Important Facts About Wind Turbines Information
Facts About Wind Turbines
Wind turbines, the modern equipment used to
capture wind energy, are constantly being refined to meet
today's energy demands. There are super large commercial wind
turbines used for supplying electricity to commercial and
residential areas. There are medium to small wind turbines for
use on farms and at homes with large yards. There are portable
wind turbines that can be used in remote areas or for camping.
And, there are new, micro wind turbines for residential home
use.
Until this century, wind was used in many ways, to power water
pumps, mills, sailboats and other smaller machines. But now,
with the energy crunch and high prices on limited resources
like oil, wind power has come of age. Today's turbines are
engineered specifically for production of electricity. Another
interesting development as wind power demand increases, is the
sprouting of wind mill farms, with dozens of large wind mills
producing electricity to sell back to power companies.
People are interested in knowing the facts about wind
turbines. They know that wind is a free, renewable
energy resource. They would love to have free electricity at
home. But, like many things, free is not always free. There is
a lot of technology involved, and that is not free. Right now,
costs are very high and recouping the investment takes a long
time. With growing demand, improvements in technology, and
better supply, wind turbines will lessen in initial cost. After
that, it's a free, wind powered, ride.
Facts about wind turbines include that the top three
nations now producing wing power are Germany, Spain, and the
United States. Even in the forward looking US, the power
produced is only less than a half of one percent of all
electricity produced (2005). And, only half the states even
have wind farms. Colorado is one of the leaders in renewable
resource energy. The wind mill giant company based in Denmark,
Vestas, has recently chosen to locate a new manufacturing
plant, with about 1350 new jobs, just outside of Denver, in
Colorado.
One of the most interesting facts about wind
turbines are how this system transforms the kinetic
wind energy into mechanical or electrical energy by using
rotator blades and an internal drive train and generator. From
turning the rotator shaft, energy is transferred to a generator
and then stored in batteries for later use, or bumped up via an
inverter from DC to AC power for household or commercial
use.
The large commercial wind turbines can be 500 feet high, and
generate electricity in a 700 kW to 2.5 MW range. The farm or
large yard turbine towers run about 30 to 50 feet in height,
and can generate about 10 kW power. Rooftop models lack the
height needed to get up into the best wind currents, and they
need to be smaller all around to fit in with the overall look
of any residence. Obviously they would produce far less energy,
but enough to power lighting or small appliances.
Spurred by economic demands, and government tax incentives,
production of wind power tripled in the US between the years
1998 and 2005. Green product programs, and customer interest
has sparked the growth of smaller wind systems for home use. Do
it yourselfers can create a wind system kit with relative ease
and less expense. Sales of rooftop micro wind generators will
show good growth in coming years. Smaller, more aesthetically
pleasing systems need to be created for new homes and for
refitting older residences to capture wind power for home use.
It appears, to quote songwriter Bob Dylan, that the answer is
blowin’ in the wind.
West Briton, The; Truro (UK) - Wind farm proposals will totally destroy the area's best commodity
February 11, 2010 --
Proposed repowering of Goonhilly Wind Farm YOUR report about the Goonhilly Wind Farm Project in last week's Helston edition of the West...
Buffalo News - Everybody's column
February 8, 2010 --
Governor ignores facts about wind turbines
In 2002, just after the completion of a little house we consider our "dream home," we...
Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass. - Group putting wrong spin on turbine regulations
January 27, 2010 --
OUR OPINION
There are legitimate reasons for opposing wind turbines and then there's grasping at straws or, in this case,...
South Wales Evening Post - COUNCILLOR Rob Speht said he [...]
January 23, 2010 --
.COUNCILLOR Rob Speht said he would have voted in favour of the Mynydd y Gwair wind farm application, had he stayed in the chamber.
...
Sun Journal; Lewiston, Me. - Wind turbine debate set for February
January 7, 2010 --
RUMFORD -- Residents of the River Valley area will have a chance to learn both sides of the wind energy issue at a public debate set for Feb....
Essex Chronicle; Chelmsford (UK) - Get it right on turbines
December 1, 2009 --
I SUPPOSE the Friends of the Earth are entitled to their opinion, but I really wish they would get the facts about renewable energy...
Western Morning News, The - Look at facts about turbines, not myths
December 1, 2009 --
THERE'S Nunn so deaf as those who won't listen and Nunn so blind as those who won't see'. This old adage appears to apply to Alan Nunn, of St...
Bismarck Tribune - Wishek council closes door on turbine strategy
December 1, 2009 --
The Wishek City Council went into a closed session to talk about its legal options in the case of residents whose wind turbine was supposed...
Press, The; Christchurch, New Zealand - Electric cars rule
December 1, 2009 --
European car dealers are all worried about the uptake of electric cars (Drive, Dec 26 ). They have finally realised that electric cars...
Indianapolis Business Journal - A case for going green outside the limelight
November 23, 2009 -- Green building projects dripping with sustainable features, such as the Nature Conservancy of Indiana's new downtown headquarters, tend to grab the...
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