Discussions
Your Questions About Wind Turbine
David asks…
How to model wind turbine blades on Solidworks?
Building a small wind turbine for a school project and was wondering how to model the turbine blades on Solidworks. I was intending to make the blades out of pipe to give the curvature already.
admin answers:
I’m not sure about using Solidworks unless that is a requirement of your course. But if it isn’t the blades are simple to fabricate without any special drawings. Small diameter turbines don’t have any problem with vibration, gyroscopic and centrifugal forces that large blades suffer from. But because of the small area that is swept and the quick radius turns of a small diameter, it is better to use multiple blades that almost fill the disc area similar to water pumping farm windmills. With a small windmill you don’t have much area to get the mill moving, so multiple blades ( 8 or so) increases the starting forces
http://www.reuk.co.uk/PVC-Wind-Turbine-Blades.htm.
Susan asks…
How long does it take a wind turbine to pay for itself?
Just an average size wind turbine in a wind farm.
Managed to find the answer myself, The average wind farm in the UK will pay back the energy used in its manufacture within six to eight months, this compares favourably with coal or nuclear power stations, which take about six months.
admin answers:
Hi
The payback period depends on so many things i.e. Cost of windmill, realisation per unit sale of electricity, mode of financing, location etc.
So people have different views. Variation is too large 3 to 8 years.
You may like to refer to following –
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=948
http://www.google.co.in/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENIN358&q=payback+period+of+wind+turbine&btnG=Google+Search&meta=lr%3D&aq=f&oq=
Good luck.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Generators Australia
Mary asks…
I want to know the output of the turbines which functions under the action of the wind, and formulates it calc
For example solar towers thermics(solar chimney), as in Australia 1000m; Spain 750 m, I board desired to know the detaile formula to calculate the output of its turbine, to apply to a prototype for example of size different. Thank you very much.
admin answers:
So much will depend on the design and mounting of the turbine generator set, that I don’t believe you will find a good answer. You can look on the Internet and find the stated output of several different turbines available on the market.
Nancy asks…
How might tidal energy be used in the future?
admin answers:
>
Tidal power can be used as a means of electricity generation achieved by capturing the energy contained in moving water mass due to tides. Two types of tidal energy can be extracted: kinetic energy of currents arising between ebbing and surging tides and potential energy from the difference in height (or head) between high and low tides. The former method – generating energy from tidal currents – is considered much more feasible today than building ocean-based dams or barrages, and many coastal sites worldwide are being examined for their suitability to produce tidal (current) energy.
The extraction of potential energy involves building a barrage and creating a tidal lagoon. The barrage traps a water level inside a basin. Head is created when the water level outside of the basin or lagoon changes relative to the water level inside. The head is used to drive turbines. In any design this leads to a decrease of tidal range inside the basin or lagoon, implying a reduced transfer of water between the basin and the sea. This reduced transfer of water accounts for the energy produced by the scheme.
Tidal power is classified as a renewable energy source, because tides are caused by the orbital mechanics of the solar system and are considered inexhaustible within a human timeframe. The root source of the energy comes from the slow deceleration of the Earth’s rotation. The Moon gains energy from this interaction and is slowly receding from the Earth. Tidal power has great potential for future power and electricity generation because of the total amount of energy contained in this rotation. Tidal power is reliably predictable (unlike wind energy and solar power).
The efficiency of tidal power generation in ocean dams largely depends on the amplitude of the tidal swell, which can be up to 10 m (33 ft) where the periodic tidal waves funnel into rivers and fjords. Amplitudes of up to 17 m (56 ft) occur for example in the Bay of Fundy, where tidal resonance amplifies the tidal waves.
As with wind power, selection of location is critical for a tidal power generator. The potential energy contained in a volume of water is
E = xMg
where x is the height of the tide, M is the mass of water and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Therefore, a tidal energy generator must be placed in a location with very high-amplitude tides. Suitable locations are found in the former USSR, USA, Canada, Australia, Korea, the UK and other countries (see below).
Several smaller tidal power plants have recently started generating electricity in Norway. They all exploit the strong periodic tidal currents in narrow fjords using sub-surface water turbines.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Indiana
Daniel asks…
Gas Saving ?
Ok! I’ve got a 94 Mercury Sable that is getting about 20/29 MPG. The Car is in really good shape Mechanically. Other than the fact that I need to pick up a New Radiator for it cause of a small crack on top of the Radiator. Which I keep an eye on how much Antifreeze is in there. Until I can throw a New Radiator in. But, Basically would it be better to put a bunch of Gas Saving Stuff into it or Just go get a New Vehicle that gets a higher MPG? Gas is $3.95 in my area of Indiana.
admin answers:
You won’t get much money for your car, and it would take an awfully long time to recoup what you spend on a new car, by getting better fuel mileage. You can hypermile that Sable and get even better mileage, and drive it forever.
Tom and Ray Magliozzi (Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers on NPR’s “Car Talk”) will tell you that the money-smartest thing to do is to buy a car and drive it until it disintegrates from old age. Then start over. So don’t buy a new car, just fix this one.
There are no “gas-saving” products that work. It’s all BOGUS – you’ll mess up sensors, or clog fuel filters, or something. So skip the vortex generators and the “engine re-plating” pills that go into the tank, all that junk. ‘Cause that’s all it is, junk. DO, however, run the occasional bottle of fuel injector cleaner through your tank. It helps, it works, and it can improve your mileage.
GAS-SAVING TIPS: keep up with the oil changes. Switch to full-synthetic Mobil 1 or Castrol Synthetic – it makes a difference.
Check and/or change the automatic transmission fluid in your tranny. Have this done AT THE DEALER – quickie joints may not have the right additives in their one-size-fits-all fluid for your tranny. That’d be bad. We want you to be happy with your car for a long, long time.
TIRES: pump them up to the maximum printed on the tire’s sidewall. Ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations that’re on that little plate inside the driver’s door – Ford recommended way too little for the Explorer and look where all those folks wound up – upside down! Top ’em up. Keep them topped.
INSIDE: crash diet. How much junk is riding around in your car that you don’t need? There should be the basics: quart of oil, spare tire, jack. Fire extinguisher and flares, first-aid kit. Everything else is optional. Every ounce you drag around that doesn’t need to go somewhere, you’re burning fuel to give it a free ride. How smart is that?
ROOF RACK: take it off. Just the crossbars. Unless you’re taking your mountain bike with you everywhere you go, that thing is inducing turbulence up for no reason. If you never rooftop anything, you’ll never miss it. If you ARE taking your bike places, get a hitch-mount carrier and put the drag-inducing bike in your slipstream.
SLOW DOWN: Leave for work fives minutes earlier and ease off the gas. 5mph on the road at highway speeds makes a huge difference. Astonishing, really. Have a tendency to creep back up? Use the cruise control. Then all you have to worry about is maintaining safe spacing and when to exit the freeway. Learn to ignore the frustrated people behind you. They should’ve left earlier, if they have to speed to get somewhere on time. No cruise control? Get one aftermarket and install it yourself. It isn’t hard: I’ve done two, both times for improved fuel economy.
ADJUST THE NUT BEHIND THE WHEEL: (hint: that’s you) Your driving habits make all the difference. The only thing I’ve changed on my truck is the tire pressure, but all my habits are completely different. The EPA says my truck should get 22mpg on average, I’m getting 34. You can do it too. It’s called hypermiling, and it’s easy. Go to Ecomodder.com, or CleanMPG.com for more ideas.
NOTE: early research suggests hypermilers get fewer accidents, and their cars tend to last longer, due to their increased habit of situational awareness and gentler driving practices.
Michael asks…
What are the reasons for the Amish community in America living like people did hundreds of years ago?
I picked up an internet buzz that people are living without electricity and in really old fashioned clothes. They don’t have cars and whenever there is a drive by shooting it’s like clip clop clip clop clip clop clip clop BANG BANG clip clop clip clop clip clop..
These people are religious and religion has something to do with how they live, apparently.
None of them are going to answer because they don’t have the internet but why do they live like this? Does anyone have any knowledge about them?
Serious answers only please.
GO!
@ Taz, don’t do that again or I’ll block you. I can’t be bothered to read through a wall of drivel, it just ruins the question.
admin answers:
I use to live near some Amish-man. I bought a 6 bedroom Amish house. There are many people who call themselves Plain People. I use to have a horse and wagon and no electricity so to speak. I did have and still do use a solar panel. Many Amish use solar. Some drive cars and some do not. It depends on what sect they are. The ones I lived by didn’t belong to any sect. They were too men living alone, father and son. The mother and daughter and brothers all moved to Indiana. These men made sorghum molasses, raised organic foods. Sold goats milk and honey. I too raised goats and made cheese. Riding along a flint covered road at night with the horses shoes causing sparks to fly in the full moon light is something I will never forget.
The Amish speak their own language. A mix of German and Pennsylvania Dutch.
They follow the Martin Luther doctrine.
The women and men dress modestly. Usually they each only have 3 sets of clothes. One for work, one for Sunday, and one extra. Married men have a beard and single men do not in most sects. The 2 Amishmen I lived by wore their beards long and they had mustaches.
There was a group of Amish named Swartz who owned a buggy shop. They sold kerosene, barn lamps and other useful items. They had a band saw attached to a treadle pedal. A bicycle was used to power a paint sprayer. They own wind generators. These people are self sufficient. And so was I. Compost toilets, water cisterns. Solar panels, green houses.
I could go on and on.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Generators Manufacturers
Charles asks…
What are some companies that build wind turbines?
Name all the companies that you can think of that put together and install wind turbines.
Also, bonus points if you can name a few companies that manufacture the indivdual components.
Components like:
* generator
* tower
* blades
* gearbox
* power electronics / control system
admin answers:
AAER Systems (Canada)
Acciona Energy (Spain)
Aerostar Wind Turbines (USA)
AN Windenergie (Germany) – bought by Siemens in 2005, now Siemens Wind Power GmbH
A.Ayvazian & Associates (Iran)
Bard Engineering (Germany)
Bergey (USA)
Bonus Energy (Denmark), now Siemens – bought by Siemens in 2004
Clipper Windpower (USA)
Conenergy now Powerwind (Germany/USA)
DeWind (Germany)
Dragonfly Industries Inc (USA)
Emergya Wind Technologies (EWT) (Netherlands)
Ecotècnia (Spain)
Enercon (Germany)
Entegrity Wind Systems (Canada)
Eozen (Spain)
Fuhrländer (Germany)
Gamesa Eólica (Spain)
General Electric (USA)
Goldwind (China)
Harakosan (Netherlands, Japan)
Heartland energy solutions (USA)
HelixWind (USA)
Impsa (Argentina)
Jacobs, now Wind turbine industries (USA)
Lagerwey (Netherlands)
Leitwind (Italy)
Kenersys (India)
Kestrel Wind Turbines (South Africa)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan)
Multibrid GmbH (Germany)
MTorres (Spain)
NEG Micon, now part of Vestas
Neo-Aerodynamic (USA)
Nordex (Germany)
Norwin (Denmark)
Nordic Windpower (USA)
PacWind (USA)
Proven Energy Wind Turbines (UK – Global supplier of 2.5kW, 6kW & 15kW)
REpower (Germany) – bought by Suzlon in 2007
Scanwind (Norway)
Siemens (Denmark / Germany)
Sinovel (China – PRC)
Southwest Windpower (USA)
SRC Vertical (Russia)
Suzlon (India)
TMA
Turbowinds
Unison (Korea)
Vensys (Germany)
Vestas (Denmark), the world’s largest manufacturer of wind turbines
Vergnet (France)
WES Canada (Canada/US)
Windflow (New Zealand)
WinWinD (Finland)
Ruth asks…
What do you call a structure that captures the wind and turns it into energy?
A. Windcatcher
B. Energy Blow
C. Windmill
D. Wind generator
E. Wind Sock
admin answers:
It is properly a “wind turbine.”
Vestas, GE, and Gamesa are the three largest manufacturers, and they all call them wind turbines.
A “wind catcher” would catch wind, but not use it to make electricity.
A Energy Blow isn’t describing anything.
A Windmill manufactures SOMETHING with wind–but it may not be electricity. (It might pump water, as in a Dutch Windmill.)
A ‘wind generator’ would make wind. (Think grandpa!)
A “wind sock” is used to determine only the direction of the wind.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbines For Home Use
Steven asks…
How can I efficiently use a car alternator to power a home made wind turbine?
I have built my own home made wind turbine. How can I use a car alternator to effciently generate electricity? Any other DIY wind turbine info really welcome.
admin answers:
First off the turbine would power the alternator.
Doesn’t the turbine have a shaft that spins? Mount a pulley on the shaft, use a fan belt to connect the alternator.
Robert asks…
Where can I purchase a residential wind turbine, preferably horizontal in the Chicago area?
I just moved into a split level home in a suburb of Chicago. I was thinking of either installing solar panels or horizontal wind turbines on the roof of my porch. Any help in finding companies for this would be appreciated, I am more interested in wind then solar being that Chicago is pretty far north (little sun in the winter) and known for our wind.
admin answers:
Search and network on the tree hugger and ‘mother earth’ websites. They will probably have info on residential wind turbines. Companies aren’t really interested in marketing residential turbines because the money is in commercial energy production and that is where the resources go. But their are probably some made in the garage type industry out there that has what you need. And good luck finding something in the horizontal variety.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Jobs
Betty asks…
is it possible for people to operate wind turbines almost like peddle bikes?
what i am saying is to make a smaller power generating wind turbine and replace the propellers with a bike…..if this was possible how much power/jobs could this open up?
admin answers:
Hey Bret, Blamay is quite right. We’re assuming you ultimately want to generater electricity by peddeling something, is that correct? Some years ago we built one ourselves using a car alternator. Turns out that just would never work. A car alternator is horribly inefficient, needs to be continuously excited by battery power to generate a magnetic field, and once it is up to speed, it creates huge drag on what little torque a human can bear to get the battery voltage up to where it needs to be. What works much better is an electric scooter motor, inexpensive, permanent magnets, ball bearing movement and lower RPM requirements.
Check out the website below, they make a stand you can strap your bike into, the wheel turns the shaft of a small scooter motor/generator while you peddle. The faster you peddle, the more power you generate.
What you have to understand is that a healthy human being exerting around 75% power is only putting out about 1/4 to 1/3 horsepower. Even in a perfect world, that only equates to about 170 watts. Most people aren’t going to do that for more than 20 or 30 minutes a day, so if you do the math, you’re much farther ahead just purchasing a small 50 watt solar panel and letting it do the work for you, and you don’t need space in the garage to run it. I still think it’s a great idea, that’s why we have one here. Sometimes I’ll pay the kids a nickle to peddle it for 15 minutes if it’s cloudy out for a few days, but you’ll never make a “Ton” of power with even a thousand of these things, they are more a novelty, useful for education and games mainly. If you really want to learn more about renewable energy, check out some of the sites I’ve included below, or click on my avatar and check out some other questions and answers we have done recently. Take care Bret, Rudydoo
Jenny asks…
What type of engineers work in the field of sustainable energy?
Im considering doing a Building Services and Sustainable Engineering degree, what kind of jobs do you think it will open up for me?
Will i be able to work with sustainable/renewable energies, such as solar panels, wind turbines etc? or would i need a different type of engineering course to do that?
Any more information on engineering would be more than helpfull, im not 100% sure whether i want to do an engineering degree or not.
thanks
admin answers:
Hi,
From my own knowledge, jobs open for Sustainable Engineering degree are Electrical Engineer, Project Engineer, Project Admin., Project Manager etc.
Some consultancies provide solar installation courses, but I am not sure if it is what you want to do.
And sustainable engineering is a vast concept, you may need to choose your major orientation later, like wind energy, bioenergy, or solar…
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Generators
Maria asks…
How do i make a Wind Turbine Generator?
Hi, i need to make a wind turbine generator for my science fair project. Links will be appreciated if you know a website with step-to-step diy. thanks so much!
admin answers:
Simple. Jst take a dynamo and a toy fan. Take the wings of this fan and fix it into the shaft of dynamo. Place the fan on the direction of blowing wind.
Michael asks…
Please can you explain why the output voltage of a wind turbine generator is proportional to the angular speed?
Please can you explain why the output voltage of a wind turbine generator is linearly proportional to the angular speed of the rotor based on Faraday’s induction law and the definition of magnetic flux?
Please help me i cant find it anywhere
admin answers:
Faraday’s Law states that the voltage produced in a coil, moving relative to a magnetic field, is directly proportional to the number of turns in the coil times the change in magnetic flux per unit time.
V = -n (dB/dt)
In a rotating machine, obviously the number of turns in the coil is a constant. Also, the magnetic field in permanent magnet generators can be considered a constant for this purpose.
What changes when a wind turbine rotor speeds up (or slows down) is the rate of change of magnetic flux per unit time. When the rotor speeds up, the dt in the denominator becomes smaller (it takes less time for the rotor to move a fixed angle). Therefore, the voltage must increase as the speed increases. Conversely, as the rotor slows down, it takes more time for the rotor to move a some fixed angle and the dt in the denominator becomes larger, causing the voltage to drop. If the rotor is stationary then it effectively takes an infinite amount of time for the rotor to move a given angle. If dt becomes infinity, obviously, V becomes zero.
For the pedants out there:
I am aware that I played a little loose with dt vs. Delta t, but for the purposes here I think it illustrates the point well enough
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Your Questions About Wind Generators Ebay
David asks…
what happen if the generator continue rotating and there is no one using its generated power?
I just want to make a home made wind mill and I’m afraid it will explode if I’m not home and it continue generating and no one is consuming the generated power.
thanks.
admin answers:
Hi
Some seem to heat the house hot water if the power is not needed.See ebay listings
Betty asks…
What is your current plan to get off of the power grid?
Where I live we have plenty of wind and sunlight. I am going to build a combination of those 2 types. It will cost a bit to get into but once its done I will be independent and can reasonably say I am doing everything I can to get off of polluting energy.
admin answers:
Beat you to it I’m OFF THE MONEY HUNGRY GRID. Ive been building solar panels from old broken cells i get off eBay allot cheaper then buying them and they are working really well . Takes a Little time imagination and work but well worth it. I have a few pics in my blog showing how i do it
I have a flat roof on my house and im building a low level wind mill my own design with the power shaft going through the roof going into the second story room that i use for my power room and that i use for my lab . The generator will be inside of the house . Its a 12 volt permanent magnet generator that came off a john dear tractor . I was going to use a GM alternator but they need to turn faster to produce electricity . The neighborhood thinks I’m the nutty professor but hey nothing like living free and i sure don’t worry about the power company shutting off my power .
Tell you the truth its just been a lot of fun building my own system.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Sale
Lisa asks…
Wind Generators.Does the AC generators for sale on ebay need a battery(exicter) to help them create voltage? I?
Does the AC generators for sale on ebay need a battery(exicter) to help them create voltage? I have a DC generator & it produces voltage without a battery. It will produce about 15 volts by spinning the shaft by hand. Just curious about the AC generator. Thanks.
admin answers:
It depends on the make and model
it is a design criterion
if there are permanent magnets, it will self start, the output control becomes more difficult
if it has only an electromagnet like an automobile alternator then it is much easier to control the output
Guru
Joseph asks…
What would you do if society colapsed end every one was on their own?
no cooperation between anyone, not even families
no utilities or power, unless you can provide it for yourself like your own well or generator and if you can you have to protect it from any one else who might want to steal it for them selves.
no sale or trade between people you just have what you own and what you can take or steal from others.
how long do you think you could last? Where would you go? What’s your plan?
admin answers:
Regenerate society among my family and our neighbors (we already have that planned)
We have wind / solar powering our ranch, and diesel back up… We also raise 80% of our own veggies and 95% of our meat / dairy… We have a 1 year stock of grain, coffee, sugar, etc.
I won’t mention our weapons… Or our security arrangements other than to say that a few Marine Gunny Sergeants and SEALs (friends) have been up here and approved / and improved.
We live 20 miles from town and 90 miles from the city… We have our own valley and access to another four via neighbors… Time to start a tribal / feudal system !!
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Technician Jobs
Sharon asks…
Is it too inconvenient for a wind turbine technician to live in a residential area and not the country?
Im very interested in a career as a wind turbine technician but I have no idea where the average worker resides. I like the country but do not want to live the country life. I’m more of a city person. I like the commotion. My major concern is I want to live in a residential/suburban neighborhood but still be generally close to my job.
admin answers:
My husband has been a wind turbine technician for around a year. We live in California. The wind turbines that I know of in the Mojave desert are NOT near an urban area, and you would be living in the desert while working. There are wind farms close to San Francisco, though, and you could probably live somewhat close to the work site. But a lot of wind turbine technicians travel. For example, right now my husband is working in Illinois, and he has been there for five months. It is in a rural area, but the city is within an hour drive. 🙂 I don’t know if that helps.
Ken asks…
How do you become a Wind Turbine Technician?
What do i need to learn ? My background is in Electrical & Electronic Engineering,but i am unemployed at the moment and want to take steps in the direction to become a Wind Turbine Technician.
admin answers:
Very limited field.
Congrats on your initiative. Good research efforts.
Complete thorough realistic research to achieve life sustaining income. Maybe accounting, engineering, law, medicine, computers, …. Always get real job descriptions with course requirements from employers, unions, certification groups/associations. Don’t sign up for education till you’ve done this, EVER!!!
Pick a path where you don’t start working bankrupt with debt. Don’t become another casualty of the Trillion$ student debt. You must earn enough, $200k+ to support a family in a major City. Do not low ball your life and your family. If you can’t find work volunteer to get in the door. Try volunteering at good potential employers and go down from there to community service, but get in anywhere and start working/networking, even if its for free.Be a model worker, no yapping, internet, cell phone..start work 30 minutes early and end work 30 minutes after day’s end. Keep learning from more courses, read books, get another language, etc
There are almost 50 million people on food stamps, ~20% of males 25 to 54 yrs not working, lowest SATs in 40 years, debt to GDP over 100%, 25% of global prison inmates with only 5% of global population, etc and whats uncle sams answer to America’s problems? Corrupt political paralysis and meteroic debt plague spiking by adding a trillion dollars of debt in 2013 to criminally prop up financial markets artificially. What a mess we live in!
You are On Your Own. YOYO’s the word. Never forget it. Take control of your own lives and ignore what ever fictonal solutions the politicians and corporate bobble heads throw around as their self-profiteering benevolence.
Abandon obese consumer spending debt addiction culture and resulting self enslavement. Cut your lifestyle in half or less of the destructive unrealistic American dream nightmare standard….small house or apt..one car or no car .. Always have a second job cause the one you have can/will disappear …save and invest over 50% of your income if you can …. Stay with your parents….parents move in with your kids…Rent with friends…rent rooms in your home ..Live like the wage you make today could be the last you’ll earn, always. Stay away from ponzis, addictions, unhealthy lifestyles, get rich scams, online rip offs and purple koolaid cults.
Most of all maintain constructive positive relationships and forward planning. Have fun at it without spending money. What you are wanting to do is great but do it with a strong dose of reality and caring for your future, family and community. Good luck! Cheers:).
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Generators Types
Paul asks…
How does a wind turbine generate electricity?
im making a diagram upon how wind turbines generate electricty
so please help me to like create. i know the wind turns the blades which creates electricity via the generatore. but how does it occur.
what type of energy is used. EG kinetic, thermal?
/thank you xxx
admin answers:
A wind turbine is a rotary device that extracts energy from the wind. If the mechanical energy is used directly by machinery, such as for pumping water, cutting lumber or grinding stones, the machine is called a windmill. If the mechanical energy is instead converted to electricity, the machine is called a wind generator, wind turbine, wind turbine generator (WTG), wind power unit (WPU), wind energy converter (WEC), or aerogenerator.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_turbine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_wind_turbine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev_wind_turbine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windpump
Ruth asks…
What can you tell me about wind turbines that move vertically or in a helix shape?
Our town is considering purchasing several of these types of wind turbines. I am on the youth advisory board and we think it will save us time and money as well as a cleaner, more efficient source of energy. Links, videos, and any other information is greatly appreciated as well as your general imput. Thanks!
Overall, do you think this would be an investment or a waste of money. (We would receive grants, fund raise, etc…)
admin answers:
Kinda depends…. Are you getting a contractor to show-up and install it, or is the project being done by locals? That is who is responsible for design, fabrication, installation?
If this is to produce electricity, are the generators a direct to grid design or will there be inverters?
Send me individual email, I’ll discuss this with you, if you are interested…
Given “grant $” this could be a win-win, HOWEVER, has anyone checked on the MTBF figures for the sort of wind plant that you intend to install? There are things that could make this a GREAT investment and there are factors that could end up costing your town a LOT of $ for no benefit at all.
I have no idea, how much or what sort of research has already been done. …. What?
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Boats
Linda asks…
Is there any safety issues in using a non marine grade generator on a boat?
The difference between a marine grade 5kw generator and a common home or job site use 5 kw generator is thousands of dollars. I understand salt being an issue but I am on freshwater. As long as I am not spilling fuel are there any safety concerns?
admin answers:
You have more then exhaust fumes to worry about. If the generator has its own gas tank it will be vented into the boat (if you have it in the boat). Getting enough air to cool it would be a problem and how would you get the exhaust out. You could try it on the back of the boat but if there is any wind you have to worry about the station wagon effect, wind swirling around and pulling fumes into the boat. Not to mention it getting wet if a wake hits you from the back. I don’t think you would do to well if you got boarded by the police or the USCG as that is not an “approved device” How about putting in an inverter and a dedicated battery for 110 volts instead?
Carol asks…
Will a trolling motor generate electricity and charge a battery if it is pulled thru the water?
Specific application I’m looking at is using a high thrust trolling motor on a small sailboat for the auxiliary propulsion. Research indicates this will work great. However, the various sites advise using solar/wind/ or shore power for recharging.
Suppose the motor was left down, we raised the sail, and the prop began to freewheel. Seeing as how this is a DC motor, wouldn’t it start generating electricity? Has anyone tried this? What type of controlling circuitry would be needed if any to charge the house batteries?
admin answers:
Here is the Biggest problem with the trolling motor generator…Its not with the motor but with the capture area of the prop…Lets do the math here real quick …I promise not to take to long…If your trolling motor uses 10 amps at 12 volts thats about 120watts …756watts is about one horsepower,……. To get enough drag surface on the prop you need about 60 sq inches….120/756=.16hp or 480 sq inches per hp….more or less..so thats a pretty good size prop lets say 5″ x 12″ now to get it to spin you need a very easy rotating motor/gen set if its a permanent magnet type you have a problem getting it past the first pole is pretty hard…now lets look at rpm for a moment normally your motor cranks out that 120 watts at say 500-600 rpm to get a sail surface relationship and pitch to get your 12 vdc back… Your gonna need to have one heck of a pitch or loose your voltage for lack of rpm.. So I would say this …your idea of using the regenerative power of a dc motor to make a little wattage is quite sound ..However using a trolling motor made to puLL your boat might not be as efficient as some other means…Keep working on the idea though try using a right angle gearbox being driven by a floating paddle wheel ..or perhaps a flexible driveshaft underneath the boat with a helix coil driving an inboard alternator. Regulation for all the voltage is as easy as pie… A couple of big caps and one transistor and 30 minutes and you can build a regulator for nearly any thing up to 200watts…Ever hear of the 12v Light bulb from the old days being used as a regulator? See didnt even need a cap for that one….Anyhow have a good day from the E…
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Your Questions About Wind Turbines For Home Use
Donald asks…
Are wind turbines for the home beneficial?
I would like to learn more about the subject as I read not long ago that you can save money by installing wind turbines in your home. Are there any real benefits? Is it expensive?
admin answers:
Yes there are many benefits.
Using the wind to generate energy will permit you to be less dependent on fossil fuels, which are non renewable. So you will actually be helping our environment.
Also, there is the economic factor, you will save hundreds each month in electricity.
If you are going to buy a wind turbine for the home, be prepared, because they are costly. A solution for this would be to build the wind turbine yourself. Here I provide you with a link that has more information about that subject.
Good luck!
Ruth asks…
How Do You Build Your Own Wind Turbine?
I want to build a wind turbine for my home. Is it possible to build your own wind turbine and if so can you provide me with information on how to build my own wind turbine for home?
admin answers:
Yes it is entirely possible to build your own wind turbine at home. In fact i have actually done this myself by following the some plans i picked up at http://www.residential-wind-power.com/2009/10/reader-review-diy-residential-wind-turbine/ after reading about another guy who bought the plans and said how good they were.
I bought the plans and followed them to a tee….i was totally stoked with the final product that i built at home with my own tools.
If you want to check out a good review of the build your own wind turbine plans i would check out this review: http://www.residential-wind-power.com/2009/07/wind-turbine-plans-tested-reviewed/
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Generators
Jenny asks…
What are the factors that affect how much electricity a wind turbine generator produces?
What are the factors that affect how much electricity a wind turbine generator produces?
admin answers:
Ignoring the efficiencies of the generator and such….
Wind Speed
Air Density
Turbine Area
Blade Design
Carol asks…
Where can I find investors to build a small wind turbine generator in Canada?
Global Kinetic Technology Canada is a start up clean energy company. It’s first project is to build a commercial small wind turbine generator prototype in the 1.5 -3.5 kW range using the SEMA technology from GKT USA under an exclusive agreement for Canadian market.
I will need $100,000.00 US for 10% of the company.
admin answers:
Give this a shot – you never know… At the very least you would be on a very popular Canadian TV show and get national exposure…
Http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/
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Your Questions About Wind Turbines Oklahoma
John asks…
do windmills use electricity? i thought they provided electricity. we have plenty of wind in oklahoma!?
admin answers:
Wind turbines actually do consume in their normal operation. The turbines have complex control systems which control blade pitch, sensors, metering, etc, all of which consume power.
When the turbines are up and running in optimal conditions, they will produce more electricity than they consume. However, in low wind or no wind, they can be consuming more electricity than they produce.
You can think about it the same way as a normal power plant. The plant building has lights, controls, pumps, fans, etc. All of which consume electricity. When the plant is running, the building will be supplied by the plants generators, but if the plant is shutdown, the building still consumes electricity and must get that electricity from the power grid.
Donna asks…
Don’t find it ironic conservation?
Don’t you find it ironic that places with the most unique fauna, had bad conservation efforts and there animals are endagner. For instance china has unique faunayet have only 10% of land remains and that is fragmented, a lot of it species are either endagner or extinct in wild ( south china tiger, giant panda) and India 2 home to half worlds tiger yet there conservation efforts suck. There barely any land left and tiger population has declined 95% in the last 100 years same goes for the rhinos in asia. There barely a 1000 and that was a decline of 99% in as little as 200 years.The only thing they did do right is making the asatic lion population go up. Oh lord and don’t even bring up Africa. There rhino population is bad. BUT not as bad as India. At least they got the space to boast up the species populations. What do you think
admin answers:
The USA has a lot of unique species that the general population is extremely apathetic towards. In the prairie, the Lesser Prairie Chicken. Iowa has maybe 1% of its wetlands and 1% of its native prairie left intact, and it is fragmented and scattered all across the state. People tend to only care about charismatic megafauna.
I agree that there are some major conservation problems around the world. In poor countries, it is largely due to poaching. However, it’s unfair to point a finger squarely at them and deride them for not caring and being destructive. We build suburbs, we drain rivers because we have to water our lawns, etc and so forth. It’s completely under the radar here. There is a river in Oklahoma (The Blue River) that is being heavily pursued by OKCity and TX for water rights. It is truly a gem, a clear, aquifer-fed stream in the middle of an area with house-sized boulders that are 1.4 BILLION years old. Every other river in this area is muddy and a complete contrast.
How can people not stop this? How can people not protect this river that has darters and other beautiful fish? They don’t even know about it. People get so caught up counting carbon and putting wind turbines where they shouldn’t be that they are blind to the issues right under their nose. Don’t get me wrong, carbon-counters and other green folk have their heart in the right place, but the true irony is that there is an environmental catastrophe every other day in their own backyards.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators
Sandy asks…
How do I build a homemade wind generator?
Wondered if anyone knew how to build a simple homemade wind generator to power our home? A homemade wind generator that is not too complicated would be good. Do you know how to build a wind generator? Please help us.Thanks
admin answers:
The first thing you need to do is figure out how big of a wind generator you need. Most wind generators that are over 1000 watts in generating power are quite a bit more difficult to build. You will need to have your wind generator 15 feet above any obstruction within 300 feet. That is a must.
Some great resources exist but probably reading an article or two about building wind generators would help a lot. Try the resource I listed for a very informative article, there is mention of a website in the article where you can find some great wind generator plans too. Hope this helps, we have built 3 wind generators so far with these plans.
Mandy asks…
What are the purpose of the magnets in a wind generator?
In a wind generator there are several trapezoid magnets around the shaft of the prop, what are the purpose of these?
admin answers:
Electricity can be generated by moving a conducting wire so that it cuts through a magnetic field.
In short electricity from magnetism and motion.
Most electricity-generating systems involve rotating coils of wire in a magnetic field.
There are many ways of causing the coils to rotate:
Wind power:- wind generators
Water power:- water hitting a water wheel (turbine) causing it to rotate – hydroelectricity
Nuclear power:- heat generated in a nuclear reaction is used to produce a jet of steam which again hit a turbine causing it to rotate.
Oil, gas and coal could be used as alternatives to produce the jet of steam.
Finally rather than the coils of wire rotating some systems cause the magnets to rotate – as long as there is relative motion between the coils and the magnetic field either will do.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Syndrome
Donna asks…
Should environmentally sensitive people have fewer children, or more?
Environmentally sensitive people understand the pressure of burgeoning human population on scarce resources. Water shortages are already a reality that affect billions of people, and the need for more farmland and wood conspire to destroy habitats that are not merely exciting and unique, but that might hold answers to questions we are only beginning to ask.
It seems that environmentally sensitive people should take the lead and have smaller families–or no families at all. If ‘we’ do not start the process, who will?
But then again, such a strategy will reduce the most direct impact environmentally sensitive people can have on the next generation–their own children. Perhaps the most effective strategy for populating the world with more environmentally sensitive people would be for ‘us’ to have more children. Otherwise, the world might be overrun by ‘them.’
What’s a sensitive person to do?
Not a problem for America in the 1960s, Ardi, but the global problem was recognized 150 years earlier by Thomas Malthus.
JackP, Malthus also recognized your ‘solution:’ don’t worry, nature will solve the problem. My concern is that ‘natural solutions’ tend to be extraordinarily violent. Can’t we humans, who understand the problem and can anticipate the natural remedy, do better?
admin answers:
In the US, environmentalism came to the fore with the hippie generation. It was also the hippie generation who promoted Zero Population Grown, and we achieved it with tremendous success, if you can call “success”.
1. There are fewer people to buy American products and services, so our economy is not growing like that of China and India. Even with the “one child” law in China it is growing too fast to keep up and soon it may have to say “No children”.
2. With fewer young people than people who are growing old, the young cannot afford to pay for the entitlements given to them by their own grandparents generation, namely Social Security and Medicare.
A growing population was not a problem for America when the hippies (I was in that generation, but I was more conservative) promoted ZPG. They say right now the entire population of the world could fit into the borders of the US, or into even less space. But those same environmentalists are at odds with each other over how to solve problems. On the west coast where there is oil, they are saying no new oil rigs; in New England where there is wind, they don’t want wind turbines out in the ocean. Obama wants electric cars, but that will only drive up the demand for electricity and we are not building any new power plants. If we built pebble-bed nuclear reactors we wouldn’t have the China-syndrome problems and no spent fuel rods to dispose of, but those safe reactors are against American laws. Http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.09/china.html
Helen asks…
Are Wind Turbines a Greater Health Hazard than Nuclear Power Plants?
Thousands of people living near wind farms are suffering from symptoms collectively know as “Wind Turbine Syndrome“.
http://earth2tech.com/2009/08/03/wind–turbine–syndrome-living-near-wind-farms-may-be-hazardous-to-your-health/
Also wind farms adversely effect property values, reducing many home owners equity by half.
Compare this to nuclear power where no health complaints have been filed, and property values are not effected.
Does this prove that wind farms pose a greater health hazard to people than nuclear power?
Would this be a good reason to develop more nuclear power and less wind power?
admin answers:
Sorry, Doctor, but I’m going have to be sceptical on this one . . .
The article you link to refers to The Independent, the newspaper for the ethically right-on “modern parents” type of middle-class worrier who loves nothing more than an environmental scare with their cornflakes in the morning.
It was The Independent who, the day after the Asian Tsunami struck published an article linking it with global warming. People on BOTH SIDES of the debate should not trust this paper.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbine Generators Manufacturers
Jenny asks…
what level of efficiency does 2 MW wind turbines run at?
I need to know what level of efficiency a 2 MW wind turbine runs at? So does it only run at 50% efficiency, making it only produce 1 MW an hour?
Thanks everyone!
admin answers:
For the efficiency calculation the formula
Power in wind = (density of air ) x (turbine blade diameter)2 x( velocity of wind)3 x (a constant)
Power in wind = d x D2 x v3 x c
Notice that the power in the wind depends on the density of the air, the diameter of the turbine blades squared (D times D), and the velocity of the wind to the third power (V times V times V). There is also a constant in there which I’ll discuss in the very next paragraph.
What about that constant, C? It’s there because what we are really interested in is the Area swept by the blades of diameter, D. The area is calculated by multiplying the number Pi (approximately 3.14159) times the diameter squared divided by 4. So part of the constant, C, is just the constant number Pi divided by 4 pulled out to show us that the important variable in the area formula is D. The other part of the constant, C, can be whatever unit conversion numbers are needed to make sure the numbers come out right. For now, we won’t go further into that. The point is that the variables that determine the wind power blowing into a wind turbine are air density, blade diameter (resulting in a certain swept area), and wind velocity.
You have probably noted that power (not energy) is dependent on the velocity times itself 3 times (V x V x V). Whoa! In other words, if the wind speed doubles, the power available from the wind increases by a factor of eight. The diameter is significant too. Doubling that increases the power by 4 times. Faster is better, and bigger is better (if you can afford it and can build it strong enough).
Of course, the wind doesn’t blow all the time in most places and when it blows too hard the turbine blades can break or spin so fast they break off (not good when each blade can weigh several tons). In that case, the blades are usually “feathered” to reduce stresses on them and to slow them down. This means we can’t take advantage of really high wind speeds.
Turbine Efficiency
If the turbine could convert all the wind’s power to mechanical power we would say it was 100% efficient. But as you probably know, the real world is never so generous. To even achieve 50% is unlikely, and would be a very efficient machine. A 50% efficient turbine would convert half of the power in the wind to mechanical power.
Hope this will solve your problem
Regards
For other references
Efficiency Varies with Wind Speed
A given wind turbine has a “design point” that generally defines its peak efficiency at the wind speed for which the system is designed. At wind speeds above and below the design speed the efficiency is the same or less – maybe much less. If a turbine’s best efficiency is 40% at a wind velocity of 9 meters per second (about 20 mph), it will be 40% only at that wind speed. At all other wind speeds it will be something worse. That wind turbine will generally operate at lower than its best efficiency, because wind speeds are never constant or average.
The electric power actually produced will be still lower because the generator efficiencies are also less than 100% (generally in the mid- or low-90’s at best), and there are further losses in the conversion electronics and lines. But this is true of all power technologies. When all these losses are figured in, you might, if you are lucky, be getting 35% or so of the wind’s energy actually delivered as useful electrical energy to the end user in the very best conditions. The average might only be in the twenties.
In the formula above, then, we have to add one more number that I don’t show. That number is an efficiency number that would have to supplied by the manufacturer of the wind turbine, or experimentally determined by you if you make it yourself. It will not be one number, but a variable that is a function of wind speed.
Susan asks…
If a permanent magnet motor is used as a generator will it produce ac or dc?
I have a permanent magnet motor that is rated 100v at 2500 rpms. I Would like to know is if I use it as a generator, will it produce altenating current or direct current if I use it in a wind turbine to charge a 12v battery.
admin answers:
It depends. You didn’t say what kind of motor it was. Is it an AC motor? DC?
What configuration is it?
If its armature has a commutator, then it can be configured as a pulsed DC generator and you will need to do the filtering of that waveform. But you may have to make changes depending on the configuration. You need to be more specific. Surely there is model number and manufacturer plate.
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Your Questions About Wind Turbines Oklahoma
Robert asks…
Turbines or ridge line vents when you have a smaller home?
I’ve asked a lot of questions about this and I do apologize, but I had a roofing company guy say that in my state, Oklahoma, where it’s so hot having turbines (whirlibirds) is better than ridge vents because our wind makes the turbines really work and get the heat out, and also the fact that my ridge line isn’t that long (?).
I hope that makes sense?
My house is only 1200 sq feet and I have soffit vents and all the other companies just put ridge line vents (2) in my estimate, but this one guy said he liked turbines better.
Just wanted to get opinions.
admin answers:
In your part of the country ridge vents should be adequate. Do be sure the insulation is pulled back so that your soffit vents are uncovered. Turbines are one more hole in your roof and moving parts that can wear out. If you’re getting shingles be sure they are the architectural type and not the old three tab design. They will stick to the roof much better when the Oklahoma winds are howling.
Daniel asks…
At what point will farmers convert grass lands to….?
I was driving threw Oklahoma and Texas (on I-40) last week and thought… “Hmm, this is a pretty barren place… nothing but cattle and grass and the occasional wind mill… why not farm the sun”. And seriously? Why not throw up a couple acres of solar panels with a power meter that lets you sell it back to the power companies? Do you think this may be a future cash crop? 😛
I’m only halfway serious 😛 But seriously, what are your ideas for our future energy needs?
admin answers:
You are actually on to something. Those long, sweeping plains are also good potential locations for wind turbines. In fact, I once heard someone say that the Dakotas are basically “the Saudi Arabia of wind power”.
To answer your question, these things (solar, wind, etc) will happen when it becomes economically feasible to do so. With oil going up and up and up, that day may not be so far down the road.
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Your Questions About Wind Generators For Home Use For Sale
Lisa asks…
Essential Services and the Economic Crisis?
With this economic crisis looming over all of our heads. There have been people from all walks of life finding themselves losing there jobs and income and the flow on effect is they lose therefore there livelihoods.
To avoid this from happening to myself i have come to the conclusion that getting into a job that is part of the essential services such as Fire, Police, Paramedics are the obvious but i am looking more attainable such as Energy, Food, Waste industries.
My question is what sort of jobs out there could one get into that would be in a position to ride out this economic crisis
admin answers:
Internet sales. Supplemental income or full time. Worldwide exposure of your product.
There’s also good money in saving people money. If you can offer a product or service that saves people money, you’re doing well right now.
This is however a double edge answer.
I think the thing to be thinking about is how fragile our livelihoods are. Think about it. If you lost your job today, how long could you live in your current home without any income?
We need to be smarter with our purchases, save our money, invest in items that can help us sustain in any crisis like solar heaters and electric panels, wind generators. Stop living outside our means.
The problem is everyone is flocking to “essential services”, but even the police have suffered budget cuts. We need to be able to maintain in times like this, be better prepared.
We all need to make our own individual financial foundation stronger. A tomato plant with a weak stem won’t be able to produce much fruit…especially in a drought.
Sandy asks…
how do i make electricity at home?
admin answers:
How sunny or windy is the place you live? You can use solar panels if its rarely cloudy where you live and windmills if the breeze is in excess of 3-5m/s.
Its fairly easy and cheap to make wind mills and solar panels at home yourself. Though professionally pre-made plans are usually for sale. If your home windspeeds are at 9-10 m/s you can power the entire place through a 3-10 KiloWatt wind generator. Any other way is usually impractical for home generation.
There are also petrol generators available. Though they are expensive and costly to run as well.
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