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Wind solar turbine

April 8th, 2010

At present the state of the planet is of huge concern, the environmental crisis is certainly spurring on some amazing innovation in the field of renewable energy systems. The truth of global warming demands that we aggressively pursue innovative methods to produce clean affordable energy while restoring our environment’s health. Solar power and wind power are the two main available sources of power on our planet. Both are renewable energy sources and are abundant all year round in all areas, but still produce less than 5% of the world’s electric power.

We are now capable to combine the most powerful and abundant forces of nature, available to all of us every day. Take for example this very interesting device – a vertical axis wind turbine embedded with solar cells. So if the sun’s shining, but the wind is not blowing you’ve still got juice; and vice-versa. If you have both that is even better.

Although solar power or wind power alone can fluctuate but when used together they provide a reliable source of energy. In many areas once the sun is strongest the wind speed is low and while the wind speed is highest the sun is often the weakest as in winter. The ideal solution is to join these two forms of energy sources to create a constant energy flow. This hybrid system balances out the fluctuations in these powers to give a more smooth flow.

A German company has created the first integrated solar vertical axis wind turbine. The company, Bluenergy AG, based their design on sailing engineering. Elements Projected to Comprise the First Generation Bluenergy Solarwind™ Turbine are:

  1. Solar cell Encapsulation technology: Solar cells are covered by layers of pure fluoropolymer (a clear film) in spite of standard glass or aluminum. In order to increase the efficiency of the solar cells, the cell’s surface has a Dendrite system which absorbs the sun light from all angles.
  2. Double-helix shaped Wind Vanes:  The wind rotor is rotated by two spiral-formed vanes. According to the site, the installation costs comparatively little, produces no noise and can be easily maintained from ground level.
  3. Generator: The generator has rare earth magnets functional on its rotor, providing high efficiency. The fixed winding of the rotor is constantly activated through these magnets, so that the generator straight away delivers power even at low revolutions per minute.
  4. Inverter: The inverter merges the solar electricity and wind generated electrically into one current. The output is standard AC current.
  5. Bearings: The Turbine Axis: The axis is a hollow, re-enforced steel pole, using a double frictionless bearing system to reduce resistance, while increasing efficiency. This unique bearing system permits self-stabilization of the rotating turbine, so that even in very high winds, the heavy material stresses and loads are reduced and remain completely balanced.

How it works

The solar wind turbine generator uses solar panels to collect light and convert it to energy along with wind turbines to collect energy from the wind. Solar wind charge controllers control the charging of the energy before it is stored in the battery banks. An inverter, positioned in the battery bank, alters the current from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current which is the type of power used in the majority homes and businesses).

Concept Behind Wind Solar Turbine

Advantages of solar wind turbine:

  1. Utilization of wind and sun energy makes it a unique and beautiful design.
  2. The device is harmless for people, animals and nature.
  3. Uses winds from all directions.
  4. Totally noiseless (no sounds besides the wind) because of its spiral shape and the speed of rotation does not exceed the wind speed.
  5. It starts charging with very low wind speeds.
  6. It does not require shutdown during heavy storms; highest RPMs yield highest electricity output.
  7. It requires low maintenance and repair cost.
  8. The generator is located in the base on the ground, hence requires easy maintenance, system monitoring, and replacement of all parts.
  9. No repairs or replacements at tall heights, as compared to traditional turbines in which propellers and generators are mounted on tall towers.
  10. No cranes are needed as it includes Hydraulic up-righting of the turbine from the ground.
  11. No operating or fuels costs are needed as both the solar radiation and the winds are provided by Nature.
  12. Consistent energy generation throughout the year (during winter from more wind, during summer from more sun)

Facts:

  1. Using solar cells on the wind vanes increases the power output of the wind turbine by approximately 30-35% and allows electricity to be made even when the wind is calm.[#1]
  2. Both the wind and solar energies are renewable energy sources and are abundant all year round in all areas, but still produce less than 5% of the world’s electric power.
  3. Solar wind turbine produces about 50% more electricity than traditional horizontal propeller turbines, higher yield from both low and high wind speeds and from the solar cells.[#2]
  4. Solar wind turbine only needs winds of 4mph to start spinning, its power rated for speeds of up to 90mph!
  5. In Solar wind turbine, solar cells are cooled by the rotation, maintaining electrical generation efficiency.
  6. In Solar wind turbine no gears are needed as contact-free current flows from the rotation of the wind vanes into the generator.
  7. The system of Solar wind turbine comes with an inverter in the base that will deliver either 120v or 240v AC into a home or net metered directly into the grid.
  8. The Solar wind turbine is harmless for people, animals and nature.
  9. Current models of solar wind turbine range in output from 2KW for homes to 8KW for commercial use.[#3]

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Windmill Blades

April 2nd, 2010

The energy crisis caused a considerable growth of interest in alternative sources of energy in the past few years. Among the several energy sources being explored, wind energy which is a form of solar energy, become a significant energy source. If the efficiency of a windmill can be increased, then the dependency on expensive, polluting power generators will be reduced. By doing this, we would be helping the environment and economy at the same time. In order to increase the efficiency, we must analyze the components. The most important components of a windmill are windmill blades.windmill blades before instalation

Factors affecting the performance of windmill blades:

Shape of Blade

This is important because if an optimum blade shape is discovered, then the overall productivity of a windmill can be increased. The shape of windmill blades highly influences their rotation. Few different shapes of windmill blades available are: the flat, rectangular ones, the wing shaped ones and the ones with edges tapered to a thin line or edges rounded similar to the ones of an airplane wing. In the case of the horizontal axis windmills, the wing shape has proved to be the most efficient one. The vertical axis windmills works very well with all the shapes of the windmill’s blades, however the best performance is given by the flat ones as well as the ones with both edges rounded.

Material for Windmill Blades:

Decades ago wood was used to make the windmill blades. Nowadays wood is still used but the design is however different and a lighter wood material is used, to carve the blade and faster speed rotation.
The latest blade design is made of fiber-glass and epoxy resin. Although this blade is in its first stages and not yet marketed, what makes it unique is its curvature like tip which allows it to catch low wind speeds.

However some turbine blades have even been made with the raw material made for PVC piping which have been found to break in strong lengthy winds, but are inexpensive to replace.

The turbine blades made of carbon fiber are light weight, and has a razor sharp edge which allows it to literally cut through the wind and makes it almost silent. This material is preferred and is used in most wind turbine machines sold today.

Length of windmill blades

The length is also an important factor. If a blade is longer, it covers a larger surface while it rotates, hence they can catch more wind with every rotation. This may show the way to more torque. These blades are growing longer from the 30 to 40 meters up to 60 meters.

Number of Blades:

The most important thing to take into consideration when talking about windmill blades is their number. The old ones normally had 4 very heavy blades. Majority of them were use in grain grinding. After that three blades became the most popular. More blades seemed to raise noise and slow down the rotation of the turbine’s propeller formation. After more research was done the perception of using more than three blades was no longer a factor. Currently, the most recent windmills are equipped with two or three blades.

Surface Treatment

This is important since if an optimum surface treatment can be determined, the blades would not only be protected from the elements but also be more productive.

Tip Speed Ratio

The tip speed ratio is very important. The ratio of the speed of the wind and the speed of the blade tips is called Tip Speed Ratio. High efficiency 3-blade-turbines have tip speed of 6 to 7. The tip speed ratio is directly proportional to the windmill’s productivity.

If the efficiency of a wind turbine is improved, then more power can be generated thus decreasing the need for costly power generators that cause pollution. This would also lessen the cost of power for the common people. The wind is factually there for the taking and doesn’t cost any money. Power can be produced and stored by a wind turbine with little or no pollution. If the efficiency of the common wind turbine is enhanced, the common people can cut back on their power costs enormously. Wind energy contributes very little pollution, toxic by-products or greenhouse gasses; it is still a sufficient supplement for non-renewable fuels

Facts

  1. Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable sources of energy.
  2. Wind energy is the fastest growing section of all renewable energy sources.
  3. Wind energy is incredibly exploited in Germany where Germany leads the way with 8750 MW of electrical energy produced from wind energy.[#1]
  4. Wind energy is more used in Europe than in America, because of favorable climate conditions and because of USA traditional relying on fossil fuels.[#1]
  5. Wind energy is mainly transformed form of the Sun’s energy. Wind energy is airflows created by different air temperatures in different locations. The sun does all these Earthly dynamics. That’s why wind energy is solar energy.
  6. If properly developed, wind power could successfully reduce carbon emissions in the US by at least one third every year and help realize a global carbon dioxide reduction of 4% yearly.
  7. In 2006, seven wind turbines off the coast of Dublin, Ireland, represent the largest wind turbines in the world with a capacity of 3.6 MW each. By 2009, the largest wind farm is positioned in the US. It is the Florida Power and Light’s Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center, in Taylor County, Texas. It has 421 wind turbines having a capacity of 735 megawatts.
  8. In 2005 wind energy generated less than 1% of global energy and generated 58,982 MW worldwide. By end 2008 it measured 27,051 MW. 8% of Europe electricity is derived from wind, well ahead of coal and natural gas. The US is the country with the largest wind energy capacity and China exceeded its 2010 target of 10,000 to reach 12,200 MW.[#3]
  9. At the 2004 Wind Energy expo in Hamburg, Germany Danish company LM Glasfiber aired out the world’s longest windmill blade. The blade was 61.5 meters long and weighed in at just less than 18 tons, which as far as 61.5 meter windmill blades go, is extremely light. When three blades are positioned on a windmill they have a rotary diameter of 126 meters. [#4]
  10. Wind energy theory was discovered in 1919 by the German physicist Albert Betz and published in his book “Wind-Energie”.[#1]
  11. In 1995, the cost of electricity generated from gas and coal was between 3 and 4 US cents per kilowatt-hour, nuclear power cost 10 to 14 cents, wind power was 5 to 7 cents and solar photovoltaic power was 25 to 40 cents. But the price gap between non-renewable and renewable energy is closing. By 2030, wind, solar and biomass power may cost less than fossil or nuclear fuels.[#2]

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Whisper Wind Turbines

March 20th, 2010

The energy sector is greatly responsible for climate change and atmospheric pollution. Wind is a clean and environment friendly source of energy that produces electricity. Its renewable character and the fact that it does not pollute during its operational phase makes it one of the best promising energy systems in reducing environmental problems at global and local levels. However, wind energy, may cause impacts on the environment which should be analyzed and mitigated.

Whisper a name with more than 10 years of knowledge in the field, has been re-engineered and started under the Southwest Wind power family of wind turbines. The Whisper has an all-new appearance having a cast aluminum frame and smooth, quiet operation of the patented “angle-governor” furling design.

Whisper 100

Whisper 100 formerly known as Whisper H40, has been updated with new features and added flexibility for renewable energy system. It provides reliable energy for remote homes, telecommunications sites and rural applications in moderate to extreme environments. Dependable operation by thousands of customers makes Whisper 100 the top selling small wind turbine in its class. The Whisper 100, have 7 ft. (2.1m) rotor diameter and 40 sq. ft. swept area, which makes it rugged enough for extreme environments.

The Whisper 200 also includes a permanent magnet alternator powered with an advanced airfoil, as a result capturing the most energy in its class as compared to other competitive wind turbines. The Whisper will deliver 6.3 KWH per day. The Whisper 200 produces more noise than its Whisper100, but it does produce almost twice the power. The Whisper200 can be installed in just a few hours with no welding, no concrete or cranes.

Whisper 500 formerly H175

Formerly the Whisper 175, the Whisper 500 has a 14-foot (4.26m) rotor diameter providing 175 sq. ft. of swept area. The H500 has been redesigned, including a stronger, larger yaw shaft, new blade stabilizer straps and a third spindle bearing for increased reliability.

The Whisper 500 have a handmade fiberglass and foam core blade used for smooth, high efficiency operation and low wind start-up. It also includes the patented “angle governor” design for quiet operation in high winds, which is an ANGLE-FURL™, an incredibly effective, Whisper quiet, method of protecting the Whisper 500 in high winds and helps in maintaining the maximum output in all winds. The Whisper 500 is an outstanding machine for village power projects, farms, ranches, back-up power and remote homes, and off grid living with large energy demands. This 3000- watt rated turbine will deliver in excess of 500 KWH per month assuming a 12 mph (5.4 m/s) wind.

The Whisper wind turbine towers involve no welding however the largest towers need concrete. These are available in different heights like 24ft, 30ft, 50ft, 65ft and 80ft. All the installations can be done efficiently on the ground. The Whisper tower kits contain anchors, pope materials and power wires.

Whisper Controller and Digital Display

The Whisper 100, Whisper200, Whisper 500 Whisper 100 comes with the new Controller that presents greater reliability and superior control for battery charging. Its compact cabinet design features effortlessly settable voltage regulation points; load dump and load dump isolation from the battery.

Whisper controller protects both wind turbine and battery. It can be installed in minutes and it fits easily inside your battery room. You can add the optional LCD display and you will instantly receive real time data on the performance of your Whisper. The display can be mounted on the controller or up to 1000 feet away, so you can monitor performance in the comfort of your home. You can even add an anemometer to the controller so you can measure wind speed, and compare it to the output from your Whisper.

Facts

  1. Offshore wind power plants can deliver seven times the energy as land-based plants.
  2. There are three British offshore wind farms having a combined capacity of 210 MW.
  3. Wind energy can provide new sources of income to some rural areas having favorable climate conditions.
  4. Wind energy use has been growing movement in many countries, mainly in Europe.
  5. Wind energy can be shortly the cheapest way to produce energy on the large scale, particularly in areas with suitable climate conditions.
  6. Wind energy assures high working reliability, no fuel costs and no pollution.
  7. In recent years wind energy has provided for over 20% of the power consumption of Denmark, providing energy for a large number of homes and businesses throughout the country each year.[#1]
  8. The National Renewable Energy Labs stated that the Whisper 100 was one of the quietest wind turbines ever tested.[#2]
  9. According to the experts, in the United States alone if the 10 windiest states were to fully utilize their available wind sources the energy produced could compensate the entire coal-based power production facilities presently being used and substitute them entirely.[#1]
  10. If properly developed, wind power could successfully reduce carbon emissions in the US by at least one third every year and help realize a global carbon dioxide reduction of 4% yearly.[#1]
  11. In order to replace all energy consumption needs of the world with wind power production about 13% of all land will need to be developed for wind energy purposes, assuming the placement of six large wind power generators per square kilometer in certain area 80 meters above sea level in order to maximize wind energy potential. This can of course be reduced if we were to rely upon offshore wind energy production facilities as well as onshore ones.[#1]
  12. The large commercial wind turbines can be 500 feet high, and generate electricity in a 700 kW to 2.5 MW range. The farm or large yard turbine towers run about 30 to 50 feet in height, and can generate about 10 kW power. Rooftop models lack the height needed to get up into the best wind currents, and they need to be smaller all around to fit in with the overall look of any residence. Obviously they would produce far less energy, but enough to power lighting or small appliances.[#3]
  13. Top three nations now producing wind power are Germany, Spain, and the United States. Even in the forward looking US, the power produced is only less than a half of one percent of all electricity produced (2005). And, only half the states even have wind farms. Colorado is one of the leaders in renewable resource energy. The wind mill giant company based in Denmark, Vestas, has recently chosen to locate a new manufacturing plant, with about 1350 new jobs, just outside of Denver, in Colorado.[#3]

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