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How do wind turbines work?
Wind has been being harvested by man for centuries. Some people incorrectly refer to wind
turbines as windmills. Windmills are usually low speed/high torque and are designed more to
pump water or grind grain or other applications demanding more torque and as such aren't
designed to generate electrical power.
In a normal application, a structure is served simultaneously by wind turbine(s) and possibly
solar panels and also a local utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there
will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As
wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the
utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the structure
needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no
batteries in a modern wind system. Small wind systems for remote applications operate
somewhat differently.
What are the benefits of a wind energy system?
A wind energy system can provide a cushion against electric power price increases. Wind
energy systems help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels; and they are nonpolluting. If you
live in a remote location, a small wind energy system could help you avoid the high costs of
having utility power lines extended to your site.Although wind energy systems involve a
significant initial investment, they can be competitive with conventional energy sources when
you account for a lifetime of reduced or altogether avoided utility costs. The length of the
payback period - the time before the savings resulting from your system equal the cost of the
system itself - depends on the system you choose, the wind resource on your site, electricity
costs in your area, and how the wind system is used.
Is wind power practical for you?
Small wind energy systems can be used in connection with a grid-connected systems, or in
stand-alone applications that are not connected to the utility grid. A grid-connected wind
turbine can reduce consumption of utility-supplied electricity for lighting, appliances, and
electric heat. If the turbine cannot deliver the amount of energy you need, the utility makes up
the difference. When the wind system produces more electricity than the structure requires,
the excess can be returned to the grid. With the interconnections available today, switching
takes place automatically.
Stand-alone wind energy systems can be appropriate for businesses, homes, farms, or even
entire communities, a co-housing project, condominiums or other community associations.
Who should consider buying a wind turbine?
Businesses can geatly benefit from a wind turbine and generally have large enough facilities to
warrant the investment. A residential wind turbine can be a relatively large device and is not
suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (ones with
blades one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or
more is desirable.
Do wind turbines make noise?
Small wind turbines do make some noise, but not enough to be found objectionable by most
people. A typical wind system makes less noise than the average washing machine and on
windy days makes no more noise than the wind itself.
Do wind turbines create a hazard for birds?
Some studies have been done to determine the danger to birds from wind turbines and
generally they've been inconclusive. It is generally considered that a wind turbine creates no
more of a hazard to birds than any other structure and that household cats, collisions with
vehicles and buildings create more hazards to birds than do wind turbines.
Is Your Site Right?
The US Department of Energy (DOE) and individual states have compiled wind
resource maps that are available online. DOE maps are good sources for regional
information and can show whether wind speeds in your area are generally strong
enough to justify investing in a wind system.To do an accurate assessment you will
need site-specific data to determine the wind resource of your exact location. If you do
not have on-site data and want to obtain a clearer, more predictable picture of your wind
resource, you may wish to measure wind speeds at your site for a year. You can do this
with a recording anemometer. The anemometer should be raised to the approximate
height of the tower that you will erect for the wind turbine. This will determine the wind
resources available at a given height for that location. Most sites benefit from a taller
tower as much as from a larger turbine as winds increase as you go higher.
What size system do you need?
Look at your monthly electric bills and determine how much power the structure is
using. Then it is best to begin taking wind speed measurements for at least a few
consecutive months (or a full year). Remember winds are stronger in cooler months
than warmer ones. Once this data has been collected, a turbine can be selected that
will maximize the wind resources at your site.
Where should your wind turbine be located?
In most cases wind turbines need to be located at least 30 feet above any obstacles
such as the structure its powering, trees and any other obstacles that block wind
resources available to the turbine.
Wind has been being harvested by man for centuries. Some people incorrectly refer to wind
turbines as windmills. Windmills are usually low speed/high torque and are designed more to
pump water or grind grain or other applications demanding more torque and as such aren't
designed to generate electrical power.
In a normal application, a structure is served simultaneously by wind turbine(s) and possibly
solar panels and also a local utility. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there
will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the utility. As
wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the
utility is proportionately decreased. When the turbine produces more power than the structure
needs, the extra electricity is sold to the utility. All of this is done automatically. There are no
batteries in a modern wind system. Small wind systems for remote applications operate
somewhat differently.
What are the benefits of a wind energy system?
A wind energy system can provide a cushion against electric power price increases. Wind
energy systems help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels; and they are nonpolluting. If you
live in a remote location, a small wind energy system could help you avoid the high costs of
having utility power lines extended to your site.Although wind energy systems involve a
significant initial investment, they can be competitive with conventional energy sources when
you account for a lifetime of reduced or altogether avoided utility costs. The length of the
payback period - the time before the savings resulting from your system equal the cost of the
system itself - depends on the system you choose, the wind resource on your site, electricity
costs in your area, and how the wind system is used.
Is wind power practical for you?
Small wind energy systems can be used in connection with a grid-connected systems, or in
stand-alone applications that are not connected to the utility grid. A grid-connected wind
turbine can reduce consumption of utility-supplied electricity for lighting, appliances, and
electric heat. If the turbine cannot deliver the amount of energy you need, the utility makes up
the difference. When the wind system produces more electricity than the structure requires,
the excess can be returned to the grid. With the interconnections available today, switching
takes place automatically.
Stand-alone wind energy systems can be appropriate for businesses, homes, farms, or even
entire communities, a co-housing project, condominiums or other community associations.
Who should consider buying a wind turbine?
Businesses can geatly benefit from a wind turbine and generally have large enough facilities to
warrant the investment. A residential wind turbine can be a relatively large device and is not
suitable for urban or small-lot suburban homes. Except for very small wind turbines (ones with
blades one meter or less in diameter) on very small towers, a property size of one acre or
more is desirable.
Do wind turbines make noise?
Small wind turbines do make some noise, but not enough to be found objectionable by most
people. A typical wind system makes less noise than the average washing machine and on
windy days makes no more noise than the wind itself.
Do wind turbines create a hazard for birds?
Some studies have been done to determine the danger to birds from wind turbines and
generally they've been inconclusive. It is generally considered that a wind turbine creates no
more of a hazard to birds than any other structure and that household cats, collisions with
vehicles and buildings create more hazards to birds than do wind turbines.
Is Your Site Right?
The US Department of Energy (DOE) and individual states have compiled wind
resource maps that are available online. DOE maps are good sources for regional
information and can show whether wind speeds in your area are generally strong
enough to justify investing in a wind system.To do an accurate assessment you will
need site-specific data to determine the wind resource of your exact location. If you do
not have on-site data and want to obtain a clearer, more predictable picture of your wind
resource, you may wish to measure wind speeds at your site for a year. You can do this
with a recording anemometer. The anemometer should be raised to the approximate
height of the tower that you will erect for the wind turbine. This will determine the wind
resources available at a given height for that location. Most sites benefit from a taller
tower as much as from a larger turbine as winds increase as you go higher.
What size system do you need?
Look at your monthly electric bills and determine how much power the structure is
using. Then it is best to begin taking wind speed measurements for at least a few
consecutive months (or a full year). Remember winds are stronger in cooler months
than warmer ones. Once this data has been collected, a turbine can be selected that
will maximize the wind resources at your site.
Where should your wind turbine be located?
In most cases wind turbines need to be located at least 30 feet above any obstacles
such as the structure its powering, trees and any other obstacles that block wind
resources available to the turbine.
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At G2Power
Technologies, llc
we know you have
questions and we
are happy to discuss
your needs with you
in detail. Please
Contact Us if you
have additional
questions.
Technologies, llc
we know you have
questions and we
are happy to discuss
your needs with you
in detail. Please
Contact Us if you
have additional
questions.
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