Micro Wind Turbines Can Be Added Power Bonus: Wind Energy: Eco20/20

Micro Wind Turbines Can Be Added Power Bonus

As people look for more environmentally friendly ways to power their homes, solar power, hydroelectric production, and wind-driven turbines offer the best ecological solutions. Until recently, however, wind turbines have been somewhat ungainly-looking structures, several hundred feet tall with blades several feet in diameter. They do not lend themselves to be a welcome addition in many urban areas and can even be rejected in many country settings.

Researchers in Hong Kong and China have been experimenting with micro wind turbines that better blend in with urban and residential surroundings to meet their energy needs. These turbines are currently designed as having eight small circular fans, about 25-centimeters, just under 10-inches in diameter each, strung together with a gear-like outer edge to turn together and be able to turn with wind speeds of two meters per second, or about six feet per second, a relatively low wind speed of about four miles per hour.

While this will produce about 131 kilowatts, not nearly enough to provide electricity to the average home, when the wind speed increase, the power output also increases. Additional arrays of micro wind turbines can be added to the system, producing even more power. The relatively small size of these arrays are typically more welcome in urban and rural areas and do not lose power at night or during cloudy days, as do solar power arrays.

Another factor when considering adding micro wind turbines into your home's power circuit is that if it produces more power than you use, the "leftover" electricity can be fed back into the local electric grid and purchased by the power company currently providing power to your home. Of course, you will need the company's cooperation in having your system connected to their grid, but many states require them to help out with this process. In addition to saving money, it could also provide a common sense approach to reducing the energy requirement for producing electricity.

These micro wind turbines are not likely to be the savior to most homes' electric use, but reducing consumption and production is a step in the right direction to reducing the reliance on fossil fuels. Since wind turbines only work in locations where wind is prevalent, for areas of the country where wind is low, they may not be the best fit. Areas where there seems to be a constant wind blowing are best suited for wind turbines. This can easily be determined by asking the local people, especially the ladies, how the wind affects their hairstyle.

Placement of micro wind turbines is also not as restrictive as solar panels, as they can be placed in even shaded areas, provided the shade doesn't impede the flow of the wind. Keep them from behind barricades or large stands of trees that provide protection from the wind. Placing them on roof tops is probably the most convenient. Remember that each array of micro wind turbines will need to be wired into your home's electric system, and the further away from the house they are located, the more wire will have to be installed to make them help reduce your electric bill.