Wind Turbine for You

The cost of buying a wind turbine depends on several factors. It is important to note that the market for wind turbines is still relatively small, making wind turbine prices a lot more than what the technology and manufacturing costs are expected to be in the future. The prices are estimated to go down once there is improved competition in the market of wind generator manufacturers.

These machines range micro turbines with a capacity of 50 kilowatts to large turbines with capacities in megawatts. Naturally, the price will go up as the turbine capacity increases. Another classification is according to the turbine environment. There are turbines for low wind areas that have a large rotor and there are turbines for high wind areas with small rotors. Low wind turbines cost more than high wind units since they have to be a lot more efficient because of the absence of high wind speeds helping increase electricity generation.

Wind turbine prices are not directly proportional to their power rating. There is not much difference in the labor and construction costs of 100kW and 500kW turbines. For commercial wind turbines, the cost is usually around $1 million to $2 million for every megawatt of nameplace capacity. Small scale wind turbines, on the other hand, cost around $2,500 to $5,000 per kilowatt of installed nameplate capacity. For an average household, which requires a 10kW unit, this would mean that the total costs will range from $25,000 to $50,000.

However, there are very small ones (1kW – 2kW) that are available from $800 upwards. These turbines come with a low start up speed and torque to provide optimum power output in regular conditions. Although they may not provide for luxurious power usage for an average household, they can pretty much meet some of your electricity needs throughout the year. These are ideal for consumers living in remote areas. Most small wind generator suppliers charge no more than $300 for shipping.

The downside is the rising costs of wind machines. One would normally expect prices to go down as technology became more advanced and available, but statistics show that turbine prices have increased more than 70% for land-based turbines and almost 50% for offshore wind turbines. The price hike has made offshore wind turbines cost a half and three million dollars per megawatt of capacity, and land based turbines, two million dollars per MW.

Just like the solar energy industry, shortage of commodity has contributed to rising prices for the wind energy industry. The silver lining in the story is that an incredible increase in demand for turbines has contributed to rising costs. There are not enough manufacturers to make enough turbines, or make them fast enough. Wind energy has finally been discovered by the masses as well as investors. It is clear that the wind industry will become a very profitable venture in the not-so-far future, and companies are plunging into the opportunity of being there as it happens.

Efficient Wind Generator

A wind turbine is a mechanism that has a machine that rotates to convert the winds kinetic energy to produce mechanical energy. A windmill is an example of this. Windmills have long been used for industrial and agricultural purposes. Its mechanism serves the purpose of energizing a pump to bring up water or for grain-grinding. If a wind turbine is used to generate electricity or mechanical power, then that machine is called a wind generator. A wind generator may be of great use to provide power to homes, schools, offices, and more.

In the late 19th century, a lot of windmills were put up in Western America. The windmills were used to pump water to supply farms, ranches, and gardens. Electrical wind mechanisms where used for a short while by the 1900s before cheaper grid power was finally supplied to rural areas. European countries used wind generators to supply electricity by 1910.

Wind is caught by the wind generator that turns moving air into power that is run by an electric generator that gives of electric current. There are two types of this type of generator: the horizontal axis and the vertical axis. Nowadays, modern materials, electronics, aerodynamics, and engineering are incorporated to have these wind machines function. Because they can generate power that can provide enough electricity, small businesses and homes have begun using them to save up on power expenses.

Wind generators are made up of the following components: a rotor, electrical generator, speed control mechanism, and tower. This new power source is already being used in many parts of America. Since there are a lot of good geographical sites in the United States where good wind passes through, a lot are beginning to see the benefits of using these machines in their homes. Numerous businessmen and homeowners prefer to have wind and the other types of renewable energy to replace the conventional power source. This is because wind is free and renewable therefore it is an endless supply. It is clean, safe, and none-polluting.

Wind Turbines

A wind turbine is a machine which uses the kinetic energy of wind and converts it into mechanical energy for various purposes. The mechanical energy produced can either be used directly by machines for various purposes or can be converted to electricity. If the turbine serves the first purpose, it is called a windmill. A wind turbine using mechanical energy for electricity is popularly called a wind generator.

The use of wind for purposeful activity is not new to man. As early as 200 B.C., Persians employed wind machines for various tasks. For over 5 millennia, wind power has been used for propelling boats and ships. Given the exploration and discovery of fossil fuels, the potential of wind energy was largely abandoned and has only recently been revived. Today, wind energy is used for electricity, pumping of water, grinding stones, etc. Windmills used for pumping water are better called wind pumps. The most extensive use of wind pumps is seen in Australia and southern African countries.

In fact, the most useful of wind machines, the wind turbine, have been developed very recently. In comparison to fossil fuel power plants, which generate hundreds of MW of electricity on an average, a large wind turbine can only generate a few MW. However, the technological development of wind machines is gaining rapid support and momentum, and within a few years, wind power will be able to generate a considerable amount of power and hopefully come in as a relief from the growing scarcity of fossil fuel power.

It is not surprising that generators are being looked at as the new alternative energy source, since fuel prices are hiking and reserves are running out. There are many areas that can become fully dependent on wind power for their energy need owing to their windy conditions. One such area is Midwestern United States.

Germany leads the international wind power generation with over 22,000 MW in the year 2007, followed by United States with a production of almost 17,000 MW. Percentage wise, almost 7% of electricity consumption in Germany is wind electricity, 0.77% in US and 7.9% in Spain. India is a rising wind power consumer with 1.9% (8,000 MW) power consumption in the form of wind electricity.

20% of Denmark’s electricity is of this type. There are many prominent wind turbine manufacturers from Denmark. This could be seen as a result of a commitment it made in 1970s to use wind power for generation of half of its overall power consumption.

They are no longer limited to large-scale power consumption with the rise of a popular production in the form of small wind turbines. These small wind turbines provide for electrical consumption on a residential level. They are particularly useful for homes in remote locations which are not served by utilities.

The growing popularity of wind turbines cannot be alienated from its potential low cost associated with its growth in popularity. Wind electricity could be very cheap to produce. These turbines require very little maintenance, and they can cut electricity costs by more than half. Hopefully, wind turbines will outnumber fossil fuel plants in the coming future and pave a way for a safe and healthy Earth.