Green Energy and Alternative Power

After many name changes, specification changes and delays, the Honeywell Wind Turbine finally hit the sales market. Is this turbine worth it? I'll lay out the facts and you decide whether it will work for you.

Several years ago the plan was to call this turbine the "Earthtronics 760", which got bumped in favor of the "Windtronics 6000" and still overshadowed by the Honeywell Wind Turbine aka WT 6500, which incidentally isn't made by Honeywell at all, but then again big companies loan their name to all sorts of products.

SPECIFICATIONS
The name change wasn't the only thing to undergo metamorphosis, but the specifications also changed in diameter and weight, probably to get passed the safety ratings of UL and CSA certifications. The plan for the WT6500 was to be a diameter of 67 inches (just over five and a half feet) and weigh 170 pounds, which then was enlarged to 6 feet (1.8 m) in diameter, weighing 241 lbs (110 kgs). The decibels however remained the same at 35 db (at 10 feet), which is still quiet and the vibration is negligible since it has no central gear box and so that is also a plus.

The wind turbine still has of course the shrouded, enclosed blade system and the gearless blade tip power system or BTPS. The turbine has a system of magnets and stators surrounding its outer ring, capturing power at the blade tips where speed is greatest, which provides positives such as eliminating mechanical resistance and drag. Since the blade tips capture the power the turbine can start turning at winds of 1 mph, generating energy at 2 mph, and therefore operates 50% more of the time than traditional systems. Additionally, the multi-stage blades allows the system to react quickly to changes in wind speed, ensuring that the maximum wind energy is captured and has a 120 degree wide acceptance angle.

Picture permission granted to me from Windtronics

PRICING and things to Consider
Although a potential purchaser may be able to install the Honeywell Wind Turbine themselves, it still needs to be wired up by a certified installer at an average cost of $1,000 to $1500 (USD) plus electrical contracting costs, AND you will need an inverter. The system can be tied to the grid or off-grid, depending on the purchaser's needs. There is no additional fees on a monthly basis to be grid-tied (or off grid), however the initial setup is different, so if you decide to be off-grid and later want to switch to on-grid, there could be an additional cost at that time for the swap out of the inverter ( a one time charge of approx $900). Additionally, you should ask whether or not the inverter (or smart box - depending on the system) has a battery backup. If it does not include a battery, then your total cost could be several hundreds cheaper, for those type batteries are expensive. Being on battery backup however may have certain advantages you may want to ask about.

AVAILABILITY and INSTALLATION
The Windtronics wind turbine is available in the USA, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The units themselves are carried by select Ace Hardware stores across the country and Northern Tools also can order it for you. The national company called Mr. Electric does the installations. For more infomation on the turbine itself, see the link provided here for the Windtronics site. For contractors who would like to get certified for the install process, there is a company called Fluid that provides wind services that may be of some help.

OVERALL RATING and SUMMARY
The Honeywell Wind Turbine by Windtronics, which starts generating at 2mph enticed some people to buy and install this product but they were sadly let down, because they did not have wind speeds high enough to actually generate any electricity to offset their costs. They felt like the company did not state HOW much electricity (kilowatt per hour) would be generated at less than 2 mph winds for the whole day or even the whole week, and one customer's bad review is seen here. Although their wind turbine has the highest output, lowest cost per kWh installed turbine ever made (in class and size), it still will not work for everyone. I have included some tips in the next section on WHAT to check before buying.

Related reading for competitors to the Honeywell Wind Turbine

Wind Energy 7 AND

Swift Wind Turbine specifications page Note: uses java

Article is original
Pictures identified and labeled as company permission
Copyright retained

The move from commercial wind turbines on farms to personal size turbines just for the homeowner. Turbine styles, sizes, and descriptions included of horizontal axis versus vertical axis turbines. Pictures and links included.

More >> This is a link to another wind article previously written by me. Read the full article here.

Article originally written by me
Copyright retained

Before buying any turbine, I would suggest checking NOT ONLY the average wind speeds in your area, but also whether there are incentives or tax credits available to offset the cost, which might help you come to your decision. I've provided those links at the bottom. Additionallly, there is also a "Wind for Schools" program. I would also suggest checking out mortgage programs for housing with energy efficiency or renewable energy.

MOUNT METHODS: Rooftop vs. Pole
The small personal turbine for residential home use or small business use can be mounted on a pole or the rooftop, however some claim that rooftop mounts are not the best mount method because wind speed is reduced and turbulence is intensified. (Turbulence can lead to premature failure of the system.)

WIND SPEED AND WIND CLASS
Generally people have found that areas with annual average wind speeds around 6.5 miles per hour (mph) and an 80 meter install height are generally considered to have suitable wind resource. Personally I would NOT have a turbine installed for average wind speeds of only 2 mph. Additionally, class winds are read as follows: the higher the number class winds means more wind, which equals more electricity produced. In Class 4 (four) winds for example, people have experienced 18% of their bill absorbed.

WIND MEASURING EQUIPMENT
The U.S. National Park Service in some locales have borrowed equipment to quantify their wind resources, because they have such a vast area to measure, and may be purchasing a large quantity of turbines. This same equipment is also available to Native Americans so that they may measure the wind resources on tribal lands prior to the purchase of a turbine to check for cost effectiveness. An anemometer collects this wind-speed data in 10-minute intervals and programs are available in the links section near the bottom.

GRID-TIED and Selling Back Energy to your electric company
If you think you may be interested in selling back your electricity, you'll want to check rules in your local area. Some countries do not have this additional financial option, but the USA does. To find out how your excess energy that has been generated can then be sold back and returned to the grid, you'll want to know how your state handles net metering, which is found here.

OTHER RESOURCES
Generally speaking, a smaller area that is not being developed for wind production, like your home for example, would have approximate wind speeds listed OR either class of winds listed on the website links I have provided. See links section further down the page.

Article is original
Copyright retained

1) A United Kingdom organization for generating your own wind

2) Canadian Wind Energy Association for small wind turbines - in English

3) Danish Wind Industry Association - in English

4) U.K. wind speed database at Renewable UK (was British Wind Energy)

5) The most beautiful wind farms on earth - a picturesque view

6) Manufacturer of wind generators for yachts and marine

7) Incredible wind powered vehicles

Green Transportation including eco transit, transport and travel

Green Beauty Products: Know what's safe for you

Green Technology - green Pcs, eco cell phones, TVs and clocks

Stewardship, the Bible and Environment: Is it our responsibility?

Green Solutions for the Environment