A wind turbine is essentially a device to extract energy from the wind. This is accomplished by a three blade fan which rotates on its axis with a frequency generated by the hitting wind density.Its ancient name is windmill, which is still used for pumping water, grinding grains or stones, or cutting lumber and is based on simply using the mechanical energy.
If the created mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy then the same assemblage of machinery is called wind turbine.
The DIY wind turbine is rated by its wind power density (WPD). It is the mean power per square meter of swept area of a turbine available annually and is tagged with their ground heights. WPD of a particular area is proportionate to the wind velocity and air density.
It is rated by class. For example, 200 watts per square meter or less at 50 meter height is termed as Class 1. Its commercial viability generally begins from class 3 and above.
There are two types wind turbines which includes Horizontal axis and Vertical axis. Horizontal axis type is more common. The main rotor shaft and the electrical turbine are situated at the top of the tower in horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT). The turbine is placed upwind on the supporting tower to suffer minimum from the turbulence produced by the tower itself. Small turbine has a simple wind vane. Larger turbines have a wind sensor joined to a servo motor.
Most turbines have a gearbox which enhances the frequency of rotation of the blades thus making electrical turbines more efficient. Turbine blades are made of stiffer material so that they do not get bent towards the tower. These blades are positioned at a distance from the tower and are most of the times tilted forward into the wind to accept more wind energy.
Wind turbines are constructed as per individual needs or for larger supply. Small turbines may be a 50 watt output turbine commonly installed on a boat or for caravan use. These have direct drive turbines, direct current output, lifetime bearings, and aero-elastic blades. Their vanes point into the wind.
Larger wind have geared power trains, alternating current output, flaps and actively point into the wind. The largest capacity wind power turbine is EnerconE-126 having a rated capacity of 7.58 MW. It is around 200 meter high and its diameter is 126 meter. In near future, 10 MW turbines may hit the market.
Homeowners considering the use of a wind turbine to produce electricity have the choice of many different models currently on the market.
As a greater percentage of our population becomes familiar with renewable energy wind turbines, a whole class easy-to-install units are emerging, and more efficient designs are being created every year.
Advanced software is now available that allows you to calculate exactly how much power your will need to generate in order to run your home, whether it be for extensive use, or just for running a few light bulbs or an appliance.
Cost calculators can be downloaded online and tell homeowners the actual cost of installing any particular turbine, as well as an estimate of how continuously the machine would have to be in operation. This helps immensely in determining which model should be purchased.
When you choose the correct turbine, it depends on how much electricity needs to be produced, and whether the unit will be placed on a free-standing tower, or directly on a rooftop. Different communities often have restrictions on where a renewable energy homemade wind turbine can be installed.
A permit may be required for either a tower or a roof-mounted propeller assembly. The amount of available wind can also be a major factor when choosing a model; the average windspeed 50 feet above ground in the center of a property may be much higher than on the roof of a home or other structure.
Less expensive units that produce only a small amount of current can be purchased for under $1,000, and can generate enough power to run some lighting or an appliance. There are even miniature propeller-driven turbines that are used solely for battery chargers. Larger units, whether mounted on a tower or on a rooftop, can cost upwards of $10,000.
However, the government offers a tax credit upon purchase and installation of a Do-it-yourself wind turbine, and homeowners are actually paying up front what they would spend monthly if remaining on the utility grid. Once a home is being powered by a wind turbine, energy costs will not go up. The unit is already paid for, and the homeowner is totally free from rising electrical prices.
There’s a variety of wind turbine plans available for purchase on the Internet, nevertheless many wind turbine plans may be too complex or perhaps implement components that are not accessible to everyone.
Or even worse, the plans may seem straightforward, but end up producing a wind turbine that does not deliver results! It might mean days or weeks of hard work only to realize your own power resource won’t basically deliver one with any energy.
There is a new sense of urgency to “get off grid.” Individuals and companies alike are beginning to tap the power of the wind and utilize renewable energy wind turbines for home and commercial use. Estimates that over four times the world’s current energy consumption can be produced by this power is something to consider.