Home Wind Turbine in Your Future?..

[Brock Samson]

http://www.physorg.com/news144674984.html





Originally designed by Scotland-based Renewable Devices, the Swift wind turbine is being sold in the US by Cascade Engineering of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Unlike many existing small wind turbines, the Swift turbine is designed to reduce noise. At seven feet in diameter, it consists of five thin blades encircled by a ring. The ring reduces vibration and diffuses the noise to a level of less than 35 decibels.

Cascade says that the wind turbine should be positioned at least two feet above the roof line in locations with average wind. Its two fins direct the turbine to face the wind, with the ability to turn 360 degrees. The blades power a generator, which produces about 1.5 kilowatts with a 14-mph wind.

Over a year, the turbine can generate about 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is a significant percentage of the 6,500 to 10,000 kilowatt-hours per year that US households typically consume (estimates are from the US Energy Information Administration).

While the installation cost run at around $10,000, state rebates and tax credits could help lower the upfront cost; for example, a renewable energy tax credit gives consumers $1,000 back for residential systems and $4,000 for commercial buildings. Depending on these incentives and performance levels, Cascade estimates that the upfront cost could be made up in as little as three years.

So far, Cascade has installed nine Swift turbines in the US and has a backlog of 25 orders. Orders come from about half residential and half commercial customers. In Scotland, Swift turbines have been installed at 250 sites.

More information: www.swiftwindturbine.com

[Troy]

I looked into wind turbines a while back. Unfortunately, all the wind in Ohio appears to be in the northern part of the state. We don't get enough sustained winds where I live to provide enough benefit to offset the cost. I was hoping to get in while there were still large incentives. Perhaps the newer equipment is better (but I know we don't have 14 mph winds on a regular basis). I like the idea though.

Troy

[sunfire69]

I looked into them too, they have a vertical type that only requires something like 5 mph..not sure of the cost..thought.

[Mike DC]

Solar seems as likely as anything to become the backyard-generated power source of choice.  But like wind, the wooded hilly country in the eastern half of the US is not the best place for it. 


Maybe someday the western half of the US will be selling electricity to the eastern states, in exchange for eastern water being piped out west.  I wonder if it might actually work in certain places where there's limited distance between the two. 

[Charger_Fan]

The wind blows at my house pretty regularly...although this year it seemed to be less for some reason. I've thought about a windmill of some sort, but the up front cost is definitely a souring factor in the decision. The sun shines plenty too, but again, the cost...

[bull]

I wish I could harness the heat and wind my wife generates with all the yakking.

[PocketThunder]

I wish I could harness the heat and wind my wife generates with all the yakking.

I was thinking it, but wanted to wait and see who would pony up first and say it..!        

[Steve P.]

There are some very good vertical designs that work well and don't need mush wind to turn them at all.. Most resemble a squirrel cage like your heater fan in your car.

The generation is not really the problem. It's more in the regulation and storage of the power generated..

For anyone really interested there are many videos on you-tube showing some pretty good builds..

[Daytona R/T SE]

Something didn't go right with this one

[A383Wing]

Too bad there was not a way to harness all the hot air on this forum!            

[moparstuart]

Too bad there was not a way to harness all the hot air on this forum!            

[69_500]

Too bad there was not a way to harness all the hot air on this forum!            

That is probably the best comment I've ever read in the off topic section.

[dkn1997]

There are some very good vertical designs that work well and don't need mush wind to turn them at all.. Most resemble a squirrel cage like your heater fan in your car.

The generation is not really the problem. It's more in the regulation and storage of the power generated..

For anyone really interested there are many videos on you-tube showing some pretty good builds..

I don't know that storage is an issue at this time.  I read in the paper here that a guy had solar on his house, when he was producing more than he used, he fed power back into the grid.  his meter would actually run backwards. there was a small fee associated with this, but it still seemed worth it.  This, of course, would be a moot point if everyone had alternative energy. sort of only works when everyone else still gets power from the coat/gas/oil/nuc plant.

[Steve P.]

Yes, there are many levels of the solar that is available today. The same for wind power. Most guys doing wind power at home are making enough to power some light bulbs and many charging batteries and using 12V systems around their homes and shops. Lots of experimenting going on. The solar panels sold around here are HUGE money. I figure it's the same as everything else. When computers first hit the market they were untouchable by many if not most. Today they are fairly cheap. DVD and CD was the same way.. One day the price will be either a demand or reasonable enough for most.

You can buy a VHS player for $20.00 today...

I think the scientists should be working on a reverse Capacitor. Then they could harness and store lightning... 

[sunfire69]

I found the link I was looking for....have a look at these....
http://www.pacwind.net/

[PocketThunder]

I found the link I was looking for....have a look at these....
http://www.pacwind.net/

Wow those are pretty nice.  i wonder what the price tag is though.

[WingCharger]

In Sohio (Southern Ohio ), solar would probably be the best option.  I  read that a full home solar panel system will pay for itself in 15 years. Less if the power company buys power from you by turning the meter backwards.

[Steve P.]

This is true in many cases. The power company will, (in most cases I have read), add a second meter to your house showing your use and what you have sent to the grid.

I had heard of a case where they had tried a 2 directional meter and someone figured our how to spin it back or stop it without producing the genuine power... I believe that was in Denver.