Homemade WInd Power Generators

Energy costs are on the mind these days, well, have been on folks minds for some time now. However, with the economy being in a virtual free fall over the last couple of years and home heating and power bills blasting off into orbit, people are demanding affordable sources of energy. As if the hit to your wallet was not bad enough, society is becoming more aware of the cost of traditional energy production in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and other environmental problems. So, we are continually being hit with higher energy costs with little to no alternatives, while being forced to support environmentally unfriendly energy producers. There is a choice that can save precious dollars while protecting the environment: producing your own power. Most folks these days are familiar with solar power, wind power, hydrogen, etc.

Wind power is demonstrating some of the greatest potential as a sustainable energy source. Although there can be some start up cost, there is little relative environmental impact and the energy savings will pay for the project in the long term. The technology is not rocket science and is something the average person can do. The only requirements are space (especially height), components (tower, blades, hub and generator) and a steady wind. Information on wind requirements for your unit and what is available in your area are available on the U.S. Department of Energy wind map.

Once you've determined if there is ample wind requirements in your area, you will need to determine the height of your tower. This will depend on several factors such as how much wind speed is available at a given height in your area and how much power you'll want to generate. Wind speed increases with height, so the amount of power you need will dictate how high to build the tower. Again, the U.S. Department of Energy website is an excellent resource.

The unit component that converts the wind (mechanical energy) into electricity is the generator. The size of the generator you would need depends on the intended usage. A portable unit that usually starts around 400 watts is all that is necessary for generating power for a camp, cabin, RV, boats or recharging batteries. If powering your residence, farm or some other commercial use is your goal, then you would need to look into a wind turbine; these output around 5000 watts. It is advisable to consult professionals (you can do this online) before you start out. There are a number of companies and websites that can assist you in this endeavor. Before you start it is advisable to check with local rules, ordinances and utility companies as to what restrictions there may be in your area.

Remember that there are advantages and disadvantages to any endeavor worth taking. The start up cost could be formidable for some people and their are environmental issues such as landscape disruption and bird kills that warrant consideration. Reduction in long term energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions make the advantages to wind power outweigh the disadvantages. Join the green revolution and build a windmill!