Residential Wind Energy-Small Wind Generators
Author: John O Toole
In this article I look at the background to the development of wind technology, how much it can cost and whether it is an option for the ordinary homeowner concerned with spiralling energy costs in his/her everday life.
Residential wind energy is generated with the help of a turbine generator that is mounted on an 80-120 foot tall tower. The height of the tower allows maximum wind exposure for the propeller. The propeller starts to spin by the force of wind on it and the generator in tunn produces electricity from the action of the wind on the propeller.
You remain connected to the grid, so when the wind is not blowing you can still use power from the electric company. If your wind turbine produces excess power the electric company must buy it back from you as per federal law.
The initial investment on a wind power system can range between 6000 and 20,000 dollars. Clearly this is a lot of money to pay up front; however, this cost is more than offset by the energy saving that you'll be able to make. The average pay back time for generator system is between 6-15 years depending on its size and how much it's used.
You can also build a wind turbine by yourself and this is a great way to dip your toe in the water at a tiny cost compared to the figures above.
Different manuals available online will teach you how to do so. When you build your own wind turbine you could see a return on your investment much sooner. Even if the highest quality materials are used the final price would still a fraction of what the ready-made residential wind turbines would cost.
By using residential wind energy to cover you electricity needs, you are not only saving money but also helping the environment by reducing carbon emissions that are produced when electricity is generated from fossil fuels.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/residential-wind-energysmall-wind-generators-1339315.html
About the Author
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Magnetic strength, and small generators?
I am trying to make a small electric generator via a wind turbine( say make 5 volts ), i want to know what type of magnet to look for. I was told a neodyniam one is good, if so what strength do i look for ( what units do i measure in ).
I know all this depends on rotor speed and number of coils.
Thanks:
Try searching around for rare earth magnets. Thinkgeek.com sells them, or woodcraft.com.
As a senior citizen which small generators have you found to be the best over time?
I’m told we will have a hard winter here in the northwest and I’m thinking a small quiet generator with an easy start would be best for me if the power goes out for a few days.
This is my first experience with an all electric house.
What should look for?
I would go with one that has a Honda engine. You need to consider the total wattage you will pull to get the right size. I bought a Craftsman in 1980 and still have it. Just last year we were without electric for 5 days in january, which is very cold here.. It is a 4500 watt gen. It takes care of my needs fine. The one I have is by no means quite or easy starting but its what I have, so I make do.
Where can I find get an electric generator without the drive motor?
I’m looking for some smaller size electric generators, around 1k for now, but I don’t want the gas motor that comes with the big chain store bought ones. I just want the generator. I’m sure they’re out there…I just can’t get the right wording for on-line searches.
Search the term “two bearing generator.” That term is apparently used to distinguish foot mounted generators that have their own housing, two bearings and a shaft from the generator components of engine generator sets.
I believe that the term alternator came into existence when the automotive industry began to use AC generators with rectifiers instead of DC generators. The terms AC generator and synchronous generator are used in engineering texts and in the electric power industry.
Your detail asks a different question than your question.
A small permanent magnet DC motor is easy to make into a generator, you just spin it.
The motor in your drill is probably a permanent magnet unit since it was battery driven – the problem is that these units are heavily geared so that the small motor can spin very fast while the bit moves fairly slow. Trying to reverse it will require a strong mount and a very slow moving motor or other method of moving with a lot of torque – wind and water wheels being not suitable in most cases.
Your detail says “I want to make it a motor” and that is what it is already.
its called a Hybrid….if you r thinking a little suitcase sized generator no..not enough power produced and you would spend all day trying,,and have to carry gas cans…sloshing around your trunk..
Can you carry a small generator in trunk of plug-in electric car to recharge it whenever?
just thinking about the Volt (GM) and the Leaf (Nissan)
… charging the batteries as you drive along – in a closed trunk may not be a good idea BUT PERHAPS IN THE BED OF A plug-in electric TRUCK would make more sense
How can I take a small electric motor and turn it into a generator?
I’m tinkering with an old drill, who’s battery has ruined. Therefor, it has absolutely no use to me. But, I know that the motor is just a simple reverse Dynamo and I want to make it a motor. Links ans diagrams would be very helpful.
I’m tinkering with an old drill, who’s battery has ruined. Therefor, it has absolutely no use to me. But, I know that the motor is just a simple reverse Dynamo and I want to make it a generator. Links ans diagrams would be very helpful.