Photovoltaic Systems

Archive for the ‘Wind’ Category

The much-anticipated Honeywell Wind Turbine from WindTronics officially launches today, one day prior to Earth Day.  This is a small wind turbine that we’ve mentioned extensively – here’s a video of one spinning.  The launch is supported by a global network of distributors, partners, and retailers ready to sell the unique turbine from a starting price of $5,795, plus installation.

I say this is a starting price because it depends on the connector.  The Honeywell Wind Turbine can be connected to the grid (Power One Aurora Grid Tie Inverter option), a building (SmartBox option), or a battery (Direct DC option).

The small wind turbine has a diameter of six feet and weighs less than 185 pounds.  Its main feature is the gearless design, which is called the Blade Tip Power System, that uses an outer ring of magnets and stators to capture power at the blade tips where speed is greatest. 

The turbine spins at 0.5 mph and generates energy at two mph of wind. Honeywell Wind Turbine is rated at 1,500 watts in 31 mph winds, according to WindTronics materials. In terms of noise, an important factor tied to location, the turbine has “negligible” vibration and makes about 35 db of noise at 10 feet. 

The WT6500 Wind Turbine can be used in either the residential or commercial context, subject to local zoning and permits if required. To help people learn whether small wind like this makes sense, WindTronics developed a tool to estimate local wind speeds, utility prices, and rebate programs, which is available online at WindKnowledge.com. 

After crunching the numbers, you may find the turbine retailing at places like Ace Hardware, True Value, and Northern Tool and Equipment, or you can search for one at WhereToBuyOne.com.

Credits: WindTronics.

Related Articles on JetsonGreen.com:

1. First Look: Honeywell Wind Turbine
2. Honeywell Wind Turbine Coming Soon!
3. Honeywell Wind Turbine to be Sold at Ace Hardware Stores for $4,500

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently held its annual conference dubbed “Windpower 2009) which had a heavy, heavy focus on one major issue: Pass a Renewable Electricity Standard (RES). The conference featured leaders in public policy from all around the nation, including the outspoken AWEA person of the year T Boone Pickens, who spoke on wind issues and praised the great potential it holds in the US’s economy and energy consumption.

First, what is the Renewable Electricity Standard (RES)?

The RES is a policy the AWEA is hopeful for to continue wind energy’s momentum as a renewable energy source.  The policy would be a national commitment to mandating that X amount of the US’s electricity comes from renewable energy sources, of which wind energy is obviously a major part of.

The policy is broader and more robust than anything we’ve seen before, and is probably something I endorse fully.  If the government is still adament on mandating renewable energy utilization in our cars with ethanol, (a completely irrational and failed source of energy in my opinion before cellulosic technology arrives), I see no reason why the government shouldn’t excercise its regulatory strength to come up with a broader standard to include wind energy.

Wind Energy and Job Creation – The economy

Like other issues today, the AWEA mad a strong appeal to those concerned about the economy, touting the amount of quality jobs wind energy can create and the industry’s readiness to meet the demand if a RES is passed. For example:

• The Windpower 2009 Conference featured many exhibits of firms that exist due to the wind industry.  From logistics and manufactuing to all the other support services that would benefit from a RES, the AWEA showed how wide of an impact a RES policy would have on US industry and job creation.
• Michigan touted its auto suppliers, not for their current businesses, but for their suppliers’ ability to switch over to wind energy products given the demand from a future Renewable Electricity Standard.
• Everyone loves federal jobs, right? The Department of the Interior was present touting its commitment to utilizing public lands for the use of wind energy.  Something I fully support, since such actions could create a much needed revenue source for the Treasury to finance all of Obama’s economic stimulus plans.

While I am a conservative at heart, I find no great reason for the government not to move forward with a Renewable Electricity Standard, especially as oil and energy prices are continuing to creep back up from their all time lows.

Check out the AWEA for more Wind Industry information.

“Everything is bigger in Texas” is proven true, again with their growing commitment and investment in wind energy. Texas recently previously announced that they’re investing $4.9 billion for wind transmission lines which will be carrying electricity from the rural western part of the state to the more populous eastern cities like Dallas, San Antonio, Austin and Houston.

This development came along with T Boone Pickens‘ media bombardment and call for state and federal investment in wind, because the lack of transmission lines is one of, if not the largest, problem facing wind energy which generally operates in remote areas off of the grid.

These new transmission lines will be able to handle 18,500 megawatts of power by their completion in 2013, which will bring the state’s total wind energy production to over 20,000 megawatts of electricity – a figure easily allowing them to maintain the #1 wind producing state ranking, and even placing them close to producing more wind than Germany by themselves, according to the New York Times article (via below).

Wind energy, being a location-constrained resource, will need a big boost in public funding to become a major player in the US because much of the windiest spots in the US wind corridor are not on transmission lines or the grid, making this valuable resource worthless and unable to be harnessed by the masses. Essentially, it’s in the hands of lawmakers and the President, so try sending them a letter. And tack on Texas’ future rank as #2 nation in wind energy production to the list of things that make Texans think they’re bigger and better than everyone else.

Story via New York Times, National Academies