Wind Turbine Design – Puts money in your pocket while reducing your carbon footprint.
We all know that the world is suffering an energy crisis, demand is simply starting to out strip supply. As any economist would tell you, when the demand is greater than the supply the price goes up. So how do you generate a cheaper energy supply? Wind turbines. Not only will this be putting money back in your pocket but you will be reducing your carbon footprint thereby helping to reduce Global Warming.
The basic wind turbine design is quite simple and can be varied in size depending on what you want to power. The first thing to consider when using a wind turbine is location, for a wind turbine to be most efficient you need it to stand 4.5 meters above any obstruction within a 9 meter radius of the turbine. You also don’t want it mounted to your house because, although when the blades are balanced properly they don’t make much noise, they do make vibration and that moving through your house you certainly will notice! Also bear in mind the size of your turbine, if you are in a residential area, as a massive contraption in your front lawn won’t endear you to the neighbours and might have your local authorities knocking at your door!
Three blades is the most effective blade configuration, this will give you the best compromise between power, speed and torque ( All vital when you are trying to generate power for home use.). Blades can be made out of most materials although the best for DIY design is generally wood with a thin layer of water resistant tape or fiberglass over the leading edge to provide some protection. The tip of your blade can get up some high speeds and could suffer some hurt from debris. The blades need to be shaped to resemble an aircraft wing, and have a slight twist, this will give the best lift into the wind, driving the blades forward.
Next you will need your blades to be turning some sort of motor which will provide the current to charge the batteries. The best motor for this sort of application is a high voltage DC permanent magnet motor, the best place to find one of these? Electric treadmills, although washing machine motors and those used in computer equipment can make excellent alternatives. Just make sure if you are using a DC motor that you also fit a blocking diode to ensure that your current is flowing into your battery and not out of it!
You will need to attach a tail fin, again this can also be made out of pretty much anything so long as the size is in proportion to the blades you are attaching.
Your motor can then be connected to your 12 volt batteries, car batteries are usually ideal.
One thing to remember is that household appliances very often need a regular voltage, fluctuations can cause hurt. A excellent thought is to install a regulator to maintain a consistent current supply.
For the less adventurous DIYers out there, you can buy numerous wind turbine kits that give you detailed instructions and step by step guides. By Ashley Weyers
How Wind Power Works
There has been a lot of talk about energy and power option alternatives that are more efficient. Many of the methods of power being used have been found to be unclean and not environmentally friendly. One safer and cleaner option you may have heard about is the wind power. This may make you wonder how wind power works in the first place.
First of all, what is wind power? Wind power is a method of producing electricity and power through converting wind energy. It is environmentally friendly. It does not produce hazardous waste nor does it decrease our natural resources. Wind power is renewable and clean. The way of how wind power works is by the use of wind mills, wind turbines, wind pumps, and sails.
It works mostly by using turbine blades to capture energy contained in wind. Once the blades capture the energy, they start to go. Once moving, the energy is transferred to a shaft, then to a hub, and eventually to a generator which turns it into electricity (power).
Many of the methods we use to produce power are terrible for the environment, which is why wind power is an vital alternative. For instance, we generate power from power plants. These plants use fossil fuels, nuclear power, coal, gas, and oil. By using these substances, they hurt the environment by the way they pollute and impact the ozone layer. Power plants have contributed to global warming and climate change because the sulfur dioxide emitted by them cause acid rain and the carbon released is what causes climate change. Luckily, this is not how wind power works – in fact, capturing power from the wind requires no fossil fuels or toxic substances, it merely requires a windy area.
Also, the burning of coal is a very dominant method of producing power. The emissions that coal produces cause urban smog. And these emissions also cause health problems to people such as respiratory conditions. They emit mercury which is a heavy metal that is toxic to humans. By making mercury airborne, it is putting the health of human beings at risk.
The increasing use of electric consumption is an issue that affects the entire planet. The more people use, the more power must be produced. This means more emissions will also be produced; therefore it is a legitimate concern for everyone.
The way of how wind power works through turbines to generators is a clean way of obtaining power and electricity. It is beneficial to the planet, environment, and all of us that inhabit the planet. This is the reason why it is so vital.
6 Main Benefits Of Wind Power
There has been an increase over the last five years in the amount of research and interest in wind turbines. Though originally used as a source of energy hundreds of years ago, the latest technology used in their designs has made them incredibly efficient. If you are searching for a free and environmentally friendly method to provide your home or office with electricity then it is worth considering the benefits of wind power.
1. Pollution: It is now known that the pollution made by coal power plants has a destructive effect on the planet. The sooner we all switch to cleaner forms of energy the quicker we will be able to place a halt to climate change.
2. Cost: If you have a basic knowledge of DIY then it is possible for you to download a plot and build yourself a wind turbine over the course of a couple of days. It is relatively simple to build and the cost of the materials that are required is low, less than one hundred dollars. The money you will save, even in one year, can run into hundreds of dollars.
3. Twenty four hour electricity: Today there is a greater risk of power outages as the supply of electricity can often not keep up with demand, and more so during the hot summer months when we like to use air conditioning units. A wind turbine will allow you to be unaffected by these types of power cuts or shortages because the energy is stored up which is one of the fantastic benefits of wind power.
4. Surplus Energy: If the wind turbine you install is large enough it may be possible for you to produce more electricity then you need. This can then be sold to a utility company and fed into the national grid. You will be making money while providing society a clean source of power.
5. Odorless: Those of us that live near a gas or coal power station will know just how terrible they smell. If more households switch to renewable non polluting sources of energy then this nasty problem can be lessened.
6. Future: Do you reckon oil and coal will last forever? It seems there is every chance that it will run out in our lifetime. In the future it is going to be necessary for us to be able to make as much power ourselves as the age of cheap electricity from fossil fuels is nearly over. Wind will never run out or be exhausted.
The benefits of wind power cannot be understated. Now is a fantastic time to switch your energy needs.
Pro's And Cons Of Wind Power For Homes
At a time when the world is crying foul as to the growing extent of global warming quite a number of alternatives have been sought. And one such alternative has been wind power for homes. Wind power is electric power generated from the wind’s natural rotational force and is used for the same purposes as any other source of energy. And just like anything else there are pro’s and cons when it comes to using it.
Wind power is by far one of the cleanest sources of energy. Because it is tapped from the natural environment it does not release any of the numerous toxic gases typical of fossil fuels. In fact it is really clean from the moment it is generated up until it is pumped into electric cables. So it has no negative impact on the earth’s atmospheric compositon and it’s one way to keep global warming at bay.
Simply because such power is sourced from the wind it’s a very cheap alternative to normal electricity. By just installing your wind turbine you can have free electricity at your disposal. The only costs you will incur are those of installation and maintenance.
Wind is a renewable source of energy. This means if you live someplace with lots of wind, you stand to benefit from free electricity all year round. This aspect of wind energy is what makes it a whole lot better than fossil fuel energy because its supply is guaranteed and regular.
The maintenance costs of wind power for homes is very small, if not negligible. All you need to do is oil the joints and make sure the vanes that are went by the wind are properly screwed on. And if you take a few tips on maintenance from a professional you certainly never have to worry about calling an expert whenever you have a problem you cannot fix.
But all is not well with wind energy. Even though it’s a cheap and clean source of energy such supplies of electricity can be irregular. On occasions when there is still air you can’t expect to be having wind energy. But this irregularity is not a problem if you are living in a city where most days of the week are windy.
In addition to this the long blades on wind turbines can be a hazard to wildlife in the area. Also, they can be pretty noisy so when considering wind power, it is best to keep up with the latest technology because there are smaller wind turbines that are less obtrusive which might be better for wind power for homes.
Why A Residential Wind Turbine Is An Excellent Idea
Have you noticed that every year the cost of utility bills are rising? Now the days when we have to pay such bills are full of dread and anxiety. If in these times of economic uncertainty you are desperately searching for a way to minimize your household costs then it may be worthwhile thinking about sourcing your energy requirements from a free and renewable source such as a residential wind turbine.
It is not just money you’ll be saving by switching your electricity to a renewable source; the benefits for the environment cannot be understated. It is impossible not to be aware of the consequences of we have on our planet today.
The issue of global warming and climate change is a hot topic. Most utility companies will still produce electricity from polluting sources such as coal and gas power plants. By having a wind turbine fitted to your home you will have peace of mind that you are not contributing to environmental degradation.
You might reckon that a residential wind turbine won’t provide you with an adequate amount of power; though this used to be the case today it is very different. A modern residential wind turbine is a lot more efficient than those that were available even just a few years ago. Now even when the blades are spinning slowly there will still be enough power being made. Most systems will involve a series of storage batteries in which the electricity is kept after it is produced by the turbine’s dynamo. This allows you to have a source of energy even on a still day.
The costs of wind turbines have come down dramatically in price as they are sold in greater numbers. It may even be possible to receive some kind of government grant or help as today most local authorities will encourage citizens to implement green practices and designs into their homes and lifestyles.
Maybe you have a property that is off the national power grid. If so then by installing a turbine you will be able to be provided with electricity. Whether the building is a workshop or an actual residence; being able to have power when previously there was none can make a huge difference to your lifestyle.
Before you plot on putting up a residential wind turbine for your home be sure to check any plotting regulations that may govern the installation of such equipment in your locality.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Wind Power
If you are thinking about adopting the newest ‘green’ practices in your home then you should check out the latest options in alternative sources of energy. You may be aware that these have merits when compared to fossil fuels but what are the exact advantages and disadvantages of wind power.
Any switch to a different energy source is going to involve an initial investment, whether or not this is cost effective and will be sufficient for your requirements will be down to individual factors and constraints.
Perhaps the largest motivation for opting to install a wind turbine is the fact that it will give you electricity that has been made without adding to the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Second on most people’s list will be the financial advantages of using wind power. Once you have made the initial buy then you will be able to have an unlimited free supply of energy; this has the potential to drastically cut back your annual expenditure.
There are other factors that make exploring the advantages and disadvantages of wind power a goo thought. They are very simple in to operate; you will find that they require very small maintenance. Just check for any hurt after a strong storm. Also, as they come in various sizes and designs you can choose the option that best fits your need; for example you may want to use wind for all your electrical requirements or just to use in combination with that which is delivered from a utility company.
It has to be said that there are a few negatives that are often associated with wind power. The most obvious is the reliability factor. It is not every day that the wind blows. If there is a prolonged period where the breeze is below a minimum level then no power will be generated.
There are people that say wind turbines are hideous or an eyesore. Though this is down to personal tastes it can become an issue in certain neighborhoods. Depending on the frequency of windy days the cost effectiveness of turbines is going to vary. You would not want to spend a few thousand on a top of the range option only to have it produce a trickle of electric.
As you can see, there are many advantages and disadvantages of wind power but a couple of the factors that often make wind turbines be seen in a terrible light are the sounds that they make and the effect that they can have on migratory birds.
Small Wind Turbines
With today’s go towards renewable energy more and more people are thinking about wind power as a viable means of sustainable energy production. Most wind power is generated using a wind turbine and there are both large and small wind turbines on the market nowadays and their purposes differ despite electricity generation being a major similarity.
Small wind turbines use the same process to generate electricity as a large one. Wind energy is the renewable source of power that makes use of the movement of the wind. So as the wind blows past a turbine it in turn turns its blades and generates kinetic energy. When this kinetic energy has been made it is used to turn shafts located inside a turbine.
The moment this shaft starts to turn and rotate rotational energy is formed. This by-product of wind velocity is that which is converted to electricity well inside the turbine. Electricity generated in this fashion is then stored in storage facilities near the wind factory for later use in industries or homes. So basically the process of making electricity from wind is the same as for both small and large turbines.
Electricity produced by small turbines is far less than that produced by large ones. The difference in capacity is what determines what the power is going to be used for. When it comes to small power generating turbines the purpose for which they are sought is small scale.
Based on this it is opportune to say that such power is used for small industries. Such small industries are ones with a small capacity, for instance small scale tailor factories or paper processing plants. Because these small businesses do not have high electricity needs it is viable for them to use this form of energy.
For powering your home these will also come in very handy. Power for home use every month is pretty much small so home wind power is a excellent way of cutting down on your power bill. By just installing three or four turbines you will be able to produce your own homemade power without resorting to the main power grid.
As you may have noticed a lot of small scale farms make use of turbines. These small wind turbines can be used on a farm to pump electricity. This will be a very economical and eco-friendly thing to do considering that electricity generators used for pumping water can consume a lot of power.
Offshore Wind Farms Compared To Land Based Wind Farms
When it comes to wind power quite a number of offshore wind farms have been built and they are not in any way different from ones located on land. In fact, there are very few differences between the two but the offshore wind farms can harness more wind due to the nature of the wind above the sea.
It is not a lot of individuals who really appreciate the value of renewable energy. Renewable energy is that energy that is derived from sources that do not run out. Examples of renewable sources of power are wind; water and sunshine. By their very nature they can be recycled and reused for the purposes of making electricity. But fossil fuel energy is no-renewable because once fossils like coal and oil have run out they can never be restored again.
Off shore wind farms are the large pieces of ocean that have dozens of wind turbines erected on them. Wind turbines are the machines that are used to manipulate the wind on these farms in order to make electricity. Such wind power farms are formed because of their potential capacity to generate a substantial amount of electricity.
Land based wind farms use wind that forms in land. Such winds travel in specific directions every year and because of their regularity it is viable to build turbines in such areas. But if an area selected to become a wind farm receives an uneven supply of power it would not be viable.
Naturally land based wind farms do not generate as much electricity as in offshore farms. When compared to wind turbines built into the sea they do not have an added electricity generating capacity. Turbines located in the sea have a greater capacity because the most powerful winds are received from sea and wash over inland.
But offshore wind farms are affected by harsh weather conditions they are prone to unexpected hurt. When gale force winds, cyclones or tsunamis wreck havoc you can be certain that your turbines will be ruined. So they are a riskier investment than land based wind farms.
How A Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Works
Wind turbines are the amusing looking devices that use the power of wind to make electricity. When you see them for the first time you might reckon they are huge fans designed to cool down a world heating up. But after close scrutiny you should realize they serve a very strategic purpose, generating power. There are different types of wind turbines of which the vertical axis wind turbine is one.
A vertical axis wind turbine is just like any other in the sense that it uses wind to make power. In other words the process of making electricity using these and other types is the same, but there are a few differences. Basically they are upright in structure and they are the turbines you see every time a picture of a turbine is shown to you. In other words they stand upright as the name suggests.
These turbines have long blades that stick out from an oval shaped centre. If you have no thought how this looks just imagine your living room fan, overhead or standstill on a stool or stand. It is these turbines that go when the wind blows over them.
So when these blades are set into motion by blowing wind kinetic energy is made. Kinetic energy is energy derived whilst an object is in motion. This kinetic energy is not the power that is generated and used as electricity but in actual fact it is the raw product which is in turn used to make electric power.
The very moment kinetic energy gets formed it is then used to turn shafts positioned inside the vertical trough of the turbine. As these shafts turn another form of energy gets produced, rotational energy. The name stems from the fact that the shaft turns in a rotational movement as the shaft turns around and around.
Rotational energy made within the vertical trough is passed through cables and taken into a converter. In this converter rotational energy is converted into electricity, the power you use in your home to light up lights and power electric gadgets.
The moment rotational energy gets converted to power that power is then stored. The size of storage facilities depends on the size and capacity of the turbine. But generally a large capacity turbine uses more storage space than an ordinary turbine. Vertical axis wind turbines are the most well loved and most efficient of the turbines on the market.
Why Micro Wind Turbines Are A Great Investment
Why should you educate yourself about micro wind turbines?
In this day and age it is impossible to be ignorant of vital global factors that have an influence on our individual lives. The economy and the environment are two such considerations. We are all aware that the financial system has been in disarray over the last couple of years; this has led to spiraling costs of household bills and more individuals struggling to make ends meet.
Today it is rare to be able to watch a news bulletin without mention of global warming; your carbon footprint is partially calculated by the amount of electricity you use and what this is sourced from. If you want to adopt a lifestyle that is right for these days of change then you should consider installing micro wind turbines on your home.
There are different ways in which we can switch our energy demands to alternative and renewable sources of energy. Solar power has been the most well loved choice for the last decade, but over the past few years there have been developments in the technology involved in wind power that has made this an option worth considering.
Micro wind turbines were originally designed for use on yachts and other small maritime craft. The amount of electricity they produced was very small and could only power a few electrical gadgets such as a GPS and satellite phone. Quick forward to today and the small wind turbines now being sold are vastly more efficient.
Though you would not be able to power modern gadgets such as fridges and washing machines through the electricity they produce, a micro wind turbine can be a fantastic way to reduce your overall bill. It is possible to fix up a system were for example the electricity that is made is used to power your security lights or workshop.
Today there are often strict laws that regulate whether or not we can install a wind turbine on our homes. If you live in a built up location then a micro wind turbine may be the only option open to you.
As they are smaller in size you will learn that the costs are very low. It is possible to buy a quality model for as small as one hundred and fifty dollars. Over the space of a couple of years you will be able to recoup any investment.
If you want to do your bit to protect the environmental and be rewarded by having a smaller utility bill, then micro wind turbines might be something for you to consider.
