Wind Power Generators Small and Large are Kick-Starting the Age of Alternative Energy
Wind power is a favorite for makers and amateurs interested in renewable energy, chiefly because the technology involved is simple and accessible. While solar, hydroelectric, tidal and biogas are difficult to achieve on a small scale and small budget, wind power has simple requirements that put it within reach of many hobbyists keen to participate in sustainable living, reserving our planet for our children, and their children.
In my view there are four main categories within the wind power generators industry to consider from DIY Wind Generator Plans to Large Scale, Large Residential, Residential Rooftop and Farmland.
At the largest scale General Electric is one of the biggest builders and suppliers of wind power generators in the world with over 8,400 installations worldwide and counting. GE has assembly plants in the U. S., Canada, Germany, Spain and China. And, of course, GE has large contracts with T. Boone Pickens so this is nothing to sneeze at as well. If you are a hobbyist you will be at the opposite end of this spectrum. But, getting involved is no less worthwhile for that.
A homemade wind power generator is able to capture and convert wind into energy that can be used to fuel one’s home or place of business. When people think of such a device, they usually think of a mill or turbine, which takes wind energy and converts it into electricity.
Individuals using homemade wind power generators will be able to save money on electricity and also are better able to do their part in taking care of the environment.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America Program the average cost of producing electricity from wind generators today is 5 to 7 cents per kilowatt-hour. The site states that the power from wind energy for electricity, in the United States, is increasing 30% to 40% per year.
The Wind Program offers the following advice and warning, “…the local utility company should be contacted to insure that they have no rules regarding the use of wind power as extra energy…next is to find a reliable wind generator which could be the hardest part.
There are though just a few companies that do offer good wind generators.” One firm rating wind generator reliability and expected output is ConsumerReports.org.
Some of the most high tech wind power generators have completely forgone the traditional horizontal spinning blade design in favor of a vertically spinning wind turbine which could potentially generate a thousand more times power than a traditional windmill.
Some of the more ambitious designs have also removed the traditional mechanical bearings and they have replaced them with magnetic levitation for a virtually friction free environment. The maglev aspect to the system does require a modest amount of power but the turbine can generate a much greater amount of power when compared with standard mechanical designs.
With concerns about global warming, climate change and dependency on foreign oil, many people these days are beginning to search for alternative energy sources. It makes undeniable sense to look for better and less expensive ways to generate and use electricity.
A natural and free source of power is the wind. Wind power generators are using technology that is available to harness that free power. Wind power is a winning way to generate power that is both clean and good for the environment and can be considered green energy.
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