What Is Wind Generated Energy?

When it comes to green energy, wind power might be the fastest growing power source of them all.

According to a study done by Energy Watch Group, the growth of wind power has been growing exponentially since the 1990s, and awareness has really jumped within the past three years.

But, how does wind generate energy in the first place? And, how do you know if wind power is right for you?

We’ll be answering both of those questions, and more, in this article. So first, let’s take a look at how wind turbines work.

How Wind Generates Electricity

Wind turbines are pretty easy to understand, and they operate using fairly simple mechanics.

Put simply, the wind turns the propeller blades of the wind turbine. The blades are connected to a shaft, which is connected to a generator. The generator creates electricity much like the alternator in your car.

This image, which dissects the parts of a wind turbine, will help illustrate this:

If you’d like to see an animation that shows a wind turbine in action, and how it generates electricity, the U.S. Department of Energy has created a nice example here.

Types of Wind Turbines

Human beings have been harnessing the power of the wind for centuries. Surprised? Well, head over to Europe and you’ll see windmills that are still in operation after hundreds of years.

The wind turbines we use today still work off of the same basic principals they always have. But, modern design has enabled wind turbines to be smaller, and more efficient, than their predecessors.

The most common wind turbine is the horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT), with three large propeller blades. The wind turbine pictured at the beginning of the article is an example of the classic horizontal axis design.

Horizontal axis turbines offer several advantages. Because they’re so tall they can take advantage of higher winds, making them very efficient. And, even a small increase in wind speed can result in much more power generated.

But, the HAWTS are at a disadvantage because they’re difficult to transport, and their height makes maintenance somewhat problematic. Their size also sticks out on the landscape, which many people don’t like.

A newer design is the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT). The vertical axis design offers several benefits.

The biggest advantage to the VAWT is that they don’t have to be pointed directly into the wind in order to work. In places where the wind direction changes often, this results in more energy produced compared to the fixed HAWT design.

Another advantage is that VAWTs can be effective closer to the ground, which makes them easier to maintain, especially for homeowners. They still work better the higher they are, but they are more usable at low heights compared to the HAWT design. They’re ideal for places like mesas or ridgelines where the wind is funneled through.

And because the blades have more surface area, they can generate electricity using slower winds.

But, like anything there are disadvantages as well. The biggest downside is that the VAWT’s parts are located underneath the huge turbine blades. If the design has not been well thought-out, maintenance can be very tricky. If you’re not careful, you might have to dismantle the entire structure to change parts.

Can I Use A Wind Turbine?

Almost every place on the planet experiences wind. But, it’s going to take more than a light breeze now and then to generate enough useful energy for your home. Just as some parts of the country are better suited for solar power (think Arizona here), other parts are better suited for wind power.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) says that turbines need a minimum wind speed of 7-10 m.p.h. to turn the blades. If you don’t get that on a regular basis, then you’re probably not in a great spot for a wind turbine.

You can see where your neck of the woods fares with a wind map. The one pictured below is put out by the U.S. Department of Energy. Areas shaded in blue, red, and purple are best suited for wind power.

You can see your state in greater detail by clicking this link, and then clicking on your area.

Will I Save Money With A Wind Turbine?

Like with any renewable energy source, how much you save with a wind turbine will depend largely on where you live.

For instance, take a quick look at the map above. If you live in Western Michigan, you’re going to have good wind on a fairly regular basis. This means that because your turbine will be turning more during the day, you’re going to produce more power for your home.

If you live in Mississippi, however, your wind turbine isn’t going to turn that much at all, simply because Mississippi doesn’t get a lot of constant wind. So, your investment is going to take much longer to pay off.

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates that a residential wind turbine will cost between $6,000 and $22,000, installed. And, they estimate that most wind turbines will pay for themselves within 6 to 15 years, depending on your location. After that, your energy is virtually free.

The great news is that because wind turbines are relatively simple, you can actually build your own if you were so inclined. There are several instructional books that can teach you how, and several schools and agencies offer weekend courses if you’d like to learn from a certified instructor.

Building your own definitely takes longer, but you can save thousands off the turbine itself, as well as the installation costs. Many homeowners are beginning to go this route.

Wind Turbine Tax Credits

If you’re in sticker shock over the cost of wind turbines, don’t worry. Your state and federal government has tax incentives to help you with the investment.

If you’d like to find out what tax credits you’re eligible for, you can search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE). This site has a complete listing of every tax credit available for renewable energy, divided up by individual state.

Do Wind Turbines Really Help the Environment?

Wind turbines emit no pollution whatsoever, and don’t use any energy. They offset the pollution that would normally be caused by your utility company for producing the electricity you use in your home.

How much?

Well, AWEA estimates that over its lifetime, a small residential wind turbine will offset 1.2 tons of air pollutants and over 200 tons of greenhouse gas pollutants.

That’s a pretty big impact.

Last Word…

There’s no doubt that wind is an incredibly eco-friendly power source. And depending on your location, it might not take as long as you think to recoup your investment.

If you live in an especially windy place you might even be able to sell your excess power back to your local utility company, which means your wind turbine would actually make you money every day.

And that’s something we can all smile about!