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What Is Residential Wind Power?
Wind Power As Defined By Wikipedia
Residential wind power is just wind power being used to power your home.
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into a useful form, such as electricity, using wind turbines. At the end of 2008, worldwide nameplate capacity of wind-powered generators was 121.2 gigawatts (GW).
Wind power produces about 1.5% of worldwide electricity use,Wind Power Increase in 2008 Exceeds 10-year Average Growth Rate and is growing rapidly, having doubled in the three years between 2005 and 2008. Several countries have achieved relatively high levels of wind power penetration, such as 19% of stationary electricity production in Denmark, 11% in Spain and Portugal, and 7% in Germany and the Republic of Ireland in 2008. As of May 2009, eighty countries around the world are using wind power on a commercial basis.
Large-scale wind farms are typically connected to the local electric power transmission network; smaller turbines are used to provide electricity to isolated locations. Utility companies increasingly buy back surplus electricity produced by small domestic turbines. Wind energy as a power source is attractive as an alternative to fossil fuels, because it is plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and produces no greenhouse gas emissions; however, the construction of wind farms (as with other forms of power generation) is not universally welcomed due to their visual impact and other effects on the environment.
Wind power is non-dispatchable, meaning that for economic operation all of the available output must be taken when it is available, and other resources, such as hydropower, and standard load management techniques must be used to match supply with demand. The intermittency of wind seldom creates problems when using wind power to supply a low proportion of total demand. Where wind is to be used for a moderate fraction of demand, additional costs for compensation of intermittency are considered to be modest.
Studies of a pan european power grid, show that wind can be used to meet eg 70% of load, over a wide area of interconnected grids, and then the costs of electricity delivered into the consuming country are comparable to present day power costs. http://www.claverton-energy.com/talk-by-dr-gregor-czisch-at-the-5th-claverton-energy-conference-house-of-commons-june-19th-2009.html
Residential Wind Power San Francisco
This residence in San Francisco gets 40 percent of its power from the wind.
Working with the wind
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and CNET News.com's Kara Tsuboi tour a home that gets 40 percent of its power from the wind. After the homeowner installed a 45-foot-tall turbine in her backyard, not only was she the talk of the neighborhood, but her home was named one of the 12 greenest houses in the world, according to the Discovery Channel. From : Cnet
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Is Small Wind Practical?
Opinions on residential wind energy vary depending on who you talk to.
In August of 2007, a story titled It's no breeze making switch to wind power ran in the British paper the Telegraph and clearly stated that, at least in the author's opinion, small wind wasn't ready for prime time.After waiting over a year for a site evaluation and consultation with the vendor, this British journalist decided against the planned purchase of a wind turbine. Concerns that led to the decision included noise, vibrations and lack of power during an electricity outage. In addressing these concerns, the vender was very up front. He said there are some wrinkles to be ironed out, but all three areas are being addressed. With the various new products and approaches being used, it was only a matter of time before more attractive solutions became available.
Fast-forward to December, 2007 and the media had begun to paint residential wind energy in a more positive light. On December 13, 2007, The New York Times ran an article casting small wind in a very positive light.
In the article: Homespun Electricity, From the Wind, writer Kristina Shevory profiled a number of success stories. One explained how Rena Wilson Jones and her husband took advantage of the high winds blowing through their property near Urbana, Illinois by erecting a 56-foot wind turbine.
It was spinning by early September, and their electricity bills dropped sharply, from $90 to $10 for November, one of the windier months.
The article also went into some detail about the growth of the industry in recent years and the reasons for it before touching on some of the hurdles that have yet to be overcome.
I guess the verdict is still out, but it appears as though residential wind power is heading toward the mainstream.
For more information, see: Residential Wind Power Getting Some Positive Buzz.
Wind Turbine Utah
How Can I Get Started ?
Here are five steps to help you decide if residential wind power is right for you.
People trying to learn about residential wind power are often looking for a place to start. Today, I'm going to outline 5 steps you can take to determine if wind energy would be a practical way to help power your home.This is article was republished from my Residential Wind Power Blog. Here's the link to the original article: 5 Steps To Determine If Residential Wind Power Is Right For You.
Step 1
Get a handle on your electricity consumption.
In order to get a handle on your electricity consumption, you will have to go through several of your household utility bills to determine how much energy you use each month. It would be best if you could go back at least one year and get the monthly average for an entire calendar year. The number you come up with should be expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and will be used to determine how much electricity you will expect a residential wind turbine to produce. At this point you may also want to record your average monthly utility costs as well, since you will need that number for your final calculations in step five.
Step 2
Get an idea of the average wind speed in your area
There are a few different ways to get an idea of the average wind speed in your area. The most practical choice is to consult an online wind map if one is available for your area. If you're in the United States, take a look at the Wind Resource Maps from Wind Power America. You will have to choose your state and then click on the thumbnail graphic to see the full-sized wind map. You will want to record the number in your region measured in meters per second (m/s).
If you're not in the United States and your country doesn't have a wind map that is easily accessible to you, local airports often measure and record average wind speeds. Even if you are in the U.S., it might be worthwhile to consult the wind speeds recorded by a nearby airport and compare it to the numbers provided by the wind map.
The third approach to recording the average wind speed in your area is to take wind measurements yourself or pay a wind consultant to do it. For most residential wind power systems, the cost of taking wind measurements is probably not justified. The wind maps from the U.S. Department of Energy is sufficient for an experienced evaluator to predict wind turbine performance. In very hilly or mountainous areas, however, it may be best to collect wind data before purchasing a system to ensure that your site is not in a sheltered area.
Step 3
Research turbines available in your area
Determine manufacturer estimates of how much energy you can expect each turbine to produce.
If you live in the United States, you may want to consult with the list of Small Wind Turbine Equipment Providers in the U.S. This list has been compiled by the American Wind Energy Association and may contain some American companies that have not yet been added to the previous list that was mentioned.
Another option is to check out the selection of Wind Systems at the altE Store. They carry the very popular Skstream 3.7 as well as the full line of products from both Southwest Wind Power and Bergey Wind Turbines.
Step 4
Review the production estimates from the manufacturer of each product
Determine which products can produce the electricity you require at the average wind speed for your area.
Step 5
Determine the cost and how long it will take to recoup your initial investment
Decision
Now it's time to make your decision
Earth4Energy DIY Wind Generator
New DIY wind generator plans have hit the market.
I just came across what looks like a great product for those interested in residential wind power or residential solar power. Earth4Energy is a complete step-by-step, fully illustrated manual that promises to teach you everything you need to know.From the website:
"With the ever increasing costs of living there is no better time then right now to start producing our own electricity. Whether you want to simply reduce your power bills or completely eliminate them - Earth4Energy has a solution for you."
"Why pay $1000's for solar power or wind power when you can build your own professional system for less then $200!"
I have not yet seen this product, but the idea of building your own wind generator seems like a great idea. Help the environment and save money!
Other competing products include Efficient Planet, Home Made Energy, Free Energy Options, Energy4Green, and Make Natural Power.
What Do You Think Is The Best Option?
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Build DIY Wind Generator
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Buy Residential Wind Turbine
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Here's How It Works
Explaination of Skystream 3.7 Residential Wind Turbine
Renewable Energy In Action
Here are some videos of wind generators in action.
In The Blogosphere
Who's talking about residential wind energy?
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWind Power In Pictures
Here are some pictures of residential wind turbines in action.
Skystream backyard wind turbine powering a home in the Arizona mountains. This h...
Skystream backyard wind turbine powering a farmhouse in Ohio. Home wind turbines...
Skystream backyard wind turbine powering a home in Utah.
Skystream backyard wind turbine in a New Jersey neighborhood.
Skystream backyard wind turbine and solar panels powering a New Jersey home.
Skystream backyard wind turbine. Skystream can reduce electric bills by 40-90% w...
Residential Wind Power Blog
Here's an entire blog dedicated to residential wind energy.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byYour Thoughts On Home Wind Power?
Comments on the Lens are welcome too!
UPDATE: Thanks for all of your comments, votes and rolls!
mosaic wrote...
Wow, this is a reaaaaaaally extensive lens! I'm just getting into the renewable energy stuff, too. I've created one lens to go to my website and blog.... anyhow, I find the whole thing so fascinating! I'm favorite-ing this lens. Really, some lenses don't give much info.
Posted December 09, 2008
LarryBass wrote...
Wow George! What an excellent lens you've developed here buddy Squid! Five stars to you, my man and you are off to the races... :-)
lb
Posted May 27, 2008
grassosalvato86 wrote...
Really great lens! Yes! We need to generate more clean power to respect our planet. 5 stars!
Posted May 26, 2008
Janet21 wrote...
Nice lens! You have a great attitude, so I think you are going to do very well here. Welcome! :)
Posted May 25, 2008
Residential Wind Power Books
Here are some resources to get you started with residential wind energy.
The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower (Mother Earth News Wiser Living)
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Amazon Price: $21.24 (as of 07/05/2009) 
List Price: $27.95
Used Price: $16.68
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The Homeowners Guide to Energy Independence: Alternative Power Sources for the Average American
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $14.95
Used Price: $0.46
The Renewable Energy Handbook: A Guide to Rural Energy Independence, Off-Grid and Sustainable Living
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Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $29.95
Used Price: $17.93
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Wind Power, Revised Edition: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $75.00
Used Price: $150.97
Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems
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Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $25.00
Used Price: $11.50
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More Books About Wind Power
Here are some more technical books covering wind energy.
Wind Energy Handbook
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Amazon Price: $136.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $170.00
Used Price: $119.99
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Wind Turbines: Fundamentals, Technologies, Application, Economics
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Amazon Price: $239.20 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $299.00
Used Price: $246.81
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Aerodynamics of Wind Turbines
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Amazon Price: $90.49 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $117.00
Used Price: $137.24
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Developing Wind Power Projects: Theory and Practice
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Amazon Price: $61.33 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $85.00
Used Price: $78.55
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Grid Integration of Wind Energy Conversion Systems
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Amazon Price: $136.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $170.00
Used Price: $135.70
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Even More Books About Wind Energy
Generating Wind Power (Energy Revolution)
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Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $8.95
Used Price: $4.38
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Power with Nature Second Edition: Alternative Energy Solutions for Homeowners Updated
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Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $25.00
Used Price: $12.99
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Windpower Workshop
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $15.95
Used Price: $123.43
Wind Energy: Fundamentals, Resource Analysis and Economics
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Amazon Price: (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $119.00
Used Price: $233.57
Wind Power in Power Systems
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Amazon Price: $136.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $170.00
Used Price: $131.65
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Residential Wind Turbines at Amazon
I'll bet you didn't know Amazon can help you get started with residential wind power!
Sunforce 44447 900W Whisper Wind Turbine
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Amazon Price: $2,199.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $2,300.00
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Sunforce Air X Marine Wind Turbine
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Amazon Price: $707.09 (as of 07/05/2009)
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Sunforce 44444 12-Volt 400-Watt Wind Generator
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Amazon Price: $475.80 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $799.99
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Sunforce 44455 Wind Generator 30' Tower Kit
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Amazon Price: $481.46 (as of 07/05/2009)
List Price: $539.99
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Residential Wind Turbines On eBay
Here is a sample of home wind turbines currently available.
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Wind Turbine Parts On Amazon
10.1 Ft (121") Diameter. High Efficient Wind Generator Blades w/ HUB + GENERATOR, 3 Rotors
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6.8 Ft High Efficient Wind Generator Blades w/ HUB, 3 Rotors
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Amazon Price: $75.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
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"WINDMAX"Wind Turbine Rotor Blades for Residential Wind Turbine, 6.8 Feet (2 meters) diameter, No HUB
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Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 07/05/2009)
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Morningstar TriStar-45 Solar Charge Controller for solar/wind generator/Wind Turbine - 45 amps
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Amazon Price: $236.00 (as of 07/05/2009)
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Wind Power T-shirts
Show your support for wind power with a t-shirt.
