Green Options » micro wind

Return of Federal Small-Wind Tax Credit a Big Boost for Small Wind

Timothy B. Hurst — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:34:29 +0000

New investment tax credit of up to $4k to grow small turbine industry

Last week’s well-publicized economic bailout package, included several “sweeteners” to help it through the House. Extended were the tax credits for solar, wind, and geothermal as well as tax credits for green building and energy efficiency. But what also passed was a new federal-level investment tax credit for qualified small wind turbines. The ITC is valued at $500/.5kw capacity for up to $4,000 and available for small and micro-wind turbines (up to 100kw), including vertical-axis wind turbines, installed through 2016.

Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines: The Future of Micro Wind? [w/video]

Timothy B. Hurst — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:33:22 +0000

Walking the floor of WINDPOWER 2008, the annual conference and trade show for the wind energy industry, one couldn’t help but be transfixed by all of the different types of turbines - at least I couldn’t. The wind turbine has become the iconic of clean, renewable energy. But the classic three-bladed horizontal axis wind turbine, with its gracefully swooping blades, has become the symbol of not only renewable energy, but also of environmental consciousness and ecological possibility.

Despite the ubiquity of the three-bladed turbine, the oft-overlooked vertical-axes turbines are making quite a splash in the world of wind energy, especially in small and micro-applications. So what’s all the fuss about? Vertical-axis turbines apparently do not suffer from some of the same problems that plague small wind applications in urban settings including, aesthetic concerns, space requirements and sound levels

Other advantages of vertical-axis turbines:

Can produce up to 50% more electricity per year than conventional turbines with the same swept area;
Generate electricity at much lower wind speeds, as low as 4 mph (1.5 m/s)Will continue to generate power in high wind speeds, up to 130 mph (60m/s) depending on the mode;
Direct-drive units with no gearbox means a more efficient transfer of energy and no leaking oil;
Will not harm wildlife, in terms of bird and bat strikes.

Below, I’ll cover some more basic differences and show you a few photos and short videos of some of these turbines I saw down in Houston at WINDPOWER 2008.

Video: Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (clock included)

Timothy B. Hurst — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 06:27:04 +0000

I took this short video of a new, small vertical axis turbine at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. Despite the fact that it sounds quite windy in the video, it really wasn’t. [try to ignore the sounds coming from my very excited dog]. Running time: 50 seconds.

This story contains additional media. Click here to view the media.

See also: Top 5 Micro Wind Turbines

This story contains additional media. Click here to view the media.

Another design I saw scattered throughout the show floor were those that integrated small solar and wind together on the same unit (top photo and photo below). The unit below integrates both solar and wind onto a single 400W streetlight platform.

The turbine itself is a “GUS” from a company called Tangarie which features a reflective coating that reduces glare and can even be slathered with an advertisement or a state flag of Texas, as is the one below. The complete solar/wind/streetlight/pole package (made by another company altogether) costs about $7,000, not including installation.

There will undoubtedly be substantial growth in the niche sector of vertical-axis wind turbines, especially in urban settings. Personally, I think this technology could best be applied in poorer countries to help address the most basic of energy needs, like lighting and light-duty water pumping.
Other Posts on Small and Micro Wind Energy:
“Top Five Micro Wind Turbines”
“Liveblogging from WINDPOWER 2008: Photos of Small Wind Turbines”
“Small Wind Remains in Farm Bill”

All Photos © Timothy B. Hurst
*Thanks again to the American Wind Energy Association for travel and conference support.