New Options for Home Wind Power

Philip Proefrock — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 04:05:07 +0000

Utility-scale windpower is an important and growing part of the US energy portfolio. Farms ranging in size from dozens to hundreds of turbines can produce in excess of 60 megawatts of power. Plans for gigawatts of wind power are being proposed all over the globe, and new wind farms are regularly being proposed that outstrip one another to be the largest in their respective locations, or in the world. At the far end of the scale, the largest size wind turbines have a rotor diameter of 126 meters (413 feet), and are estimated to be capable of producing 20,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually (enough to power as many as 5000 European homes). Since the power generated by a turbine increases exponentially as it gets larger, new turbines will continue to grow in size.

But small-scale turbines are perhaps a more exciting realm of development. The standard, propeller-style turbine is well established, and there are many suppliers for this kind of generator in a range of sizes. In 2007, Home Power Magazine had a roundup of more than a dozen small wind turbines ranging from 8 feet to 56 feet in diameter (the latter of which is far larger than even a large, inefficient household would need for their power requirements). Green Building Elements had a review of this article last year.

New Home Wind Turbine Design: The Energy Ball

Adam Williams — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:18:37 +0000

Swedish company Home Energy recently unveiled a new look for a home-based wind turbine. Opting away from the traditional rotor style, the Energy Ball funnels wind within the turbine’s blades. This innovation is hailed for its increased efficiency and lower noise levels and vibration, making it more appealing for small-scale, personal, home use.

Source: Inhabitat

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New Options for Home Wind Power

New Home Wind Turbine Design: The Energy Ball