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).

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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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.

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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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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The need of the hour is sustainable and green energy. We can no longer afford to emit tones of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, nor can we cope with the rising fuel prices anymore. The myth of infinite natural reserves has been dispelled. We have lot other renewable sources of energy all around us to be tapped.

Wind is a form of solar energy. The irregular heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth’s surface, plus rotation of the earth causes winds. This wind flow, or wind energy, when “harvested” by wind turbines produces energy which can be trapped to generate electricity and perform many functions.

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) are a form of wind turbine in which the blades are connected to a vertical axis. They are omni-directional which implies that it can instantaneously accept wind from any direction not like Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) which have to constantly rotate so that they are facing the wind.

VAWT is near the ground, having all of the main components close to the ground. Early designs (Savonius, Darrieus, giromill and cycloturbine) had some drawbacks like the pulsatory torque that can be produced during each revolution and the huge bending moments on the blades. But the later designs like Turby, quietrevolution and aerotecture solved these shortcomings. VAWTs provided an economical alternative for domestic applications having the ability to self-start in light winds and are noise free.

Vertical axis wind turbines usually are created from lift-based or drag based designs. Following are some of examples of VAWT:

Anemometer: The 3-cup anemometer for measuring wind speed is an example of drag based vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT). If the cup’s velocity is same as the wind speed, it can be said that the instrument is working with a tip speed ratio (TSR) of 1. These cups can never go faster than the wind; therefore TSR will always be 1 or less.

Darrieus: Lift based models can provide more efficiency and more power than drag based turbines. Darrieus Vertical-Axis Machines is an example of Lift- based designs. This vertical axis wind turbine is shaped like an “eggbeater”. This VAWT produces large torque ripple and cyclical stress on the tower, which contributes to poor dependability. Generally they also require some external power source, or an additional Savonius rotor to start turning, as the starting torque is very low.

The Turby: It is a brand of vertical-axis Darrieus wind turbine. This wind turbine consists of three vertical symmetrical airfoil blades, with each blade having a helical twist. Due to symmetry of the turbine and of the blades, there is no torque on a stationary turbine, as with a Darrieus turbine. Starting is attained by operating the generator as a motor. Torque is created by a change in the apparent wind direction relative to the moving blades.

The quietrevolution qr5: This is an inventive wind turbine which works well in the urban environment, where wind directions change frequently. This design is the result of a grouping of sound engineering principles and state-of-the-art aerospace technology. The quietrevolution qr5 differs from a horizontal axis wind turbine in that it doesn’t need to change its orientation to track the wind.

People are interested in vertical axis wind turbines as along with new technologies they are making them a more viable alternative. These Vertical axis wind turbines are best suited for home as well as residential use as they are smaller and can be installed on a rooftop or in a backyard. These turbines come in many different sizes, shapes and colors.

Some advantages of vertical axis wind turbines are:

1. Lots of VAWT’s are bladeless, turning instead with flanges or other wind-catching outcroppings that don’t obstruct with the birds’ flight and hence they tend to be bird-friendly.

2. Design and efficiently of VAWT’s make them generally turn at lower wind speeds than other varieties. This is particularly true of magnetic wind turbines or (Maglev turbines) that have low resistance because of the use of magnets.

3. Unlike horizontal turbines, VAWT’s can be mounted closer to the ground for instance upon a rooftop rather than a 50 ft. to 300 ft. tower.

4. Various VAWT’s have a cylindrical or helical design, which makes them less affected by cross winds.

5. quieter than other models

6. VAWT need not be pointed in to the wind.

7. VAWT’s don’t need as much wind to start spinning and they can utilize wind from any direction. Unlike horizontal wind generator they are not that effected by cross winds.

8. VAWT has the compact size which can fit almost anywhere, and don’t necessarily need to be posted on a high spot. They can be fitted in the yard, on an outdoor porch, and on top of a home or garage.

Wind Energy Facts and Figures

1.Germany is the world’s largest wind energy producer and United States is second in wind energy production.

2.Denmark, Ireland, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom are the five countries currently having offshore wind turbines.[#2]

3.The top known U. S. state for wind energy is Texas which is followed by California.[#2]

4.One megawatt of wind energy created translates to $1 million in economic development together with site planning, building, delivery, assembly and other benefits.[#2]

5.According to American Wind Energy Association, the use of U. S. wind turbines may lessen the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by one-third.[#2]

6.Over 80% of the costs for wind energy are because of construction materials and building.[#2]

7.Wind turbines have been used to generate electricity for over 100 years.[#2]

8.Wind is an alternating energy source and does not provide power on demand as will fossil fuel power plants.

9.Homeowners can sell excess wind energy back to the utility companies.

10.One megawatt of wind energy is sufficient to power 250 to 300 houses.

11.The majority of home wind turbines are rated at 50 kilowatts or less.

12.Wind turbines use the kinetic energy of the wind and convert it into mechanical power or electricity.

13.Most of the older issues with wind turbines such as noise, visual impacts and bird mortality have been resolved with VAWTs latest improvements.

14.As of 2008, 35 states in the U. S. are producing electricity from wind energy.[#2]

15.Wind powered electricity generation has undergone considerable growth in installed capacity from ~6,100MW in 1996 to 94,123MW at the end of 2007 and a forecast of 240,300MW by the end of 2012.[#3]

16.According to the Global Wind Energy Council, Canada increased its installed wind energy capacity by 113 per cent in 2006, bringing it up to 1,459 megawatts – enough capacity to provide the energy needs of nearly a million households, while preventing the emission of 3 million tones of carbon dioxide a year. [#4]

I found VAWT as innovative, quiet and reliable. So what are you waiting for be powered by wind energy and invest in the future. It will reduce or even eliminate your reliance on utility companies and although you aren’t fully off the grid, your overall energy bills can be reduced by half or more. That is for sure, there won’t be any time when there is no wind here on Earth that is just how Mother Nature works. But, there is always some kind of wind, no matter where you live. It is most important that we all do our part to conserve energy, and whatsoever it takes to save our Planet.

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Myth No 1 – Building a wind turbine will power your home

A Residential Wind Turbine at Work

Most people think building a wind turbine will power their homes. But the wind turbine is Only One of the essential parts of your residential wind power system. There are other essential elements to complete it. First you have to store the generated electricity. Lead-acid batteries are commonly used for this purpose. You have to regulate the electricity coming from the turbine and charge these batteries to store electricity. Once stored, you will have to convert the stored electricity to AC current with correct voltage to power your home appliances like your lighting. If this is not performed correct your electric equipment can blow or will not work.For this purpose an inverter is used. Then there are various other equipment like meters, switches, electric circuits and safety devices to complete your home wind system. All these are equally important.

Myth No 2 – It is very easy to produce wind power

Building a wind turbine is not rocket science. You can do it yourself without any doubts. But it is not easy as you may think. You must have a good design to start with. When you do it yourself, I suggest using a proper guiding document. These guides can be found in the internet for around $100. But as you know internet is filled with junk products. So to choose a proper guide look at the experience of the author. He should have done this by himself. Guide should be simple and even an average person with little technical skills should be able to follow it. Check for the testimonials to get a feel about how others think about the product. Check whether site gives you testimonial proofs (this is required to check whether these are genuine).

Investing few dollars for a proper guide(or a book) can be the most important decision you make in your entire project. There are two advantages of using a good guide. First it will save you money, time and effort in making your wind power system. Secondly it will make sure you achieve intended result.

Myth No 3 – It is costly to build a wind turbine on your own

People think it is costly to build a wind turbine. In fact some people will spend 1000’s of dollars in building them even without achieving the intended results. But in reality it is not that costly to build a wind turbine on your own even if you are not an expert. There are some guides which will show you how to build a residential wind power system for less than $200 in your own backyard.

Myth No 4 – It is noisy

Yes, wind mills make noise. But how much of noise is the question. A Good quality wind mill will only be loud as your refrigerator. In other words a good quality wind mill is very silent. To make your windmill noise free, you have to be careful in every step in building it. You will have to choose correct parts (No, Not expensive parts, but good quality parts) and you must follow a professional design.

Myth No 5 – It will reduce the value of your property

Some people have reported drop in their property value after they build their wind systems. But some people have experienced exactly the opposite is true. Their property value has gone up when they built their wind mill. Interesting question is why any potential buyer should be upset for getting free electricity. It is mainly to do with the looks of your turbine. A wind turbine is the first thing anyone would see because it is a tall structure. So your wind turbine should look professional. A professional looking wind turbine will increase the value of your property, while silently saving you thousands of dollars every year.

If you were blinded by any of the myths above I believe now you are feeling relieved. Wind is a powerful energy source. It is one of the easiest and efficient ways of powering your home. Once you set up your residential wind power system, it will produce electricity for years to come with minimal maintenance.

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The pressing need for the world to find clean, renewable resources that won’t harm the environment has become a task we can’t ignore any longer. Out of all the renewable resources in this world, the easiest and most viable resource is the pure untainted power that comes from the wind.

For centuries, mankind has harnessed this power. It has powered the sails of our ships to discover new and uncharted lands. It has driven our wind mills to grind our grain. And it has given us the power of flight, helping what would seem impossibly heavy aircraft to soar gracefully through the skies. Wind is a clean, reliable source of energy that, when harnessed for electricity, doesn’t emit any pollutants or toxins into the air like the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum does.

Helical Wind Turbine Design

Many different designs of wind turbines have been created over the years in an effort to more effectively capture wind power, and research and development still continues to fine tune these concepts. One such design that has gained a lot of popularity recently in the residential and urban markets is the helical wind turbine.

The helical wind turbine is a vertical axis turbine or a VAWT. This means that the main rotor shaft runs vertically. As an evolutionary development of the Darrieus wind turbine, a turbine created by French aeronautical engineer Georges Jean Marie Darriues in 1927, the helical wind turbine features three airfoil blades that have a helical twist of 60 degrees.

While the Darrieus model was a revolutionary concept of its time, there have been many engineering faults discovered in the design since, which has created a spark of engineering ingenuity that piggy backs on this original design. The helical wind turbine is one of the more successful design concepts that has really taken off in the urban and residential areas. That’s because it still has the power to turn from relatively low winds, which are present in an urban environment.

The Many Benefits to Helical Wind Turbines

There are many advantages to the DNA shaped helical wind turbine. The first big advantage is that they are much quieter than the turbines that consist of blades because they have slower speeds along the blade tips. This allows these types of turbines to be placed in residential areas since they are almost silent during operation 1.

One big disadvantage to the original Darrieus turbine model is that, over time or with high wind speed, the eggbeater shafts of the turbine would bend and become damaged. However, with the helical wind turbine, this damage is averted by the shape of the helical wind turbine. That’s because this unique shape spreads the torque evenly throughout the revolution of the blades and prevents this damage from occurring.

Another reason the helical wind turbine is gaining in popularity in residential and urban areas is that they only need slow minimum wind speed to start and operate the turbine. They can also be placed lower to the ground and on rooftops and they can turn no matter which way the wind is blowing 2.

Rooftop Helical Windturbine

Helical wind turbines can also be used in regions where there are very high wind speeds. Blade turbines often need to be shut down for safety purposes if the winds get too high. This allows more uptime for the helical wind turbine to generate electricity.

These turbines are also more eco-friendly. There have been cases where the traditional blade turbines have been reported to cause the death of many raptors and bats. However, with the helical wind turbine, the danger to wildlife has been averted with hardly any cases reported since increased installations have begun to populate the United States.

There has also been a decent amount of uproar from communities about traditional wind turbines because of the aesthetics of the actual machine. The bladed turbines need to be high enough to capture the wind and usually are coupled with several machines. Communities have argued that they devalue the surrounding property. However, the current top brands of helical wind turbines are so graceful and elegant that they have literally been used as works of art in front of hotels and shopping malls.

Small Wind Making a Big Impact with Helical Wind Turbines

One of the biggest manufacturers of the helical wind turbine is called Quietrevolution and their products can be used to harness small wind. The importance of small wind has become a hot topic lately and the idea is catching on in the United States and across the world. The American Wind Energy Association reported that there has been a recent dramatic increase in the small wind market. In 2008, the market increased almost 78 percent! The United States also sold about half of the total wind turbines worldwide last year – almost $77 million worth 3.

These small wind helical turbines can be used for net metering as well. What that means is essentially any excess electricity the turbines produce gets fed back into the grid. The power company will then pay you at the end of the year for any power you supplied. They also qualify for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which gives consumers a 30 percent federal tax credit when they install these turbines.

Clean, Pure Energy All Around Us

The use of fossil fuels as the primary source of energy has caused the environment great harm over the years. The United States alone is responsible for more than 21 percent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is the main culprit and cause of the greenhouse effect 4. Fossil fuels also emit sulfur dioxide, which causes acid rain. The earth can’t take much more abuse from our energy production methods, especially when there are abundant sources of alternative energy that leaves little impact on the environment.

With the prices of oil and gas sky rocketing in the United States, the need to find and develop these alternative resources has become unavoidable in terms of maintaining the economy as well. It is only by truly devoting our time, money, and resource into researching and developing these clean renewable energies, like wind power, can we create a world free of pollutants and toxins, with energy that will last us for all time.

Learn More About Wind Turbines

Savonius wind turbine | Darrieus wind turbine

1. The Future of Things. Quetirevolution Helical Wind Turbine. http://thefutureofthings.com/pod/163/quietrevolution-helical-wind-turbine.html

2. Wind Turbines Now. Helical Wind Turbine. http://www.windturbinesnow.com/helical-wind-turbine.htm

3. Jetson Green. Small Wind Market Surges 78%, US Manufacturers Making Money! http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/small-wind-market-grows-78-percent-in-2008.html

4. Energy Information Administration. What Everyone Should Know About Energy, (July 2008).

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The power of the wind has been harnessed for centuries, driving ships to new and unexplored harbors and giving the gift of flight to mankind. Wind is a clean source of energy that is easily implemented and highly effective. But at this point in time,less then 1 percent of the energy produced by the United States is derived from wind power 1.

As the amount of pollutants entering our atmosphere from burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil continues to grow, the demand for clean, efficient energy that won’t damage the environment has the world searching for answers. Alternate forms of energy are being sought out and various methods of harnessing that energy have been researched and developed and put into action around the world. In the case of wind energy, one method of harnessing that power has been the Darrieus Wind Turbine.

The Darrieus Wind Turbine is a vertical axis turbine or VAWT, which means that the main rotor shaft runs vertically. The Darrieus Turbine dates back to 1927, when French aeronautical engineer Georges Jean Marie Darrieus patented this innovative turbine design. The Darrieus Wind Turbine resembles a gigantic eggbeater and has two main advantages. The first main advantage is that the equipment including the gear box and the generator can be placed close to the ground. The second advantage to this type of wind turbine is that you don’t need a new mechanism to turn the rotor against the wind 2.

Concept Of Darrieus Windturbine

The Darrieus Wind Turbine is a lift-type vertical axis turbine and can function effectively no matter which way the wind is blowing. This wind turbine is powered by the lift forces that are created by a set of airfoils, which are the actual wing-shaped blades of the turbine. These allow the turbine to reach speeds that are higher than the actual speed of the wind, which makes them well suited to generating electricity.

As the airfoils move forward through the air, the air flow creates an angle of attack that generates a force that gives a positive torque to the shaft of the turbine and helps it move in the direction it is already rotating. The same principles apply to a helicopter. That energy coming from the torque and the speed of the airfoils is then converted into electricity.

The Evolution of the Darrieus Wind Turbine

Several unique disadvantages have been discovered to the Darrieus wind turbine that have lead engineers to continue to modify the design although the general theory behind the Darrieus model still comes into play. The main disadvantages to the original design include the following:

1. The efficiency of the vertical axis turbine in and of itself isn’t very remarkable. The stress that the design experiences from the high winds can often damage the turbine and cause the eggbeater shafts to bend.
2. The Darrieus isn’t a self-starting turbine. It needs a push to get started. Some models that are connected to the grid have a small powered motor to begin the rotation.
3. Because wind speeds are close to ground level, there is very low wind speed on the lower part of the rotor.
4. The Darrieus Wind Turbine may need multiple guy wires to give it extra stability, but this isn’t practical in a farming environment and can make the entire design extremely unattractive.
5. To replace the main bearing of the rotor, you have to actually remove the rotor, which means practically tearing the whole machine down 3. That’s why a lot of Darrieus turbines today are not functioning.

Giromill

Because of these pretty serious limitations of the Darrieus Wind Turbine, several modifications have been made to enhance the productivity, efficiency, and the downtime of the design.

One common design alteration is called the giromill, which replaced the eggbeater design with straight vertical blades that are attached to a central tower. This design is cheaper and easier to build than the original Darrieus, however, they are less efficient and can at times struggle to keep up a steady rate of rotation 4

Another type of Darrieus design is called the Cycloturbine. This design mounts the blades around the vertical axis, which allows them to be appropriately pitched so they always have an angle of attack and are self-starting, a distinct advantage over the original Darrieus design.

One very recent design of the Darrieus wind turbine is what is being called the Windspire by Mariah Power. The Windspire is being used mostly for residential areas as the unit starts at only $6,500. It still follows the same principles of the Darrieus turbine design, but has abandoned the eggbeater shape for a more sleek and efficient design, not to mention more elegant. The Windspire is even being sold today as a sculpture for hotels and other commercial settings.

Darrieus Wind Turbines at Work throughout the World

There are several Darrieus Wind Turbines with the original eggbeater design still at work today, although most have been reduced to operating on rare occasions to extend the lifetime of the turbine. The largest Darrieus wind turbine is the Eole located in Cap-Chat, Quebec. It is almost 100 m tall and about 60 m wide 5 .

Eole Darrieus Wind Turbine in Canada

Another smaller turbine is located in the Sandia Laboratory in Bushland, Texas and stands 42 M high and 34 m wide. There was also an attempt to implement the Darrieus wind turbine on a large scale effort in California by the FloWind Corporation; however, the company went bankrupt in 1997.

While the original Darrieus wind turbine design is not as effective or applicable on a large scale model as we need it to be, it did lay the groundwork for further research and development of wind turbines throughout the world. Wind power is an excellent choice for providing clean, safe and reliable energy without harming the environment, and it is only by further exploration into more effective designs for the turbines that we can ultimately be free of energy sources that negatively impact the environment with harsh emissions and pollutants.

1. American Wind energy Association, Wind Power – Clean and Reliable. Http://www.awea.org/utility/pdf/wind_and_reliability_factsheet.pdf.

2. Wind Turbines: Horizontal or Vertical Axis Machines? http://www.windpower.org/EN/tour/design/horver.htm

3. American Wind energy Association, Wind Power – Clean and Reliable. Http://www.awea.org/utility/pdf/wind_and_reliability_factsheet.pdf

4. Giromill Darrieus Wind Turbines. http://www.reuk.co.uk/Giromill-Darrieus-Wind-Turbines.htm

5. Darrieus Wind Turbine Analysis. http://www.windturbine-analysis.netfirms.com/

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Wind, A pure, clean, renewable source of energy that we have been harnessing successfully for centuries. From the early windmills that would pump water for farming to the simple use of the wind in our sails, to giving our planes the power of flight, wind has been a consistent and reliable source of energy for mankind. And now, with the search for energy sources that don’t emit harmful pollutants into the air, the world is taking a closer look at how we can develop new and more efficient ways to generate electricity from the power of the wind.

Savonius Wind Turbine

One particular model of wind turbine that has been developed is called the Savonius wind turbine or S-rotor. The Savonius wind turbine is a type of vertical axis wind turbine or VAWT. It was created by Sigurd J. Savonius, a Finnish engineer, in 1922, although the very first to attempt to build this type of wind structure was Johann Ernst Elias Bessler in 1745, in Furstenburg, Germany. However, he fell to his death during construction of the windmill and sadly the building was never completed although it still stands to this day.

The Savonius Wind Turbine at Work

Concept of Savonius Turbine

The Savonius Wind Turbine is a drag type vertical axis wind turbine, and it operates by cupping and dragging the wind, causing the rotor to turn and generate electricity. The Savonius Wind Turbine usually has about two or three scoops or cups to catch the wind. The design allows the turbine to rotate relatively slowly, however, there is a high torque yielded from the rotation.

Unlike the Darrieus Wind Turbine, which uses airfoils and lift force to turn the blades, the Savonius Wind Turbine cannot rotate faster than the speed of the wind, making it an inefficient turbine for commercial use. However, the Savonius Wind Turbine is an effective electricity generator for residential areas as they are extremely quiet, easy to build, and relatively small 1.

The Savonius Wind Turbine is by far the simplest and most economical wind turbine design 2. You could even build one yourself from the many designs available on the internet using simple materials you can get at your local hardware store. These small scale Savonius Wind Turbines can be used for anything that requires a small amount of power such as an electric gate, outdoor lights, or pumping water.

Savonius Wind Turbine Is Perfect for Small Wind

The type of wind harnessing that the Savonius Wind Turbine can create efficiently is called small wind, and is an important part of the solution to global warming. Small wind energy is now one of the fastest growing forms of domestic and residential electricity generation and is a great investment for homeowners and small business owners.

Objections to small wind have usually revolved around the height and aesthetics of the actual turbine. To capture wind and efficiently generate energy, the typical wind turbine design needs to be extremely high. However, the Savonius Wind Turbine operates efficiently lower to the ground and some designs are extremely elegant to watch. And, because the Savonius Wind Turbine operates at low wind speeds, it’s perfect for areas that might not get as much wind as others as it is still able to effectively harness the wind for residential use.

Helix Wind Turbine

One example is from a company called Helixwind that started in 2006. They debuted their turbines at the Burning Man 2007 and now offer their vertical axis wind turbines to the public. Their models start at $6,500 and qualify for the 30 percent federal tax credit initiated by The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The systems can also be used in some areas for net metering, which mean that any excess electricity produced by your wind turbine can be fed back into the electric grid and could qualify you for a credit at the end of the year from the power company 3. Net metering currently isn’t available in all states, however, the number of states adopting this concept is growing.

The idea of small wind is rapidly catching on in the United States. A recent report from the American Wind Energy Association reported that there has been a dramatic increase in the small wind market – almost 78 percent growth in 2008! The United States also sold about half of the total wind turbine production worldwide – a total of $77 million 4.

This sudden growth of small wind production could be because of the new federal tax credit, the decrease in costs of the actual turbines, or the many different designs that are now available to the average consumer. Most consumers want to do what they can to help the environment and participate in the green movement.

The Necessity of Wind Power and the Savonius Wind Turbine

There are so many reasons in today’s world to research and develop new sources of clean energy. Right now, the majority of our energy comes from petroleum, natural gas, and coal – energy that has serious negative consequences on the environment. These resources create greenhouse gases and are responsible for global warming. They also emit the main culprit of acid rain – sulfur dioxide.

Worldwide, commercial use of wind power is increasing with Denmark, Spain, and Portugal receiving 20 percent of its electricity from the wind 5. And while the United States only has about 1 percent of energy production coming from wind power, US citizens are doing their share by beginning to embrace wind power for residential areas.

With the increase in oil and natural gas prices hitting the United States hard in this down economy, finding renewable sources of energy that can be found within our own borders has become extremely important. Only by embracing these natural, clean sources of energy, such as wind power, can we truly minimize our impact on the environment and create a sustainable source of reliable power that we can harvest right within our own borders – making us the self-sufficient entity we desperately need to become.

How to Power Your Home with Your Own Savonius Wind Turbine

Simple design of Savonius turbine makes it very easy to use for residential wind power. Below is a video explaining how to build a turbine for few dollars in your own back yard. This looks ugly and noisy. But with little more fine-tuning, I am sure this can become a very effective way of producing electricity. This video series contains two parts. First part is about building the rotor and then the second part on generating electricity using that rotor. You might not have to all the steps shown for yourself. You can buy some parts from the shop than building it. Thanks For the creator of this video series

Part 1 – How to Build the Rotor

Part 2- Generating Electricity with the Turbine

1. Savonius Wind Turbines. http://www.reuk.co.uk/Savonius-Wind-Turbines.htm

2. Energy Saving Now. Practical Wind Generated Electricity. http://energy.saving.nu/wind/winddesignprimer.shtml

3. Helixwind. http://www.helixwind.com/en/index.php

4. Jetson Green. Small Wind Market Surges 78%, US Manufacturers Making Money! http://www.jetsongreen.com/2009/06/small-wind-market-grows-78-percent-in-2008.html

5. American Wind Energy Association. Wind Power – Clean and Reliable. Http://www.awea.org/utility/pdf/wind_and_reliability_factsheet.pdf

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US energy consumption by source - Only 5% from wind energy

Wind. Clean, pure, renewable energy. Yet why is it that in the United States only 7% of our total energy consumption comes from renewable sources, and only 5% of that comes from wind 1

Take a look at the chart to the right. The majority of our primary energy consumption is powered by petroleum, natural gas, and coal. All of these resources have serious negative impacts on the environment and produce air pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gases warm the earth’s surface by trapping the heat of the sun. The United States is responsible for more than 21% of the world’s total emission of energy-related carbon dioxide the main culprit of the greenhouse effect 2. Other poisonous emissions from the consumption of primary energy sources include nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide – key contributors to acid rain.

While the United States uses less than 1% of wind power for our energy uses, the rest of the world is benefiting from this clean power source. Denmark receives more than 20% of its electricity from wind; Germany – 7%; Spain and Portugal – 20% 3.

What Is Wind Energy Exactly?

Scientifically speaking, wind is the result of the sun’s radiation. As the sun heats up parts of the earth, it heats different surfaces at different rates. This causes parts of the atmosphere to heat up, and, when the hot air rises from the earth’s surface, it reduces the pressure of the atmosphere and cooler air rushes in to replace it. Thus we have wind ­– a renewable source of clean energy ready for us to use.

Wind can then be converted to energy by using wind turbines. A wind turbine transforms the wind’s natural kinetic or moving energy into mechanical energy or what we know as electricity.

And the potential for energy creation using the power of the wind is vast! Winds that can be harnessed for commercial use can be found in up to 46 states. North Dakota alone could supply up to one third of the country’s electricity 4.

The Facts about Wind Farming

Windmill noice

There has been a lot of controversy about installing wind farms across the country. Most people object to the general aesthetics of the wind turbines and argue that they will devalue the surrounding properties. However, most farmers have actually discovered the opposite to be true. These turbines have become a popular tourist attraction and farmers can learn to monetize this attraction. “There is so much demand to view the wind turbines that the county is creating a pull-off area and working with the project owner to create an informational kiosk. The wind project has become a destination spot for tourists visiting nearby ski resorts and parks,” said Robert Burns, Executive Director Tucker County Development Authority in West Virginia.

Another myth is that wind turbines are noisy and will disrupt residential life, but in reality, a wind farm is about as loud as your kitchen refrigerator. The soft, gentle whooshing sounds that come from the turbines are hardly invasive. Take a look at the chart to the right to see a comparison on the amount of decibels a wind turbine generates 5.

People also may be under the impression that the turbines are dangerous because they may throw a blade or collapse. This is simply not true. Turbines are designed and engineered to the highest standards and they are so safe that they can and are installed near schools and highly populated areas.

Environmentalist concerned about the impact that turbines can have on the wildlife can also rest at ease. While there have been minimal cases of the turbines causing the deaths of raptors and bats, when compared to the major causes of human activities that cause the death of birds such as pesticides, vehicles, and buildings/windows, the number is miniscule at best 6.

Wind Farmers: A Way to Revitalize Today’s Sluggish Economy

In a study done by the US Department of Energy depicting what the economy would look like in 2030 if the total energy generated by the United States increased to 20%, found that more than 500,000 new jobs could be created to support the industry ! 7

Renewable Energy Jobs

Agricultural farmers could also benefit from wind farming as most wind turbines are placed in rural farmland. For every 50 acres, less then one acre is taken up by the wind turbine. By leasing land from struggling farmers, we can supply them with an extra source of income. For a 250 acre farm, wind production would only take up about 2-3 acres and potential income could be more than $14,000 a year. Also, because there are no harmful emissions from the turbines, farming can continue around the towers in terms of raising crops or cattle 8.

How Wind Farming Helps Communities

Wind farming can help communities in a number of ways. For example, the state of Texas has been welcoming wind farming with open arms. Wind farms can help support the local tax base, giving much-needed money to schools and roads. In 2002, Texas’ taxable value of wind power plants was $777 million and the property tax payments to local schools were $11.2 million. Farmers who leased their land made $2.5 million and more than 2,500 jobs were created 9.

Windmil in operation

One school in Spirit Lake, Iowa discovered just how beneficial wind energy is. They installed a 250-k W turbine at the elementary school, which provides the school with more than enough energy to power it for the entire year. The school also earned $25,000 in its first five years of operating the turbine with the amount of excess energy it was feeding into the local utility system 10.

Looking to a Cleaner, Healthier Environment

The United States has a lot of catching up to do when it comes to installing sources of renewable energy. Our reliance on other countries to provide us with energy has been crippling at times with the price of natural gas and petroleum creeping ever upward.

Wind power can provide our economy and the environment with a safe, reliable, renewable source of power that we can harness within our own borders inexpensively and with minimal impact on the environment. It is only by embracing natural power such as wind that we will be able to begin to rectify the damage we have already exacted on the earth and eliminate harmful emissions that can cause serious health issues and cataclysmic effects to our natural ecosystem.

Learn More About Different types of Wind Turbines

Savonius wind turbine | Darrieus wind turbine | Helical Wind Turbine

References

1. Energy Information Administration, Renewable Energy Consumption and Electricity Preliminary 2007 Statistics, Table 1, (May 2008).

2. Energy Information Administration, What Everyone Should Know About Energy, (July 2008).

3. American Wind Energy Association, Wind Power – Clean and Reliable, http://www.awea.org/utility/pdf/Wind_and_Reliability_Factsheet.pdf

4. American Wind Energy Association, Wind Power Today, (2007). 5. American Wind Energy Association, Wind Power Myths vs. Facts, (2007).

6. Erickson et al., Summary of Anthropogenic Causes of Bird Mortality (2002).

7. U.S. Department of Energy. 2008. 20% Wind Energy by 2030. DOE/GO-102008-2567. Washington, DC.

8. American Wind Energy Association. Wind Energy Fact Sheet.

9.American Wind Energy Association, Wind Power Myths vs. Facts, (2007).

10. Spirit Lake Wind Project. http://www.spirit-lake.k12.ia.us/~jtirevold/bg/SLCS%20Wind%20Energy%20History.htm (May 2009).

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