Do You Have All The Information You Need To Choose A Wind Turbine?

By Kathy Nelson

Home wind turbines typically do not deliver their maximum rated output.Why is this the case? Simply because surface and near-surface winds are generally neither strong nor consistent enough to rotate the propellers at their "best RPM range" all of the time. Raising the turbine to higher elevations usually increases the average current output because wind strength typically increases at higher elevations/altitudes although wind directions still remain variable.

The same wind supply inconsistency makes wind power inappropriate as a fixed, demand-driven source of energy unlike coal- or diesel-burning power plants that can be turned on or off according to consumer needs. This situation should change, however, if superconducting charge (or current) storage devices become cheaper. Very large-capacity battery banks, or very large batteries, or super capacitors should also be designed for the purpose of storing large amounts of electricity.

Small wind turbine generators have been around in the US since the 1920s. The Jacobs Wind Electric Company consistently sold 1- to 3-kW wind turbines to farmers in North America and around the world till the US rural electrification grid came fully online in the late 1940s, thus reducing the requirements for independent energy supplies.

Because wind turbines are based on old technology they are generally reliable and moderately easy to keep working for anyone who is even a reasonably good mechanic.Once you have put the turbine up and get it running then you shouldn't really expect to have to do many repairs or maintenance for a long while.

A Jacobs wind turbine unit was installed at the South Pole by members of Richard Byrd's Antarctic expedition in 1933. Jacobs wind turbines are still available for purchase in the US today. Wind turbines should be viable alternative sources of energy for domestic or commercial end-users. Denmark currently sources about 20% of its national electrical energy supply from offshore wind farms. - 29939

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here