WIND POWER
What is Wind Power
Wind Turbines
Wind energy is an environmentally inert, clean and inexhaustible source of electric power. When using wind turbines we are able to harness the power of the wind and convert it into electricity for use in our homes. The easiest way to understand how wind turbines work is to think of a fan operating in reverse – rather than electricity spinning the blades and thus generating wind, the wind spins the blades, thereby generating electricity. To expand on that simplification, the turbine blades are connected to a hub that’s mounted atop a turning shaft which runs into a gear transmission box that increases the turning speed which, in turn, is connected to a high speed shaft that cranks a generator.
There are two basic types of wind turbines – the first being a 2-blade horizontal axis turbine that spins downward and faces away from the wind, the second is a 3-blade horizontal axis turbine that spins upward and faces into the wind. Both types are commonly used today and are the focus of the U.S. department of Energy researchers on wind power.
Typically, a large number of turbines are connected to create wind farms capable of powering large numbers of buildings, but there are smaller single turbines available that you can place in your garden and use to power certain aspects of your home.
In many cases because the wind is unpredictable a combination of wind and solar power devices can be used to generate enough power to lower the electricity bills substantially or even remove your home from the grid completely. Generally if the wind is not blowing than the sun will be shining and both are free to take advantage of.
The government does offer grants for homeowners looking to invest in producing their own power with either wind turbines or solar panels.
For information on how to build or do it yourself wind turbines or solar panels please click on any of the graphics on this page.
