Wind is free, plentiful and it will never run out – as such, it is fast becoming a very popular energy source.
Wind is a sustainable fuel source that doesn't produce pollutants of any kind and its energy can be harnessed without causing any damage to the environment.
Although many people still associate wind turbines with large scale energy farming, there is an increasing number of smaller turbines designed specifically for residential or domestic use. These smaller turbines offer a viable, if not yet mainstream, means of powering homes with clean and renewable energy. They typically comprise just one turbine per household, and if there is enough wind and the turbine itself is large enough, it can generate enough electricity to drive an entire household.
How wind energy is generated?
Wind energy describes a process by which wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines are designed to change the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power, which can be used for specific tasks or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity to power homes.
Wind energy powers low-speed rotation of a permanent magnet generator to produce alternating current that is converted to direct current by a controlled constant voltage rectification system. In battery storage-type systems, the voltage is then stored in a battery, and the direct current from the battery is then converted to an alternating current by an inverter. The resultant controlled and stabilised alternating current can be used to power the load.
Grid connection systems, on the other hand, directly transfer the alternating current generated by the turbine to an inverter that controls and stabilises the current, and provides various control elements for direct connection to the electricity grid. The majority of urban residential wind power installations are grid-connected, so when the wind isn’t blowing, you are still able to get power from the utility grid.
Costs involved
Investing in a wind turbine involves a relatively high initial cost; but it will greatly reduce your electricity bill and allow you to hedge against the ever increasing electricity costs. Wind turbines are an efficient and really affordable source of energy as they require no fuel and minimal operating expenses.
On average, approximately 80% of the total costs comprise the actual machinery, the balance of the costs involve site preparation and installation. There is a wide range of different sized wind turbines available. When you are shopping for one, it is essential that you invest in one that is the right size for your home’s particular needs – it needs to be sized to ensure that your annual electricity production is no greater than your annual electricity use.
Local supplier of Kestrel wind turbines, sustainable.co.za, offers a wide range of turbines suitable for residential application. The cost of these turbines range from a 300W turbine priced at R5,395, to a 5KW turbine priced at R69,665.
Some tips
Conserve first: Before considering investing in a wind turbine, first work on getting your home’s energy use as low as possible.
Find out your area’s wind speed: For a wind turbine to be cost effective, it needs ample, consistent wind. As such, you need to determine the average amount of wind in your area.
Check building codes: Check your local zoning and building codes and check in with your local homeowner’s association or body corporate to find out whether installing a wind turbine will go against any height or other permitting restrictions.
Consider the space available: Wind turbines don’t require a lot of space, but it is important to make sure that you have enough space on your property to accommodate a wind turbine. – Antonella Desi
Pictures courtesy of:
Sierra Club: www.sierraclubgreenhome.com.
Sustainable.co.za: www.sustainable.co.za.
Readers' Comments Have a comment about this article? Email us now.
I have had a 1 kw 48volt wind turbine installed and running at my house for 2 years now and it is not a standalone system, I live 400m from the beach and wind is almost a constant, but definitely not a standalone. – Edwin
