How to Calculate The Return Your Turbine Will Produce
The Science Behind Home Wind Turbines
Wind turbines create energy through the process of converting wind into energy. This creates a sustainable and affordable source for energy. To ensure that the energy from a home wind turbine is reliable, you must determine how much energy your small wind turbine will produce.
There are a variety of reasons that people are interested in producing their own electricity through a domestic wind turbine. The ability to generate power without burning non-renewable fossil fuels allows you to reduce your dependence on the oil and gas market and the price fluctuations that they experience. By using a home wind turbine you can reduce, or possibly even eliminate, your home electricity costs.
Due to the increase in fuel costs, the reduction in small wind turbine prices and the increased interest in reducing pollution, interest in wind energy is increasing. In 2005, the overall increase in wind usage as a source of electricity among European countries has increase by 18%. To determine if your home could benefit from a small wind turbine, you will need to determine if your home receives enough wind and the amount of energy it will produce.
Average Mean Wind Speed
There is a minimum amount of wind that is required for a home wind turbine to generate sufficient energy. The first step in determining the amount of electricity that a wind turbine will produce on your property is to determine the average mean wind speed, or AMWS. The average mean wind speed must be over 5 m/s to generate sufficient energy to be considered a supplemental or replacement source for electricity.
The AMWS is determined over the course of an entire year. While some areas have an increase in seasonal winds, the year round average must be taken into consideration. To determine the most accurate AMWS you use an anemometer, which calculates wind speed, and join it to a data logger. This will keep a record of the wind speed over a period of time. To get the most accurate data, records will be kept for three years, to take into account long term weather patterns.
While measuring speed and recording the data using an anemometer and data logger is the most accurate method of determining the AMWS of a particular area, it is not realistic for many people. If you are ready to purchase a home wind turbine there are resources available on the internet that allow you to research the AMWS for various areas around the country. While these are only to be used as rough guides, it does give you an idea if you will save money by installing a small wind turbine.
The Cube Rule and Other Variables
Wind energy output is determined by something known as the cube rule. Basically the cube rule states that each time the wind speed doubles the output from the turbine increases eight times. Also, by doubling the diameter of the blade, you increase the electricity output by four. The larger the turbine, the larger the rotor, which is the single largest factor in determining the amount of power that is generated by a turbine.
It is important to take into account all the variables when choosing a small wind turbine. To ensure the largest savings on your home energy costs, it is important to consider the wind speed, best location and size of the home wind turbine.
Calculating the Amount of Electricity Your Small Wind Turbine Will Produce
There is a mathematical formula that is used to determine the amount of electricity that a home wind turbine will produce. To determine the amount of electricity produced you must know the AMWS. There are a variety of online tools available that allow you to enter the AMWS of your area and the rotor size that will give you the number of kilowatt hours of electricity that you can expect your wind turbine to generate.
Reducing Your Home Energy Costs with a Home Wind Turbine
Reducing your electricity costs with a home wind turbine makes excellent economic sense. Using wind, which is a renewable energy source, to generate electricity for your home can significantly reduce or even eliminate your home energy costs. Even if the area that you live does not have high enough winds to produce reliable energy year around, a small wind turbine can be used for supplemental energy. In many areas, the winds are stronger during the winter months. This coincides with the energy cost increases that occur during the winter due to heating needs and reduced daylight hours.
With energy costs only increasing, making an investment in a home wind turbine will give you many years to pay back the investment as well as reduce your home energy expenditures. Particularly for people who live in rural areas and are able to locate their home wind turbine away from buildings, trees and other obstructions, thereby increasing the average mean wind speed, the savings generated by a small wind turbine can be substantial.
More Information:
Economics of going 'Off Grid' (including calculation spreadsheet)Economic Case for Home Turbines
Home Turbine Output Calculator
Home Turbines Are A Worthless, Dangerous, Wasteful Vanity
(article at treehugger.com)