Wind Generator Blades: The Power of Wind Energy

SD House axes wind energy tax revenue sharing plan (AP via Yahoo! Finance)

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:22:25 +0000

The South Dakota House defeated a bill to give townships a slice of the wind energy tax that now goes to counties for wind farms located within their borders.

U.S. firms working to lower cost of solar energy (McClatchy Newspapers via Yahoo! News)

admin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:30:21 +0000

TOLEDO, Ohio — One piece of the American effort to find a way to make solar energy cheap enough that everyone will want it is unfolding in a modest redbrick building in this Midwestern city once known as one of the nation’s top makers of glass.

Development of wind energy transmission lines important, difficult, speakers say (Midland Reporter-Telegram)

Story Submiter — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:24:51 +0000

Creating additional transmission lines for wind energy in northern and western Texas is vital not only to the development of the industry, but also to the state’s future economy, speakers at a Permian Basin Petroleum Meeting said Tuesday.

Wind Energy…More Than Affordable for the Home

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:26:14 +0000

Wind Turbine Offers Another Clean Alternative

The first usage of wind power dates back more than three thousand years. Windmills, which we all know from literature, were used primarily in the west between 1300 and the late 1800’s. None of this means anything to the modern homeowner, considering a wind turbine as a possible alternative energy source, however. What you do need to know is that wind power is not as expensive to impalement as you might think. This may sound funny, but you must determine first, if it is windy enough where you live, to justify a wind turbine. Many use wind power as a back up to solar, while still others use them both in conjunction, as an alternative energy package.

Just how much energy can a wind turbine produce? Again, we must determine how windy it is where you are planning to install it. This is not a question about whether it is ever windy where you live, it is probably windy during storms, but that is merely an observation about the weather. What you want to know about is the long-term average wind speed for your area, or historic climate data, not day-to-day weather. Obviously it will produce a greater amount of energy the more the small turbine spins.

So what exactly is a small wind turbine. They are designed for individual homes, farms, and small businesses, and are electric generators that utilize wind energy to produce clean, emissions-free renewable power. They are defined as having rated capacities of up to 100 kilowatts. So if you were thinking that one wind generator will power your house, I’m sorry but it won’t. Keep in mind that the wind turbine is simply a collector just like a solar panel is. In this case the collector is the spinning rotor, made up of a number of blades that rotate to turn the electrical generator. Small blades result in a small rotor diameter, which translates into a small collector area, which further translates into small amounts of generated electricity.

Positioning is Very Important

It Must Be High Enough to Catch the Wind
To properly access the wind flow and generate enough electricity, wind turbines are installed on high towers that rise above any trees or surrounding buildings. Your roof top might not be the right place unless a tower is utilized. It is advisable to get your neighbors permission before installing such a structure. For whatever reason you chose not to have a high enough tower, it won’t matter when it comes to generating adequate energy. It is better not to install a wind turbine in the first place, rather than to not have it high enough. There is simply little energy in low winds that you can convert into usable electricity.

Is it better to have many wind turbines or one larger one? To answer this question, you first have to determine what it is exactly that you plan to power. Are we talking about an all electric home, or perhaps one that uses other energy sources such as natural gas? Considering that most homes do have more than one energy source, the average household consumes about 1,000 kWh of electricity per month, or about 12,000 kWh per year. Depending on your wind resource and the tower height required to get the wind turbine above the trees, a wind system designed to generate that kind of electric capacity would have to have a very large rotor. The price tag could easily exceed $50,000.00 to install. Another option could be to have multiple smaller turbines. This of course would depend on the space you have available to erect the amount of towers needed.

Smaller is Better

Limiting the Size Can Be Very Cost Effective
Even if you decided to go with several smaller wind turbines, the cost could still run you about $12-$15,000. Yes it is a far cry from $50,000, but it is still a pretty penny. Depending of course what your electric bill is currently, you must determine how long it will take to pay for it. There is of course another option that, depending on your situation, can save you thousands of dollars. I am referring to making this a do-it-yourself project. There are kits available that will cut your cost in half. Even better than that there are online instructional guides that will walk you through the entire process step by step. Small wind turbine system can be constructed for literally pennies on the dollar in this manner.
For those of you who don’t have either the time or the inclination to do it all yourself, I might suggest that you take advantage of the current work shortage by hiring a couple of competent handymen to construct the entire project. I bet with the right instructions, you could bring it in for a tenth of the original estimate.

My own extensive research has helped me narrow down the best of the best instructional guides, complete with blueprints, photos, for that do-it-yourself wind and/or solar power project you might be considering. Obviously, I can’t go into great detail in this article, but if I have piqued your interest, you can get all the facts of this or many other ideas on how to go green at my site Possibly GREEN. There you’ll find the right ways to live a greener life, including information on how to convert your car inexpensively, and even find green jobs in your area.

At 57, I consider myself to be a Jack Of All Trades And Master Of Nothing. I was a struggling actor for 25 years. During that time I learned a little about a lot of things, and would like to pass along some of that knowledge. I live in California with my beautiful wife and a menagerie of pets.

Originally posted 2009-11-10 16:44:01. Republished by Old Post Promoter

DIY Solar Generators – 3 Models, Including the Amazing Solar Stirling Generator

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:26:13 +0000

There is little to beat DIY solar generators in the homebuilt popularity stakes these days, and for good reason. Economic and environmental pressure is pushing many homeowners into a situation where they simply have no choice but to cut expenses.

What better area to do this than in home electricity on which we are so dependent on a daily basis.

This article runs through a couple of relatively practical options in the DIY solar generator field – some of them more realistic saving options than others, depending on a number of factors.

The first of these DIY solar generators is sometimes called a flat plate collector. In this system you will find liquid-filled pipes which are sealed and fixed between sunlight-absorbing plates.

During the course of the day the liquid heats up and is circulated via pipes through the water tank of the household. This process heats up the tank water. The effectiveness of this fairly simple process depends to a great degree on the minimization of heat loss as the heated liquid flows towards the household water tank. As an indirect circulation system it can work well under freezing conditions.

The next DIY solar generator is a beast of a different kind, but becoming increasingly popular among the more serious do-it-yourself enthusiasts – especially those with milling and workshop machine experience: it is the amazing, quiet, and very effective Stirling solar generator.

Just a bit of background first about this incredible engine. It was first built around 1816 as an alternative to the popular, but often dangerous steam engine of the time.

Stirling engines work on the basis of temperature differentials in the air chamber. The air (or other gas such as helium) inside expands and contracts and in the process drives a power piston.

The beauty of these engines is that they can be powered by just about any external heat source, and some models will start chugging along at a temperature differential of less than 5 or 6 degrees.

This is where the solar Stirling comes into play. Stirling engines can be set up to work very effectively in converting solar energy via a parabolic dish or solar concentrator. They can reach efficiencies of 25% or even higher.

The downside is that not everyone will feel up to building their own Stirling solar generator, and to make this a truly DIY solar generator they will probable need to be made availabe in a kit format more generally accessible to homeowners.

And this is where the DIY solar generators of the third kind come into the picture: solar cell panel systems. Homebuilt solar panels are gaining a great deal of popularity, thanks to their many benefits, not the least being that just about anyone enthusiastic about saving costs – and saving the environment – should feel comfortable building them.

Solar cell systems work on the photovoltaic principal which converts sunlight into electricity. They are efficient enough to make economic sense, and a relatively small array of panels can supply sufficient electricity for a medium home.

There are excellent, detailed plans, guides and instructions available, aimed at the first-time builder who wants to be taken through a step-by-step process, with clear explanations at every turn, such as that found at www.energy-saver-diy.com.

Visit Energy-Saver-DIY.com for a great introduction to solar power, detailed plans for building your own solar panels, color diagrams and pictures, a guide showing how to fix the solar panels to your roof, electrical wiring plans to safely wire up your solar panels and a solar calculator to show you how many panels you will need.

Originally posted 2009-11-02 17:13:01. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Can Home Solar Energy Systems Save The Planet

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:26:12 +0000

First off, the planet does not need saving, but we need to save ourselves. The Earth has been here a lot longer. Yes, we are doing damage, but the result could be the Earth wiping us out, and not the other way around. The question still comes can we do our bit, and use home solar energy systems to create more balance?

It may be bold statements, however, the fact remains, and the Earth has been here a lot longer than us. It has gone through having reptiles as big as houses, and has also had an impact which made our Moon, and also an impact which killed off the dinosaurs. Through all these the life on Earth changed, but the Earth remained.

So, what is the issue, and what has home solar energy systems got to do with this equation. Now, with all these statements, they are my own beliefs and do not necessarily mean how it is. The issue more important is the damage we are doing to life on Earth.

In the UK around the 1950’s, was smoggy. This smog was difficult for people. Life continued, but there had to be changes. We just could not pump out all our rubbish into the air; we had to change to make things cleaner, and more conscious of the effects of our causes.

Power around the world, and I mean energy, as in electricity, is generated mainly by fossil fuels. We use it in the car, and is what is behind what happens when you have lighting in your home. This fossil fuel is powering your monitor right now! The smoke that was produced to make that fuel can not be seen and is effecting the natural balance in the world.

If you consider blowing smoke into a cup, and turning it over on the table, you will find that the smoke remains. The world is such a place. Everything is contained within, so unless it gets into the ground or sea, it will be in the air. Trees are what keep a lot of the carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

Home solar power systems are a solution to our problems. With home solar energy systems, you can cut out a lot of your footprint. Every year your household is part of the cause of that problem. The only way we can break out of that cycle, and learn as was done in the UK, one by one, we will provide a more balanced environment.

Getting residential solar energy systems for the home is possible only in relatively sunny countries. So, getting home solar power systems for your home is unlikely in the UK or other countries that don’t get the full strength of the Sun.

Residential solar energy systems don’t just have to be in the form of generating electricity for your home. In the East there are many countries that utilize the power of the Sun to heat up water. On top of houses, you will find the heating system that has water pumping through, getting the full amplified heat of the Sun. The result is that you have hot boiling water, almost for free, when you exclude the buying the solar water heating system.

You can make a difference. The benefits are immense, and there is much power in generating your own power to power your home. You get constant power for free, there are no brownouts and you can also resell your excess electric to the electricity companies!

Looking for the pros and cons of solar energy? Are you looking for home solar energy systems for your home or solar panles?
USA Today Articles

Originally posted 2009-11-06 16:17:29. Republished by Old Post Promoter

A Brief Description Of The Solar Heating Panel

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:26:11 +0000

The heating needs of modern homes are quite considerable which in turn obviously means that if you are depending on conventional heating methods then it follows that your monthly electricity bills will be pretty high. What’s more, demand for energy continues to rise thereby making the prices go up and this is mainly because energy plants are not able to provide the required amount of energy. States like California exemplify this shortfall in energy and it is a state that is also a great place where use of solar energy can help offset some of the shortfalls.

Essential Item Of Equipment

The solar heating panel is an essential item of equipment that drives the entire solar heating systems that in turn will prove to be especially beneficial for people living in areas where there is abundance of sunlight. Even in a country like the United States there are many places that lend them well to use of solar heating systems and the same is the case with many north European countries.

With the help of items of equipment such as the solar heating panel you can capture the rays from the sun which can then be used to convert heat into thermal energy. A solar heating panel is really a collection of different solar cells as well as solar thermal collectors that together and individually can be used to capture maximum amount of the sun’s inexhaustible energy.

However, a solar heating panel is not the same as the solar photovoltaic panel because the former is not used to provide any electricity to the rest of the solar heating system. Nevertheless, both the solar heating panel and the solar photovoltaic panel provide similar functions in that they both capture energy from the sun.

The solar heating panel works by first of all ensuring that it is placed where there is abundance of direct sunlight which of course means that the panel can be located on a roof or on a wall that faces the sun. Each solar heating panel has its complement of solar cells that help in converting solar energy into thermal energy while the solar thermal collectors concentrates, with the help of parabolic mirrors, the energy to metal tubes. Then, the heat is stored in hot water tanks from where the stored heat can be used to heat up the home.

At one time, most solar water heating panels were made out of silicon but the increasing costs of silicon have made it necessary for manufacturers of such panels to turn to using other materials. This includes panels made from plastic which works out to be a cheaper option as well as an option that provides the same functionality as did the panels made from silicon.

Originally posted 2009-11-04 17:13:51. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Town of Tonawanda considers solar energy moratorium (The Buffalo News)

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:26:10 +0000

Town of Tonawanda lawmakers are calling for a temporary ban on solar energy facilities as planners work on a local law to regulate them. Related posts:

Plans to establish Ireland’s national wind energy academy in Donegal (Irish Examiner)

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:59:30 +0000

A NATIONAL wind energy academy is to be established in Donegal as part of the county’s efforts to market itself as the number one area in the country for wind energy.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy: REVEALED

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:31:59 +0000

There are Advantages and Disadvantages for Building Your Own Wind Energy System. Discover What They Are!

Like any other form of energy, wind energy has immediate and obvious advantages but also some drawbacks. Therefore any decision to install wind energy generators must take into account these different factors.

Wind machines and wind turbines can effectively generate energy as electricity for free as long as the wind is available. Because wind is free and renewable, wind turbines generate clean and renewable energy, which already gives it an immense advantage compared to be contaminating fossil fuel plants that have already done so much damage to the earth’s ecology. In addition modern technology means that wind turbines can automatically adjust their blades to maximize the use of wind even if the direction changes.

In different parts of the U.S., large wind energy installations are being created. In Texas for example the Horse Hollow wind energy center is already powering more than 220,000 homes in the neighborhood. This is done through the 421 wind turbines that are in the park. In addition to this, testing of wind turbines and wind machines can be done in places such as the wind park just off the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It is the first of its kind and likely to be a forerunner of many others.

The immense advantage of wind power that many people see is its cheapness once the initial installation has been made and the fact that using it does not depend on any imported fuel. This is a big advantage compared to fossil fuels such as oil, which the U.S. imports heavily from other countries and therefore must pay for with a considerable part of the national budget.

Wind energy therefore is independent of any particular producer and available to anyone in the country who wishes to use it. Because it is not generated by any particular mechanism specific to any particular country, but rather by the overall effect of the sun’s rays falling on our planet and the way that the earth continually turns on its axis, wind energy is therefore a truly democratic means of generating electricity.

The cost of electricity for wind turbines can be as little as 4 to 6 cents per kilowatt-hour. In making this calculation it is necessary to take into account the financing for the initial installation of the project and also the site selection in terms of the amount of wind available and therefore the amount of electricity that can be generated. However together with other renewable energy of such as solar energy wind energy is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy anywhere on earth.

In farms and ranches where wind is abundantly available, wind turbine towers can be installed to satisfy a continual demand for low cost electricity. Individual power suppliers also come to business arrangements with farmers renting a few square yards of land to be able to erect towers and generate electricity.

It is perhaps the initial cost of wind turbines, which is the main factor in any financial calculation. Although the initial cost has been reduced over the years, it is still a major factor in terms of installing wind turbines compared with conventional generators. For this reason fossil fuel may still attract investment for some cases.

Wind power is also clearly dependent on the availability of the wind itself. Sites need to be chosen where there is as continual a supply of wind as possible. It should also be remembered that natural phenomena such as tsunamis can have dramatic effects on the weather patterns of any area and therefore of the wind supply and velocity.

Because wind parks need a lot of wind and because towns and cities are often constructed in more sheltered areas there is also the problem of making such renewable energy available to city dwellers. Often the installation of electric cables to carry the electricity from the source to the destination is not a profitable activity.

Environmentally, wind turbines to need to make progress in terms of both their appearance, which can be a blot on the landscape and also the noise that they make. Environmentalists are concerned that the harm of the wind turbines may be a distinct disturbing factor on the surrounding ecology.

Jim Martin is a researcher, inventor, home energy consultant and author of the #1 best-selling e-book, “Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy”. To Learn More about Jim Martin

Originally posted 2009-11-02 18:53:46. Republished by Old Post Promoter

Wind Generator Blades: The Power of Wind Energy

SD House axes wind energy tax revenue sharing plan (AP via Yahoo! Finance)

Related Reading:

U.S. firms working to lower cost of solar energy (McClatchy Newspapers via Yahoo! News)

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Development of wind energy transmission lines important, difficult, speakers say (Midland Reporter-Telegram)

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Wind Energy…More Than Affordable for the Home

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DIY Solar Generators – 3 Models, Including the Amazing Solar Stirling Generator

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Can Home Solar Energy Systems Save The Planet

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A Brief Description Of The Solar Heating Panel

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Town of Tonawanda considers solar energy moratorium (The Buffalo News)

Plans to establish Ireland’s national wind energy academy in Donegal (Irish Examiner)

Related Reading:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy: REVEALED

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