Articles in the 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 Wind Generator on 22 February 2010
Used Wind Generators are generally 2nd hand or re-used wind generator. Most of the used wind generators sold have damages such as damaged wind blade, defective generator, and old model, needs replacement parts and needs repairs. However used wind generators are up to 50% cheaper than brand new ones. A wind generator is a mechanical device that converts kinetic power in the wind into mechanical energy and then it is converted to usable electrical energy.
Most wind generators today are of two types: Horizontal Axis type and Vertical Axis type.
The Horizontal Axis type (HAWT) has the main rotor shaft and electrical generator located at the apex of a tower and must be pointed in the direction of the wind. Small turbines are guided into the proper direction using a device known as a wind vane, at the same time larger turbine generally use more advance wind sensor using a servo motor. Commonly, a gearbox that turns the sluggish rotation of the blades into a much faster rotation that is better applicable for wind electricity generation. HAWT has advantages in variable wind blades that can be adjusted to suit the maximum wind collection for different season; tall tower base can collect more energy in sites with wind shears, high efficiency because the blades will move perpendicularly to the wind.
The Vertical Axis type (VAWT) has the main rotor shaft positioned vertically. Advantages to this position are the wind turbine does not essentially to be at the direction of the wind to be useful, has advantage on sites which have high variability of wind direction and lesser noise signature than the HAWT.
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 Wind Generator, Wind Turbine on 13 February 2010
Wind Turbine Generator is a mechanical rotating machine which converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy and then converted into useful electrical energy. Due to environmental and economical concerns, wind turbine can be an alternative source of energy and, does not produce harmful green house gases. Wind turbines especially in wind farm, require constant winds with high speeds; wind velocity and mass is also accounted in.
Wind turbines are constructed to capture and harness the wind energy that exists in a location. Through Aerodynamic modeling, one can determine the optimum tower height, blade number and control system.
20% of the total cost of the wind turbine is attributed to the rotor parts, which houses the wind generator turbine blades for transforming the kinetic energy of the wind into mechanical energy.
34% of the total cost of wind turbine is attributed to the generator component, consist of the electrical dynamo, and regulates electrical components and gearbox; which converts the mechanical energy from the turbine to electrical energy.
15% of the total cost, concerns with the wind turbine that comes from the structural support component, which accommodate the tower and rotor yaw apparatus.
31% is attributed to other parts.
Wind Turbine Generators has impact on wildlife. Noise from the turbine may disturb certain hearing sensitive animals, birds and bats are often killed from collision of the blade. High quality wind locations are often far and inhospitable; creating obstacles in transmission logistics and maintenance. How ever wind turbine has much more favorable life cycle imparts than other alternatives.
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 Wind Generator, Wind Turbine on 28 December 2009
Wind generators can either be bought or made, the choice is yours. To date, the increasing consumption of electricity will lead to a depleted supply of fuel and coal. Due to this, more and more people are now considering using wind generators. It is therefore not surprising that the wind generator sale is becoming more and more popular.
Since the prices of all commodities are also fast on the rise, people will want to get the best value for their money. This means if they think buying a second-hand wind generator is more cost efficient then they will choose a slightly used or used wind generator over a new one.
In the event that consumers have more money to spare and think that having a new wind generator will perform better and last longer than getting a second-hand machine, then they will choose to buy from a manufacturer or a wind generator reseller. The point is whichever will work best for a person remains a motivation on whether they will acquire a new machine or a second-hand generator.
Regardless whether you want a new or used generator, some aspects should be thought of such as the location, the presence of wind, government or housing association rules before acquiring a wind generator.
After you have reasonably complied with all of the considerations needed before installing and using a wind generator, only then will you become aware and enjoy the benefits of having a working wind power generator. The best advantage of installing and having a wind generator is saving money because you already have an alternate power source and using an environment friendly machine.
Posted in Wind Generator on 25 December 2009
People are becoming more and more familiar with the residential wind generator. This is not surprising due to the rise in the manufacturing of wind turbines. The residential wind generator is nothing like the commercial wind turbines which are usually more than 350 feet tall.
Residential wind generators stand only a few feet tall and have a price tag of $2,000. It can produce up to 20% of your house’s electricity. Although some state as well as local governments are promoting the manufacture and set up of wind turbines, others continue to restrict the wind generators development. This is due to complaints such as noise or the physical appearance of the wind turbines. These factors are enough for residents and local governments to remain adamant in their stand against wind generator or wind power.
Another challenge that the wind generator industry is facing is the capacity for installation since there are zoning laws and some other ordinances which means plenty of off-limit areas for the installation of the alternative power source generator.
These are just some of the concerns that people face regarding the installation and use of the residential wind generator. Overtime, people expect that these challenges will be overcome so that more consumers can gain from using these special machines. To date, everything is becoming more expensive and electricity is not an exception. For this reason, people should have another means of producing or generating their own power and reduce the consumption of electricity through the wind generator.