 years ago to
collaborate with industry experts who wanted to “increase the performance
and reliability of next-generation wind technologies while lowering the
cost of wind energy.” This program is essential to developing new technologies
that improve turbine performance on a large scale.
Downsizing Wind Power
So how does wind power extend to the local level?
Scotland produced 982,842 megawatts of wind power in
late 2014 and generates 126 percent of the country’s
household energy needs. Sunny Spain is also looking for
innovative ways to provide local communities with cost-effective
renewable energy systems. For example, the Iberian Peninsula has
plans to install the world’s first public streetlight system that
works with both solar- and wind-generated power. Additionally there
are efforts to create more compact and aesthetically pleasing wind
turbines for local communities.
Wind Tree Turbine
French engineers invented the silent Wind Tree Turbine. The turbine’s
inverted blades enable the units to turn in the wind, generating power
silently in the process. The quiet “trees” do not obstruct the landscape
as much as conventional turbines, which makes them a viable option for
urban areas like local gardens, parks, and community areas.
Aerial Kite
Another exciting development in wind turbine design is the aerial kite.
A company called Makani invented the Energy Kite, which is designed to
generate more energy with roughly 90 percent less material than most wind
turbines. The Energy Kite is not only a renewable source of energy, but also
more sustainable to manufacture.
Using the same principles as the conventional wind turbine,
the Energy Kite replaces heavy steel components with lightweight
features and advanced materials such as lightweight carbon fiber.
Essentially, rotor blades launch and lift the kite from a ground
station until it reaches 800 feet above ground. At this height,
the wind is stronger and more consistent, which allows the rotors
mounted on the kite’s wings to drive the generators and produce energy.
The energy is carried back to the grid through a conductive tether that
connects the kite to the ground station. Advanced software uses GPS and
sensors to calculate the kite’s movements in various weather conditions.
Airborne Turbine
Building on the idea of kite floating turbines, the airborne turbine is
currently the latest in wind power generation. Similar to the computer-controlled
kite, these helium-filled turbines float 1,000 to 2,000 feet up in the air, where
they catch air currents that are an estimated five to eight times more powerful
than ground wind.
Alaska recently made news when it launched the world’s first airborne
turbine, the BAT-Buoyant Airborne Turbine, designed and built by MIT
startup Altaeros Energies. A similar multi-winged, kite-like structure
developed by Joby Energy Inc. floats 2,000 feet high, generating power
that transfers through a tether to a ground station and into the local grid.http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/airborne-wind-turbines/
What Can Wind Do for You?
Wind power is not a new concept. For more than two millennia, wind-powered
machines have helped communities around the world grind grain, pump water,
and tackle other laborious tasks.
Despite occasional dips, energy costs continue to rise. With wind turbines
now available on a much more affordable, small-scale level, savvy homeowners
can generate their own wind energy.
Unfortunately, the stigma of clunky, noisy wind turbines puts off many
people who want to generate their own energy. However, there are some
impressive and functional turbine models that aim to power homes and local
businesses. Small, bird-friendly wind turbines can be both aesthetically pleasing
and highly productive. In fact, modern wind turbines can produce an estimated
15 times more electricity than the typical turbine did in 1990.
What to Look for in a Personal Wind Turbine
If you’re serious about installing a wind turbine, the process can be as easy
as visiting Home Depot. (The home improvement store started selling personal
wind turbines in select states in 2011.) No matter where you buy your wind
turbine, there are some important factors to consider.
Return on Investment
First and foremost, the installation of a wind turbine is not
inexpensive. The cost of a wind power system strong enough to power
an entire home can run anywhere from $10,000 to $70,000, depending
on the system’s size and height as well as installation and maintenance
costs. Tiny off-grid turbines, which produce less than 1 kilowatt of
energy per hour, can cost as little as $4,000.http://www.energywise.govt.nz/your-home/generating-your-own-energy/wind Some models claim to
generate up to 400 kilowatt hours of clean electricity per month,
which means long-term savings, as well as the ability to sell surplus
energy back to the local grid.
Tax rebates are another incentive: homeowners may qualify for a rebate
on a turbine purchase with local, state, and federal incentives. The
Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit offers a 30 percent federal tax
credit for small wind-energy properties. Be sure to research the potential
return period on the initial investment before making a large up-front investment.
According to the Wind Energy Foundation, the payback period depends on the
turbine as well as the quality of wind on-site, electricity rates, and state
and federal taxes. These factors vary by location, but a homeowner can expect
to fully recover up-front costs in 6 to 30 years.
Power and Aesthetics
A typical American home requires a small turbine that generates between
2 kilowatts and 10 kilowatts of wind power. A small turbine with at least a
5-kilowatt capacity would have a diameter of approximately 18 feet.
Although designs have come a long way over the last 10 or even 20 years,
a massive three-pronged tower can still steer people away from wind turbines
despite the benefits. Unlike solar panels, which lie flat on rooftops, wind
turbines are almost impossible to hide because they depend on height to be
productive. Even a small turbine measures at least 80 feet tall – almost twice
the height of a standard telephone pole. Blades can be anywhere from 30 to 140
feet across. Although the height of a wind turbine affects its productivity, the
generator size and height are not related. A simple 5-kilowatt turbine could be
between 30 and 140 feet high.
Land and Wind Requirements
Before installing a turbine, check local zoning codes. Typically,
local codes can include a minimum lot size requirement or may have other
rules such as a minimum distance requirement from a property line.
Unfortunately, local code restrictions are often a large hurdle for
personalized wind power generation and are mostly likely the reason
why less than 1 percent of small wind turbines are found in urban settings.http://www.awea.org/Issues/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=4638&navItemNumber=727
Of course, we can’t put all of the blame on local bureaucracy. Besides
meeting local code requirements, wind access is another challenging factor.
Regardless of size or kilowatt production, all wind turbines need unobstructed
access to winds – something quite difficult to find in densely built communities.
Although there may be a few hurdles to overcome, all is not lost.
Many turbine manufacturers are well versed in local permitting processes
and are often willing to help customers on their journey to energy independence.
The Latest in Personal Wind Turbines
As usual in technology of all kinds, innovative design often follows
mass demand. Although there are quite a few obstacles accompanying personal
wind power generation, new options continue to enter the market. Innovative
companies and start-ups are designing and producing efficient, aesthetically
pleasing turbines for individual use.
The Eolic is a
portable turbine mounted on a telescopic pole, which is a great option for urban
dwellers. Although the Eolic isn’t on the market yet, the tiny carbon fiber and
aluminum turbine has captured a lot of attention for its small, powerful design.
Another recent addition to the personalized wind turbine market is LIAM,
a compact turbine with an output that averages between 300 and 2,500 kilowatts,
depending on wind speed and roof height. Of course, the cost is probably the
only element higher than its height requirement. At approximately $5,452, the
mini wind turbine isn’t as wallet-friendly as it is eco-friendly.
Then there is the small but mighty Rose Wind Turbine, a tiny portable
device that is compact enough to fit into the trunk of the car. This rose-shaped
device is extremely quiet, which makes it a great choice for expeditions like
camping trips, backyard barbeques, and beach outings.
Conclusion
The turbine market is a magnet for increasingly efficient designs and avant-garde
concepts, many geared to the individual homeowner looking to become energy independent.
The primary downside is cost, which is unfortunately still on megawatt levels for most.
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