United States Wind Patterns.

Wind Speed.

Wind Turbines.

Small Wind (VAWT).

Big Wind(HAWT).

Wind Energy

Wind power is an affordable, efficient and inexhaustible source of electricity as long as the earth rotation occurs. The wind's kinetic energy can be harnessed by a wind turbine and wind power is one of the most environmentally benign sources of energy. Wind is a clean technology (CleanTech) since it generates absolutely no greenhouse gases and is renewable. Unlike solar and other energy sources it involves no production decline. Clean, renewable, wind energy holds a great prospect for providing alternative energy that may replace and/or complement current inefficient alternatives. 

How does it work?

The wind's kinetic energy can be harnessed by a wind turbine, a device that varies in deployment – residential, commercial and industrial. Wind turbines nano-wind, small-wind and big-wind. Typically one looks at wind energy as a extremely tall, skinny fan. When wind moves the blades of the fan, they spin a central hub that moves a series of gears connected to a generator. The generator converts this mechanical energy into electrical energy for distribution. This dates back to the windmill centuries ago used by our ancestors.

Why Wind Energy?

One of the most compelling reasons wind turbines is that the cost per kWh of energy produced can be the cheapest source of energy. Unlike much of the other alternative energy solutions, wind energy does not require any fuel. So as long as the wind blows it can generate electricity. Wind energy is also one of the cleanest forms of alternative energy. According to the United States Department of Energy's Wind Energy Program, when comparing on single baseline utility scale (500 kW) - a wind turbine displaces approximately 500 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Location of Wind Turbine

When locating a wind turbine take into account the site’s average wind speeds. A minimum wind speed of 5-10 mph(2.2-4.4ms) for micro-wind systems, 11-16 mph (5-7ms) for small wind are required to begin generating energy. Small differences in the wind speed make big differences. Since electricity is produced by a wind turbine it is the wind speed in the cube that matters. An example: all other things being equal, a site with 16 mph winds instead of 14 mph, will generate 50% more electricity. 

On onshore systems the highest point is often the one with the best winds. You should site your turbine not only in a high-wind area, but there are other elements that should be considered, valleys, mountains and forests, or simply large sets of trees and fences, may have a big impact on the wind direction and speed and on the best location. The site's geology may also be an issue to pay attention to location. Small wind turbines should be installed on sufficient large lots, with as few obstructions as possible. Find a good clearing, and put the wind turbine on a sufficiently tall tower. The height of a small turbine tower is an important element to consider and should have into account the height of the surrounding obstructions.