Micro Wind Turbines

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Wind turbines do not have to be as large as a wind mill which, is specifically found on top of a hill and on cliffs beside the sea. As technology and innovation is driven, micro wind turbine is rapidly being recognized by consumers.

The advancement and benefits of micro wind are becoming known all over the world. Research and development gives the micro wind turbines a promising major role in the renewable energy distribution.

Earlier development of micro wind turbines was not made in practical solution due to the noise it produces. But because of the advancement in engineering and technology, a much quieter micro wind turbine has been developed with the addition of reduced vibration during its operation. Wind turbine harnesses the useful power of wind and converts it to electricity.

Micro in Size but Macro in Impact

The benefits of micro wind turbines are discussed below.

* Lower you electricity bill – wind is everywhere and it is free to use. Only the initial installation will be costly but in the long run your electricity cost will surely be trimmed down.

* Green and Healthy Living - the use of wind electricity is green in nature. With the use of micro wind turbines you cut off the carbon and other elements that harm your healthy being. The micro wind turbines are producing renewable energy that doesn’t release harmful pollutants.

* Store electricity for future use – If you are not connected to the national grid, you can still make use of the electricity by storing it in batteries and using it in the future scenarios.

Work of Micro Wind Turbines

Micro wind turbines use blades to catch and hold the wind. When the wind blows and hits the blades, it drives the turbine to rotate and generate electricity. The stronger the wind is, the more electricity is produced.

Micro wind turbines are generally installed on towers or on an elevated area so that they can catch the required amount of wind on a higher speed.

Types of Wind Turbines

Horizontal Axis Turbines – Most wind turbines are in a horizontal axis manner. It is the one that you usually see on farms. They are usually mounted on top a hill or on top of a tower in order to catch the wind. With small scale versions like that of micro wind turbines, they have tail fins in order to guarantee that the blades are constantly turning.

Vertical Axis Turbines – The other type of wind turbine is the vertical axis turbine. The vertical axis turbine is not that common compared to the vertical ones. However, this type has the advantage of not requiring the blades to face the wind. This is vital when the wind varies direction over time.

Micro Wind Turbine’s Capacity

Determining the micro wind turbines capacity to generate electricity depends solely on the amount of wind speed in the area. A 5KW wind turbine is a micro turbine so are 7500 watt.

Used Wind Turbine Scams

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Purchasing a used wind turbine can be a very daunting process. Advertised as used wind turbines, second hand wind turbines, remanufactured wind turbines, or even refurbished wind turbines how can someone determine which used wind equipment is good and which is bad? How can someone determine what the difference is between them? How can someone keep from being “scammed”?

Used wind turbines can be excellent deals and provide their owners with years of electricity at a price substantially less than a new system of similar nameplate capacity, but a hastily purchased used turbine can cause the owner headaches and financial loss.

First it is important to understand that buying a used wind turbine is not like buying a used car or boat. Cars and boats become available frequently for many reasons; the owner can no longer make the payments and the property is repossessed, the owner becomes tired of the color, or wants more power or room, a newer model is available are some of the many reasons a person my want to sell their used car or boat. In the case of wind turbines it is unlikely the owner is selling their equipment because they have become tired with it or no longer like the model or style.

Most used wind turbines available have become available for one of the following reasons: The turbine is at the end of its current useful lifespan or the turbine does not produce the power that was expected upon installation. Less common reasons a second hand wind turbine may become available might include the replacement of the current turbine for a larger system, or perhaps a property is sold and the new owners don’t like the wind turbines. Whatever the reason a wind turbine has become available, it is important for a prospective buyer to understand the exact reason the turbine became available and is being sold.

A wind turbine that is being sold at the end of its lifespan is very common. These machines are the most affordable and are in high demand, but an individual should not consider the purchase of this type of wind turbine if their intent is to install the unit for long term energy production. Wind turbines at the end of their useful lifespan are typically purchased for one of three following reasons:

• the turbine is going to be used by a college or other wind energy professional for training or educational purposes
• the turbine is going to be taken apart and used for spare parts
• the turbine is going to be remanufactured or rebuilt to original manufacturer specifications

Properly remanufactured or refurbished wind turbines are the best options for those people who are considering a used wind energy system. When a used wind turbine is properly remanufactured the unit can produce years of electricity at a price substantially less than a new system that produces similar amounts of power. However, buyers must use caution when selecting a remanufactured wind turbine also.

Many quality remanufacturers exist. Unfortunately there are plenty of horror stories of people who thought they were purchasing a quality remanufactured product and ended up with little more than a freshly painted wind turbine that had not been completely remanufactured. It is important for anyone considering a remanufactured wind turbine to ask questions. Ask questions about the remanufacturer, and exactly what was done in the remanufacturing process. Be cautious if the seller and the remanufacturer are the same person or company. Wind turbines are not machines that an average person is going to remanufacture. Remanufacturing services are typically offered by companies that specifically work with wind generator manufacturing and remanufacturing equipment, allowing them access to the customized parts and equipment required to properly remanufacture a used wind turbine for restored long term use.

Ultimately, if you are considering a used wind energy system, you need to begin by determining the type of equipment you are interested in (i.e. ready to install equipment that will last a long time or equipment that requires work or repair). Then ask questions and use common sense when considering the answers. Consider the reputation of the company and or the individuals you are working with. Are they insured? Who are they? What do they do? Consider the detail you received about the remanufacturing process, and the length and strength of the warranty on the remanufactured equipment. And of course do your research and verification. A couple of questions and some additional research and background can help you ensure a positive wind energy experience.

Matthew Gladen - About the Author:

 

Matthew Gladen is certified by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association as a Wind Site Assessor and is a member of the executive management team of FESCO Direct LLC. FESCO Direct is a leading provider new, used and remanufactured wind energy equipment. The firm specializes in equipment distribution offering discounted or wholesale pricing to renewable energy professionals, but for the convenience of retail clients offers general project consulting and turnkey installation services in select US and European markets.

Wind Energy – It’s Concept and Usefulness

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Wind Energy – It’s Concept and Usefulness

Wind power happens to be one of the most basic and oldest types of energy. It has been in use ever since the first windmills came into existence in Europe centuries ago. As the world is currently look for alternative energy sources, the technology used to convert wind energy into usable electricity forms seems to be attracting a lot of attention.

A key advantage of this type of energy is that it is very efficient, clean, natural and healthy. It has absolutely no impacts on the environment and its usage does not bring about the product of any harmful by products such as the ones created by nuclear power and fossil fuels.

Against what many people believe, electricity generation using wind is actually cheap and much more cost-effective. In the current situation, on an average, it costs about five centers per kilowatt-hour to produce wind energy.

When compared to all the varying forms of alternative energy, this is extremely cheap. Also, it is very unlikely that the wind will stop blowing making it a completely renewable source of energy. This also means the production prices are not likely to rise and have stronger chances of becoming cheaper.

Furthermore, expanding the capacity of a country to start up electricity generation from wind power can actually help boost the economy and some of the country’s rural areas. Places where there are plenty of ranches and farms are the ones which are most suited for wind power.

On top of everything, wind form of energy does not cause any pollution at all. Also there is likely to be wind as long as the sun exists which will surely be the case for another four billion years; wind form of energy is a more permanent source of energy.

In fact, if all the wind power which was available to mankind was harnessed, there could nearly ten times the amount of energy that we currently use.

Wind energy is available in plenty all around the globe and so countries are not likely to be dependent on energy from any other country. In the face of rising gas prices and petroleum prices, wind energy might be the best solution.

More Wind Energy Articles

Wind Energy is the Way to Go

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Using Solar Wind Energy is the Way to Go

Article by Richard Baxter

Many people today have realized the dream of being completely off the grid by combining wind and solar energy. Small sized affordable wind generators are available today for the home user, and they are being combined with photovoltaic cells for power generation. It’s obvious that fossil fuel energy costs are going to keep on rising making it harder to afford getting power from the grid. The time is more than ripe for solar wind energy to be one of the solutions to rising energy costs, and to take us off of fossil fuel energy dependence.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines are actually very simple machines. They consist of 3 parts: rotor blades, a shaft, and a generator. The rotor blades act like a propeller that turns the shaft when the wind flows through them. The shaft then turns the generator and a current is generated. About eighty-five percent of all off-grid systems use solar wind energy.

The new micro as well as mini wind turbines are very popular with sailors, and are now starting to be more popular with home owners in Europe and the UK. Mini turbines are very cost effective and will only cost about $ 1,500 to $ 2,500. They are perfect for generating electricity if you live off the grid in remote rural areas. It’s satisfying to think about having solar wind energy provide for all your energy needs and also knowing that you never have to depend on utility companies.

Photovoltaic Cells

The typical home solar power system consists mainly of these:

a)Photovoltaic Panels

b)Charge Controller Module

c)Batteries (optional)

d)Inverter

Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into an electric current. The type of current generated by a photovoltaic panel array is DC or direct current. For this current to be usable in most common households, it has to be converted into AC or alternating current. That’s where the inverter comes in. It’s job is to convert DC into AC current.

Solar wind energy systems are also called hybrid energy systems because the use a combination of solar and wind power to generate electricity. The wind turbines are mostly used during the winter months (in the northern hemisphere) when the sun’s vertical rays are mostly directed toward the southern hemisphere, and days tend to be short and cloudy. During summer months, photovoltaic cells would supplement greatly along with the wind turbine.

By using hybrid solar wind energy systems, a homeowner has the option of using or omitting batteries for storage. Homeowners also have the choice of being “Grid-Tied” or “Net Metered”. This means that your solar wind energy system has the ability to provide electricity not only for your house, but the power company as well. This way, if your solar wind energy system generated more energy than was used, the energy can be sold back to the power company. When you’re selling energy back to the company, your power meter runs backward. The “net metered” system therefore is highly recommended. The grid also works as your “battery backup” when your hybrid solar wind energy system doesn’t provide for your power demands.

Net-metered systems are also recommended because they are easier to install, cost less, and offer better performance.

earthship.com Vertical Axis Windmill. Highly efficient. 4th generation of vertical axis windmills as researched and developed by Earthship Biotecture.

American Wind Energy Promotes Growth

TweetBy Wade Lawson

The American Wind Energy Association promotes the growth of wind power through educational programs, communication and advocacy. Lots of houses now have small wind turbines installed to cover standard electricity needs. Due to the efforts of the American Wind Energy Association lots of individuals now have the chance to reduce energy bills and protect the environment at the same time.

Investments in wind power systems are extensively encouraged by the US government in collaboration with the American Wind Association. The association provides informative data and statistics on the facilities that the wind industry could offer, and these often turn into guidelines for the alternative energy programs that the government wants to develop by federal policies. This kind of support is directed towards slowing down climate modifications.

It is partly due to the American Wind Energy Association that the US population can now enjoy the federal Production Tax Credit for wind energy. The costs for the installation of wind-powered generators are reduced with up to 30% due to this federal aid. Thanks to such facilities, the number of US renewable energy programs and companies/individuals producing electricity has increased considerably.

The American Wind Energy Association is also well known for hosting the WindPower Conference, the largest international event of the kind. This is the event where the latest green technologies are revealed, with large-scale components included; you can also learn about the latest trends and find information on the development of various renewable energy policies. The annual conference usually takes place in Dallas, Texas.

The utilities that the American Wind Energy Association works with include municipal public power structures, rural electric co-operatives, investor-owned utilities and several others. The association provides information and consultancy for the choice of wind power equipment, wind systems, operation and development of renewable energy structures.

The official website of the American Wind Energy Association is a rich source of information for anyone interested in events related to wind power. You can also find out how to become a member and how to find other organizations that work in the alternative energy industry. The website contains a large number of useful links that can prove helpful for the average home owner, interested in investing in a wind power system.

Visit the American Wind Energy Website for more information. Greenerenergyonline supports further renewable energy development.

Thanks for Reading:

Wade Lawson

www.greenerenergyonline.com

www.cnfg-si.org

Is Biomass An Alternative Energy Source?

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Is biomass a green energy source? According to pros, yes it is. In fact , it’s one of the 3 important areas of bioenergy.

But what’s bioenergy? Well, it’s a process by which organic material like animal waste, plants and wood are used to generate electrical power, produce heat and also aid in the production of biofuels.

In the case of biomass, hot air or water is generated to supply electricity. This is done through direct combustion and is thought of as the simplest and most typical method of generating power from biomass.

Aside from creating electricity, biomass may be employed for hot air production so that you can keep a place warm. For this to work, biomass needs to be combusted in a furnace where it heats either water or air. Talking of water, this enables you to have lukewarm water so that you can take a shower. In short , biomass in itself can also be utilized in a little scale as a heating system.

Since you can generate power and heat, some people have managed to blend the 2 which is known as combined heat and power or CHP. Something that many consider to be good as you use one energy source for 2 purposes.

If you are able to compare the quantity of electricity generated between biomass and let’s say solar energy, you’ll notice that biomass produces more because the energy in plants is already captured and stored.

You don’t have to collect it first which is what occurs with solar or maybe wind energy since this is manufactured technology. It is widely available not like the other two which is totally dependent on the weather.

Another is the incontrovertible fact that you can also use organic waste to product electricity. No other green energy source can do that and by employing this at length, any government can save cash because you don’t have to spend to dispose of the waste and you won’t rely on foreign oil that much to drive your plants.

The downside to biomass is that because you have to burn waste and other organic materials to product power, you add to the pollution which is in the atmosphere. But this can be offset of course by planting more crops which we know helps cut the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.

You will additionally have to shell out a lot of money at first for the costs of work, the transport of these fuels and how these should be stored.

Biomass uses replaceable natural resources which explains why it is regarded as a green energy source. This means that we have an endless supply of it around just like the solar energy or the wind which flows from the sea. The challenge is to find acceptable land that has a sufficient water supply so these will be well placed to grow.

This indicates that in areas where water isn’t that abundant, you cannot rely on biomass technology to generate power. When that occurs, you use other means and one excellent example given the right geographical location is wave energy which is the method of generating power from the water.

There’s a way to create power without causing damage to the environment. We’ve got the technology and the green energy sources. We just have to muster the eagerness to make it happen.

Sarah Green is an environmental campaigner, activist, and robust believer in being energy self-sufficient. In her spare time, she reports on DIY alternative energy plans and kits,eg the ben ford home made energy download.

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