Articles in the Micro Wind Generator Category
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Wind Generator on 9 March 2010
Residential Wind Generator is wind turbine designed to be install in homes. A wind turbine functions by harnessing the power of the wind, into mechanical energy and then converting it into useful electrical energy. Most modern home turbines do not require batteries and is directly attached to the house’ power grid. It cuts down electricity bills by about 50%-90% depending on wind speed, turbine output and many other factors. In typical home turbines, the required wind speed is not below 7-10 mph; going below will not produce output electricity. Typical residential wind generators are installed on towers and relatively large, making it unpractical for confined areas in urban and suburban areas. And windy areas are most practical for installation.
A typical American home uses over 9,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) per year (around 700 kWh per month). Depending on wind speed, the recommended rating of a wind turbine is in the range of 5 to 15 kilowatts to make an effective contribution to meet the demand. Most home turbine systems require less or no maintenance at all and can run up to 20 years depending on weather conditions. Most modern turbine system does not require any modification on the wiring system of the house. Price ranges from $6,000 to $20,000 or more depending on output and product and can be pre-installed by the manufacturer for an extra price, this also provides better after sales support; however one can self install the turbine system for a cheaper option provide you have knowledge on installation of residential wind generators.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Wind Generator on 19 February 2010
Wind Generators for home use are installed to help reduce electricity bill. Savings may reach 50%-90% depending on location and model. It is common to home wind generator owners with homes powered by electricity to gain monthly bills of utterly $9-$16 or even less for 9 months. In areas of the United States that has less use of air-conditioning; bills can be less annually. The money saved from wind turbine use can vary on location, wind speeds, amount of electricity used, and the wind generator itself.
Homes in the United States approximately use more than 9,000 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity annually (more than 780 kilowatt-hour per month). Relying upon median wind speed of the vicinity, a wind turbine classified at the range of 6-16 kilowatts would be needed to make compelling benefaction to meet the demand.
Most wind generators for home use are around $6,000-$22,000 installed depending on size, energy production, and service agreements with the manufacturer. The wind system will usually bring investment back through utility savings within 6 to 15 years depending on several factors, and after that the electricity it provides will be free. In long term cases, a wind home generator is a good investment because a well-sited wind system increases value, similar to other home improvement and land. Most wind system buyers are in preparation for retirement because electricity rates can be unpredictable in years to come. Most manufacturers offer with assisted installations or self-install of the wind system. However the self-install is cheaper provide you have knowledge on proper installation.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Solar Panel, Vertical Wind Generator, Wind Generator, Wind Turbine on 6 February 2010
Vertical Axis Wind Generator or Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is a type of wind turbine that has its rotor shaft position vertically. VAWTs do not need for towers because of this arrangement; generator and gear box are placed near ground level, which is more accessible for maintenance. VAWTs can also utilize wind from any directions. Drawbacks of VAWTs are some design produce pulsating pulse, affects reliability. Wind speeds are more slower at near ground level, so less energy is available to be harnessed by the turbine. Air flow near ground level and other objects can produce turbulent flow, which creates vibration, noise, and bearing wear which lowers reliability of the turbine. However when mounted on top of buildings, this can double the speed as the building redirects wind over the roof.
VAWT advantages:
- A large tower is less generally needed, VAWTs has mounted near ground level and roof tops.
- Models without yaw apparatus are plausible with secured pitch rotor concepts.
- VAWTs are located near ground level, which is more accessible for maintenance.
- VAWTs have lesser startup wind speeds. They can start generating electrical energy at around 6 mp/h (or 10 km/hr)
- VAWTs can be erected at locations where taller structures are not allowed.
- VAWTs tend to create lower noise.
VAWT disadvantages:
- VAWT are less efficient compared to the other type of wind turbine, because of further drag that is created when the blades rotate.
- VAWTs uses guy-wire to secure it, this places strain on the base bearing because the entire mass is on the bearing.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Vertical Wind Generator, Wind Generator, Wind Turbine on 31 January 2010
Due to declining natural resources such as fuel, people resort to alternative renewable energy resources. Wind power is one of the cleanest and most efficient alternative energy resources. Wind generators for residencial use are available commercially. They vary in size, model, price and output. All wind generators operates on the principle of using the kinetic energy of the wind, converting to mechanical energy and converting it to useful electrical energy.
Wind generators can save up to 50%-90% on electrical bill depending on several factors such as wind speed and generation output. Homes in United States use about 9,400 kilowatts-hour (kWh) of electricity per year. Depending on average wind speed in the area, a suitable wind turbine would be rated at the range of 5 to 15 kilowatts in order to make enough contribution to meet up the demand.
In buying a wind generator for home use, location is important; not suitable in urban and suburban area, an open area is required; wind generator is relatively a large device and a tower is needed. Also electricity price should be at least 10 cents/kWh. Wind speed is also important, recommended wind speed should not be below 7 to 15 mph.
Price range for wind generator is around $6,000 to $20,000 or more depending on model, size, output and service agreement by the manufacturer. Self installation is cheaper than manufacturer based installation providing you have knowledge on wind generator installation, however manufacturer installed are more hassle free and comes with support after the installation.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Wind Generator on 19 January 2010
Wind generator blades are found on wind generators. They are responsible for harnessing the power of the wind. Connected to the motor, they can produce electricity. Wind generator blades are usually 3 blades ranging in size up to about 45 meters, depends on usage and model (smaller blades are used in residential while large blades are used in wind farms). The blades are made of different laminated materials; composites, wood, carbon fiber, metal, fiber glass, and PVC. Different materials have their own advantages; fiber glass has the highest strength-to-weight ratio compared to other material however it is expensive, while PVC and wood are cheaper and are preferred for homemade blades but quality may be compromised. Also different materials are preferred for different usage (home, industrial, farm). The blades molded into airfoils; to maximize the wind’s lift. Most commercial blades are protected against elements and lightning.
Generally, wind generator blades are designed to be wider at the base and narrower at the tips, since area swept by the inner portion of blade is relatively small. Different blades have different pitch and twist; more pitch will result into improved start-up and efficiency while less pitch is better at high performance. The blades twist affect the angle of the blade in which the wind will hit; common home made designs are even twist at 10 degrees at the root and 5 degrees in the tip. Blade balance is also important to prevent vibration; this is easily done on a two rotor blade than the three rotor one.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Wind Generator on 13 January 2010
Home Wind Generator is a mechanical device that generates electricity from wind source. Home Wind Generator consist of a wind turbine that is mounted on a tower, connected to an electrical generator and can be attached to a battery or directly to the house power grid. Most modern Home Wind Generator does not need batteries and directly connected to the power grid. Home Wind Generator can typically reduce home electric consumption by 50%-90% and operates at not below wind speed of 7-10mph.
Home Wind Generators in the United States are installed in 47 out of 50 states, however the majority are installed in the Northeast and the Midwest Area. Residential wind generators are typically a large device and should not be installed in urban and suburban areas except for compact wind generators. When properly installed residential wind generators produce almost no noise or none at all and may not require maintenance. Most modern wind home generators will not require modification of house wiring. They are designed to last for up to 20 years depending on wind condition and operate automatically. The wind system can usually recoup its investments through energy savings within 6 to 15 years. Federal Regulation (Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 or PURPA) requires the system to connect with and buy power from small (less than 80 MW) wind energy system.
Home Wind Generators are becoming popular due to environmental concerns and energy concerns. They can produce clean and free energy while reducing the need of power from commercial sources.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Wind Generator on 7 December 2009
Power is a necessity for all of us, not a choice. But we still have a choice as to how we should receive that power and how it will be used. There are several ways to provide power into a generator that is reliable, economical and environmentally helpful and safe.
When it comes to producing power there are factors that should be considered. In the case of a wind power generator, it is superior over other types of generator because electricity is produced through wind energy and this does not generate any bi-product, which is usually a pollutant. In addition, there is no need to purchase or maintain fuel. The only thing needed is wind energy to move the turbine.
Wind power generators are excellent for sail boats, cabins or camping in remote areas. This is because it is possible of producing tremendous energy or power. If you intend to charge some batteries or power on tools or other small appliances, then you do not need a wind power generator.
Usually farms as well as electrical facilities in rural areas make use of wind power generators due to the abundant supply of strong, wind energy. However, for urban areas, there are more factors to be considered before buying or purchasing your own power generator. Factors such as the state or government laws or rules of your housing association should be thought of as well including the noise that may be produced when you have a power generator. Regardless of the factors, there are benefits that go with having a wind power generator but this will depend from person to person.
Posted in Micro Wind Generator, Vertical Wind Generator, Wind Generator on 12 November 2009
Wind Powered Generators is a rotating machine that is able to convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy and then is converted to electrical energy. The first wind powered generator in the United States was erected in Cleveland with the assistance of Charles F. Brush (1888). By the World War I period, American windmill creators were producing around more than one hundred thousand windmills for farms each year, commonly for H2O siphoning.
Wind Powered Turbines must be installed in places with high constant wind speeds. With a wind commodity judgment, total quantity of power produced from the wind turbine can be properly assessed. A yardstick is occasionally used to establish the prime place is referred as Wind Power Density. Its calculation is derived relating to the practical potential of wind at a precise place, occasionally asserted in expressions of height above ground level over a measure of time, and accounts wind speed and wind mass.
There are several criticisms of Wind Powered Generators. Wind power is generally considered as intermittent power source. The energy production may decrease or increase over a short period of time without warning. High quality wind areas are mostly inhospitable to people, logistics and transmission of power can create problems to installations. Wind turbines affect local wild life to a smaller extent. Less than 10,000 birds are killed by wind turbines. It also pose hazards to bats, however is less likely threatening than house glass or house cats in terms of magnitude and gravity of danger. Wind power generators have much more favorable life cycle imparts than other conventional energy generation technology.