Build Your Own Wind Turbine » Ireland

Small Wind Generators-How Practical for Residential Wind Energy?

Build Your Own Wind Turbine — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:14:45 +0000

In it’s simplest form a wind generator is a machine that harnesses the power of the wind to produce electicity. The wind energy is captured and converted into mechanical energy which in turn moves the blades attached to a motor to produce electrical energy. Wind generators are commonplace all around the world nowadays.

Many farmers for example use them on their land and work really well in open spaces with decent winds. Small wind generators can be set up by ordinary people without the need for professional intervention.

The bits and pieces that are needed are widely available.

Wind generators are also known as wind turbines or windmills.

Before the invention of electricity wind turbines were used for pumping water and pulling boats. There are many advantages of using a wind generator and the principal benefits are environmental and economic..

They are extremely kind to the environment because there are no harmful emissions or residues

They do not require any fossil fuels to product electricity. They are a serious alternative source of clean, renewable energy.

The ongoing cost of operating a wind generator is small, more than offsetting the initial cost of setting one up. They provide a great degree of independence for many people because your dependence on big power providers or government is removed.

Wind generators will provide power for life and you need not worry about strikes at power plants, power outages in times of high demand. And the great thing is that you can sell excess power back into the national energy grid. This comes about because the wind generator allows you to store energy for use later on.

In conclusion, small wind generators offer a super solution from a practical, economic and environmental viewpoint. And the legacy you leave for those coming behind you will be a fitting trubute to your care for the planet.

John OToole is a smallholder on the west coast of Ireland who has been a pioneer of self sufficiency long before it became popular.
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Originally posted 2009-12-07 16:42:51. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Use Wind Turbines – Save Money And Stop Paying Electricity Bills

Build Your Own Wind Turbine — Sat, 29 May 2010 19:17:31 +0000

What would you do if you could get the electric company to give you money? Well, there are ways to make the electric company and ways that you never have to pay them again. Wind energy is the fastest growing means of alternative energy in the world. Since 2000, the electricity output from wind energy has more than quadrupled. The reason wind energy is popular is because it is clean, efficient, renewable and readily available. Wind turbines have been popping up all over the world. It isn’t just homeowners or regular people trying to find alternative energy, but countries and large organizations. There is a demand and people are turning to wind power as a way to meet the alternative energy needs.

Wind power is an interesting idea. There are people who have been installing wind turbines and then taking themselves “off the grid.” This means they disconnect themselves from the electric company and never deal with them again. No bills, no notes, no phone calls. Nothing.

This sounds like a great idea, but it requires installing wind turbines, which can be costly. However, there are ways to make some money back. In the United States, there are many states that offer tax breaks by using alternative energy. You will save money if you qualify and you will make your money back faster. There are also some states that allow homeowners to sell the extra energy back. These are “net metering laws.” When using the wind turbine, the electricity meter will actually spin backwards. Net metering laws allow homeowners and businesses to be billed only for their net energy consumption as opposed to all of the energy they used.

Net metering helps because customers get full value of the electricity they use. People who use wind turbines might need to use the power company still because wind is intermittent. Over 40 states offer some type of net metering law. Residents should take advantage of these. They can get more information by going to http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/resources/maps/netmetering_map.shtml or contacting the Dept. of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

As more people begin using wind turbines and the technology progresses, the cost of getting and installing wind turbines is decreasing. This is good news for anyone looking to use wind turbines. Now, there are other avenues to pursue when looking for alternative energy.

Worldwide, wind energy only accounts for 1 percent of the electricity use. However, there are countries that have taken a bigger role in using wind as a viable solution to meeting alternative energy needs. Denmark uses wind turbines for 19 percent of its electricity productions, Spain and Portugal use nine percent and Germany and Ireland use six percent.

Wind turbines also help the environment. Over the course of the wind turbine’s lifetime, a residential turbine would be equivalent to planting two trees with the amount of carbon dioxide that would be saved. There are many reasons to get on the wind power bandwagon. They are all worth it. If money is the only thing holding you back, consider all the rebates and benefits you can get from owning a wind turbine. You will make your money back in a few years.

Abhishek is an avid Environmentalist and he has got some great Alternative Fuel Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 70 Pages Ebook, “Energy Conservation And Alternative Fuel” from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/643/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

Originally posted 2009-11-26 17:33:35. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Everything you need to know if you are planning to have a residential wind turbine

Build Your Own Wind Turbine — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:23:46 +0000

Lately, advertisements about residential wind turbines, articles about advantages of wind energy, government grants announced for utilising wind energy, opponents of wind turbines, and many more things are flowing into our minds increasingly day by day. Whether you have some basic knowledge about it or you know nothing about it, in this article you will have the chance to know about key facts about wind energy.
We will start from very basics and proceed to more detailed information about wind energy, particularly residential use of wind energy.

What is a wind turbine? How does it work?

A wind turbine is a machine that converts the energy in the wind to electrical energy by means of rotating blades and a generator. Of course the working principles of a wind turbine are much more complicated. They include transmission elements, safety units, controllers etc. The blades rotate by the blowing wind and the rotation is transferred to the generator within the turbine. And this generator is the source of electricity. Then from the generator depending on the configuration of the turbine electricity is fed to the grid or directly to the point of use.
What is the difference between a commercial and a residential wind turbine?
Just their capacities! While a commercial wind turbine can have a capacity of up to 5MW residential wind turbines are generally much smaller, i.e. a few hundred kilowatts maximum.
Why do people consider purchasing them? Isn’t buying electricity from the grid cheaper?

Actually, at the beginning yes. When the investment costs of a wind turbine is considered and reflected over years, for the first couple of years buying the electricity from the grid can be cheaper. However, the aim of using residential wind turbines is not only cheaper electricity. First of all they can be used at places where there is no grid connection. For example, farm houses far from grid connection or special small electrical appliances located in places where no grid exists can make use of small wind turbines for their electricity needs. In addition to these, wind turbines generate “clean energy”. This means that for generating electricity by wind turbines you don’t cause carbon dioxide emission like in many generation processes. Furthermore, in Ireland use of wind turbines for residential needs is also supported by the government and there are grants available for the initial investment. As a final remark, having a wind turbine for part of electricity needs of your house will result in a better Building Energy Rating (BER) report which will eventually increase the market value of your house.
Can wind turbines be used for any house?

No. First of all you have to make sure that there are not much obstacles (other houses, high towers etc.) that block the wind of the turbine. Second, you need to learn how windy your area is. For commercial installations generally measurements are made 6 months-1 year in advance of installation at the exact turbine location but for a small scale turbine you can use the wind statistics published generally by the government offices. Be sure to choose the measurement location closest to your area. For relatively less needs, such as a single appliance, roof-top wind turbines can be also used. Prior to installing a turbine always take the necessary permits that are required in your area.
What if a turbine generates more electricity than required?

Residential wind turbines can be either standalone systems or grid connected systems. If you have enough space to build a larger wind turbine then you can have it grid connected and you can get paid for the electricity you supply to the national grid.
How much can someone save with a residential wind turbine?

Actually, this all depends on your consumption and the capacity of your wind turbine as well as the wind conditions in your site. To give a rough estimation; some studies show that you can decrease your electricity bills up to 80 percent with a residential wind turbine of appropriate size.
What about maintenance of turbines?

Many small wind turbines have a small number of moving parts which make them suitable to use without maintenance for a long time. A wind turbine is expected to have an economic life of 20 years.
Where can I get detailed consultancy about residential wind turbines?

Windturbines is the largest retailer of micro turbines in Ireland, selling and installing over 100 turbines nationwide in 2008. You can visit their website or contact them to get more information about their products and your needs.

John Mahoney is a freelance author who writes about various technology
realated subjects. For more information about John visit his website
www.techstore.ie.

Originally posted 2010-01-13 16:44:46. Republished by Old Post Promoter

ISKRA Wind Turbine suppliers rebrand to Evance – Powering Progress:

Build Your Own Wind Turbine — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:56:47 +0000

Evance: International wind turbine suppliers

The wind power industry is advancing in the exploration and development of better and more efficient ways of converting wind power into useful energy. Primitive techniques of harnessing the power of the wind already existed many centuries ago and today, modern wind turbine suppliers aim to better their designs and technology to meet current and future energy demands.

ISKRA Wind Turbine suppliers recently announced its decision to change the company name to Evance. The company was already established in the wind generator UK market and is fast expanding into the international market. As a leading manufacturer of small wind turbines, ISKRA, now Evance, anticipated a potential trademark dispute concerning the name ISKRA. The company has released a range of reputable wind turbines and a new corporate look and feel suits its rapid international expansion and production of new, innovative small-scale wind turbines.

Evance is an appropriate amalgamation of the terms advance and energy, illustrating Evance’s role as pioneers in the field of renewable energy generation, in particular wind turbine technology. The rebrand was announced earlier this year in May, and the timing of this brand-evolution strategy was carefully calculated to accompany the release of the new smaller, more efficient Evance wind turbine. Evance is confident that their latest wind energy system, called the EVANCE ISKRA R9000, will do well in the international and UK wind generator markets.

EVANCE ISKRA R9000: Less wind power, more energy

The EVANCE ISKRA R9000 is a new 5kW wind turbine that exhibits a variety of high-tech qualities. This wind turbine was carefully designed with the smaller wind market in mind. Some of this small wind turbine’s attractive features include reduced noise level, easy installation, power generating capabilities and efficiency. This small-scale wind turbine can generate the same power as some 6kW turbines, and in certain conditions also surpassing some 10kW turbines.

Evance aims to expand their current wind energy communication platform to reach both the local and international market more effectively. They recently signed up with four new international resellers and the company plans to export at least 50% of their products over the next twelve months. At this stage international wind turbine resellers include countries such as Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Germany and most importantly USA. Evance plans to further grow and expand its supply into on and off grid applications in the U.S, greater Europe and Emerging Market Regions with the best available wind turbines on the market and supported with highest after sales support standards. The UK is emerging as a world leader in the production and supply of wind turbines and Evance’s new ISKRA R9000 sets the highest standard for international and UK wind turbine suppliers.

Small Wind Turbines UK – Evance is pioneering the production of exceptional small scale wind turbines, enabling people all over the world to harness wind energy, and power their future with a clean conscience. The Evance Iskra R9000 Advanced Small Wind Turbine is the result of 10 years of dedicated research and development, and is based on our experience of designing utility small scale turbines

Originally posted 2009-11-02 17:12:57. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Offshore Wind Energy Benefits

Build Your Own Wind Turbine — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:45:23 +0000

Could the answer to high energy bills be blowin’ in the wind? According to some, a strong breeze across the ocean can also mean inexpensive, clean and renewable energy for hundreds of thousands of homes with few drawbacks.

Humans all over the world have been using wind power for thousands of years through windmills and wind farms. But harnessing the power of wind across the ocean could be the wave of the future. Why? Advocates say that in the densely populated coastal regions, where demand for energy is high and land availability is low, offshore projects are necessary. The fact that offshore wind is typically steadier with higher speeds also adds to its appeal.

Globally, offshore wind power generation increased more than fivefold between 2000 and 2007. In fact, five countries – Denmark, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland have already installed offshore wind parks to provide electricity. Germany is close behind with more than 20 projects about to begin.

The benefits of offshore wind seem obvious – it is a renewable resource that can be widely distributed. It’s also an inexpensive and clean form of energy that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions when it displaces fossil-fuel-derived electricity. Despite this, as of today, no offshore wind projects have been built in the United States.

Opponents site the high initial construction costs while others complain that wind farms are noisy eyesores. Advocates agree that the initial price tag can be high, but say the long term savings more than make up for the start-up costs. They add that wind farms are built so far offshore that noise and visual concerns are minimal.

Still, planned offshore wind farms along the East Coast have incited much opposition. A project in Nantucket Sound has been delayed for years by those who worry about the possible influence on marine life, tourism and property values.

But some projects are moving forward. Early last month the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced approval to construct 96 wind turbines located 16-20 miles off the shore of Atlantic City.

A proposed offshore wind park in Delaware will provide Delmarva Power’s residential and small business customers with approximately 29-percent of the energy they use.

But a proposal to build an offshore wind park 12 miles off the coast of Ocean City hasn’t gotten passes the discussion stage, and although Maryland officials have shown some interest, there are no plans to move forward on the issue.

With the Worcester County Comprehensive plan calling for the use of green energy sources and with high fuel and electricity costs and an environment in peril, offshore wind may hold the answers to a better energy plan. More progress must be made to bring it to the forefront, however.

Anita Ferguson Todd has written for radio, television and newspapers since 1988. She is currently the Public Outreach Coordinator for the Coastal Bays Program in Ocean City, Md., where she is responsible for informing residents and tourists about the importance of the local watershed. She also writes a weekly column on coastal bays issues for the Daily Times newspaper.