July 28, 2011
Wind power dispute
kxan asked:
Wind power dispute
July 1, 2011
SOLAR AND WIND POWER Q&A.
OBXSOLWIND asked:
Solar and wind backup power. This is a responce to my last video. I know this stuff can be intimidating and I wanted to try to clear it up a bit. I have other videos that may help you out if you are looking into solar power..
Filed under Uncategorized by newenergy
VOAvideo asked:
Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative energy in the world. More and more, wind power mills are seen in the countryside, in large wind farms and for the most part, away from city life. But a new form of wind power is now designed to work in an urban environment. VOA producer Zulima Palacio has the story. Mill Arcega narrates.
It is interesting to discover how you can generate free electricity as you can save a whole lot on electrical expenses. Let us look into a couple of great environmentally friendly ways to make electricity with the use of a home wind turbine. You may prefer to have this system in your house or even one for your working office. According to statistics, the amount of harmful gases out there has been rising drastically. At the same time, we are using up more of our natural resources that we are unable replace every single day. The use of home wind turbines can help in putting an end to such negative activities.
Alternative energy solutions such as the use of home wind turbines are becoming increasingly popular in light of ever-escalating energy costs as they relate to fossil fuel, or else known as ‘non-renewable’, resources. With the cost of a barrel of oil, for instance, rising on consistent basis, it would seem wise indeed to start switching to alternatives energy sources.
Home wind turbine depends on the wind to operate. Wind energy is a natural resource that can never be depleted. As a result, it is known that home wind generators has the power to create free supplies of usable electricity from the natural wind energy. In addition, this amazing system is environmental friendly. Relating to that, it can also help to keep our planet a greener and healthier place to live in.
The key to generating free electricity is by installing a home wind turbine into your house, and that isn’t a difficult task. There are a lot of qualified professionals out there that will do an excellent work for you. Searching for a professional is as easy as going online. The professionals will always quote you an estimated price so that you can decide on making the investment. On the other hand, if you plan to save more money and consider that you can manage the installation on your own, a home wind turbine kit is what you need. This kit is not really a type of equipment you can order from a general hardware store. You’ll need to do some searching. The internet can be a very useful tool to help you work out where to get an ideal kit. In fact, you can build your very own home wind generators with just a few simple tools that can be easily found around your house.
The use of a wind power generator is very economical and efficient. The fact that it does not give out any harmful gasses into our environment is even more of a reason to really consider this implementation. Get to know the various attractive benefits you can take advantage of so that you can get it in place. You have so much to gain and nothing to lose when you implement a wind turbine in your house.
Alternative power solutions with home wind generators are made much more accessible these days than ever before. And with the stocks of non-renewable energy sources like oil and natural gas running out, it only makes sense to start converting to alternative sources of energy like the home wind turbine.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
February 25, 2011
Desire For Wind Power In Hawaii Faces Challenges
Does wind power development in Hawaii threaten species?
Found this great article in the NY Times today about the challenge of wind power in Hawaii as critics worry about threats to the birds and bats of the islands. It is a controversial subject, the birds that get killed by wind turbines have raised alarm in other areas around the world. The Hawaiian islands have famous trade winds that blow daily and which could provide power in a state that is heavily fossil fuel dependent.
Plans to harness Hawaii’s legendary ocean breezes to generate electricity for local utilities have produced a negative blowback from critics who say Hawaii’s status as a world-class wildlife sanctuary could be undermined by wind turbines that have been linked to bird and bat mortalities in other parts of the United States.
And while so far wind power development blueprints for Hawaii have been modest compared to some of the massive wind farms of California or Texas, there is little doubt that even small wind farms could have outsized impacts on wildlife in Hawaii, whose rarified climate and geography make it home to the world’s most prized bird species.
Yet Hawaii the bird paradise is also the bird extinction capital of the world. Of the 113 unique bird species that once lived only on Hawaii, 73 have gone extinct, and 33 of the islands’ 43 remaining bird species are endangered.
At the same time, Hawaii is the nation’s most fossil fuel-dependent state, a designation state leaders have worked hard to overcome by encouraging renewable energy development. Hawaii’s renewable portfolio standard, for example, requires that utilities produce or purchase 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2020, and the state has set a non-binding goal of doubling its RPS to 40 percent by 2030.
Leave your comments below to give us your thoughts on wind power in Hawaii.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
February 16, 2011
Wind Power at Home
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Tony Poulin asked:
Wind power is one of the most efficient alternative energy sources to combine with solar, especially out in the middle of a total self-sustainability project. Because when there is sun; there isn’t always wind, but when there is wind, there isn’t always sun, so the two systems (solar/wind) seem to compliment each other. Wind supplied power is expected to dethrone natural gas as the top source of new electricity for our country. Wind supplied power is already a leader among renewable energy technologies, and its future is bright – that is not in question. The question instead is whether or not we, as a nation, will support it now and reap the economic and ecological benefits later, or delay it another year while our competition forges ahead.
Wind power is growing at the rate of 30 percent annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of over 100 GW, and is widely used in several European countries and the United States. The manufacturing output of the photovoltaic industry reached more than 2,000 MW in 2006, and photovoltaic (PV) power stations are particularly popular in Germany and Spain. This type of power is uncertain insofar as wind speeds can be forecast with only limited accuracy. These issues can be overcome to some extent by developing better wind forecasting methods and addressing electricity grid interconnection issues between regions.
Residential power systems can take a while to pay for themselves, but when they do the advantages of free power with a very low impact on the environment are huge. Residential wind fed power systems produce no pollution, and by using alternative power, instead of mass produced electricity, you will be offsetting 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gases could have been created by your electric company. Most small turbines do not require any regular maintenance and last for up to twenty years. Residential wind power continues to grow at a significant rate as a primary source of alternative energy for homeowners. A quick way to reduce personal energy cost is an investment in residential wind power.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
September 23, 2010
Largest Wind Farm Powers Up Off England Coast
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The world’s largest offshore windfarm, partially built by a Norfolk firm, was officially opened off the UK coast yesterday.
The Thanet offshore windfarm, off the south east coast of England, has 100 turbines which will produce enough green energy a year to power the equivalent of more than 200,000 homes.
The project was completed by energy company Vattenfall and the turbines were installed with the help of Great Yarmouth-based engineering firm CLS Offshore, an EDP Business Awards finalist.
The total capacity of the UK’s onshore and offshore wind turbines now exceeds 5 gigawatts, enough to power all the homes in Scotland.
CLS installed part of the turbines, helping slash installation times from 24 hours to five-and-a-half hours while delivering a perfect safety record.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
June 17, 2010
Wind Energy – Using Wind Power For Your Home
Alexander Brody asked:
Alternative energy sources are becoming more and more important as the failing reserves of fossil fuels drive prices up. No one really knows how long the current reserves of oil will last, but according to experts, they may be gone in as little as few decades. It is wise to start investigating solutions now, when there is still time left. Fortunately, the current developments in the field of renewable energy make it simple enough to build your own wind turbine or a solar power generator.
Why choose wind energy for your home? It has the following advantages:
- Environmentally clean. It produces much less greenhouse gases than conventional sources.
- Renewable (naturally replenished).
- Plentiful. The amount of wind power that can be potentially generated is at least five times as high as the total energy consumption of our entire planet. There will never be a shortage of it.
- Low maintenance costs. Wind turbines don’t require much maintenance, so the only costs associated with wind power are those of constructing and setting up the turbines. Afterward, the costs are negligible – if you ignore equipment costs, wind energy is almost free!
In some countries (such as Denmark), it is used very widely, accounting for up to 20% of total energy output. No wonder it is a great addition to your domestic power generation system. Wind power generally cannot be used as a sole source of electricity (because winds are variable and unstable) but this is usually not a problem, because you most likely have a power grid connection anyway.
Residential wind turbines are very feasible and are not very expensive (About one fifth of what it costed back in 1980). Overall, adding a wind generator to your home power system is an excellent way to decrease your energy bills and make a step on the way towards environmentally-conscious living.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
June 11, 2010
Want Some Resources for Alternative Energy?
There are many different forms in which alternative energy is available.
One of these is solar power. Solar power is driven by photovoltaic cells, and these are progressively getting less expensive and more advanced. Solar energy power can be used for electricity, heating, and making hot water. Solar energy produces no pollution, as its input comes completely from the sun’s rays. However, much more work still needs to be done in order for us to economically harness the sun’s energy. For the time being, the resource is a little too conditional—storage batteries are needed to be used as backups in the evenings and on inclement days.
Wind energy has become the most-invested-in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source for the time being. The great arrays of triple-bladed windmills are being placed all over as “wind farms”, to capture the motion of the wind and use its kinetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy. Of course, there is nothing new about the concept of a windmill for harnessing energy. Modern wind turbines are simply are more advanced variations on the old theme. Of course, the drawback to wind energy is…what do you do when there is a calm, still day? Needless to say, during these times the electric company kicks in for powering your home or office. Wind energy is not altogether independent.
Hydroelectric energy is available as a source of alternative energy, and it can generate a substantial amount of power. Simply put, hydroelectric energy uses the motion of water—its flow in response to gravity, which means downhill—to turn turbines which then generate electrical energy. Needless to say, water is ubiquitous; finding sources for driving hydroelectric turbines is, therefore, not much of a problem. However, hydroelectricity as a source of alternative energy can be complicated and expensive to produce. Dams are often built in order to be able to control the flow of the water sufficiently to generate the needed power. Building a dam to store and control water’s potential and kinetic energy takes quite a lot of work, and operating one is complex as well,and conservationists grow concerned that it. Of course, a dam is not always needed if one is not trying to supply the electrical needs of a city or other very densely populated area. There are small run-of-river hydroelectric converters which are good for supplying neighborhoods or an individual office or home.
Probably the most underrated and under-appreciated form of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is simply the naturally-occurring energy produced by the heating of artesian waters that are just below the earth’s crust. This heat is transferred into the water from the earth’s inner molten core. The water is drawn up by various different methods—there are “dry steam” power plants, “flash” power plants, and “binary” power plants for harnessing geothermal energy. The purpose of drawing up the hot water is for the gathering of the steam. The Geysers, approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco, is probably the best-known of all geothermal power fields; it’s an example of a dry stream plant.
Filed under Alternative Energy by newenergy
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Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company’s grid than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long run one saves money by utilizing the wind for one’s energy needs—while also becoming more independent. Not receiving an electric bill while enjoying the advantages of the modern electrically-driven lifestyle is a wondrous feeling.
Electric bills and fuel bills are rising steadily—but the cost of wind turbine energy is zero, and the cost of installing and hooking up a turbine is steadily coming down as demand rises and more commercial success is realized by various companies producing the turbines and researching technologies to make them ever more efficient. In addition, people are moving away from the traditional electric grids and the fossil fuels for personal reasons including desire for greater independence, the desire to live remotely or rurally without having to “go primitive”, political concerns such as fears of terrorist strikes on oil fields or power grids, or concerns about the environment. Again, this motivation to get away from the traditional energy sources is the same one that causes people to seek the power of the wind for their energy, giving more business opportunities to profit from wind turbine production and maintenance, which drives their costs down for the consumers. In nearly thirty states at the time of this writing, homeowners who remain on the grid but who still choose to use wind energy (or other alternative forms) are eligible for rebates or tax breaks from the state governments that end up paying for as much as 50% of their total “green” energy systems’ costs. In addition, there are 35 states at the time of this writing where these homeowners are allowed to sell their excess energy back to the power company under what are called “net metering laws”. The rates that they are being paid by the local power companies for this energy are standard retail rates—in other words, the homeowners are actually profiting from their own energy production.
Some federal lawmakers are pushing to get the federal government to mandate these tax breaks and other wind power incentives in all 50 states. Japan and Germany already have national incentive programs in place. However, “A lot of this is handled regionally by state law. There wouldn’t really be a role for the federal government,” the Energy Department’s Craig Stevens says. And as might be imagined, there are power companies who feel that it’s unfair that they should have to pay retail rates to private individuals. “We should [only have to] pay you the wholesale rate for … your electricity,” according to Bruce Bowen, Pacific Gas & Electric’s director of regulatory policy. However, the companies seem to be more worried about losing short term profits than about the benefits, especially in the long run, of the increased use of wind turbines or wind farms. Head of the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies of California V. John White points out, “It’s quality power that strengthens the grid.”
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
Evangeline Cortez asked:
Barack Obama, Democratic Presidential candidate, and John McCain, the Republican contender both continue to address major issues on energy. The topic of Obama versus McCain on Wind Energy Use is quickly gaining increased attention from constituents. Senator Obama has stressed his proposal that the United States sell oil coming from its strategic reserve in the hopes of lowering gasoline prices. He is also pressing for the utilization of alternative sources of energy. Senator McCain, on the other hand, gears towards offshore drilling and an expanded utilization of nuclear power instead. Apparently, Obama is against expanded nuclear power exploration and investment. He has proposed a windfall profits tax policy which will result to a lowered supply and raised prices. Experts have stated that this policy have already been implemented during the Carter administration and it did not work. What is needed instead is higher supply and decreased consumption.
The good news, however, on the whole issue of Obama versus McCain on wind energy use is that no matter who wins the election, the so-called green energy industry will surely be on the winner’s side. Obama focuses on the issues of oil. Last October 2007, he had said that when he becomes President, he will help automobile manufacturers to retool their factories in order for the latter to manufacture cars that will use lesser oil. McCain, on the other hand, has leaned more towards using wind power. This is apparent in his desire to cut down greenhouse gas emissions. It is known for its pollution-free nature. Unlike fossil fuels, wind power usage does not emit greenhouse gas. Obama, however, also supports the cap and trade policy for a system that will cut down greenhouse gas emissions.
Development to use wind power is an endeavor the new president must look into. Central to this issue of Obama and McCain is the fact that a vast part of the United States is actually prime resource. Canada and Europe are world leaders of wind power projects. Other countries are also looking into building production facilities in the United States. The major wind turbine manufacturers in other world regions have already explored this. This is because the expenses that may be incurred in building the wind turbine systems in the US are far lesser compared to building the wind turbines overseas and then shipping them. These systems are a leading projects in the green energy system that promises to support whoever will win in the Obama versus McCain presidential elections. Another area of the green energy system is the solar thermal power plants. Although the entire Obama versus McCain on wind energy use issue can be a strain, it is at the very least still comforting to know that the country can depend on the green energy system to address the pressing concerns of oil and wind power problems that have arose and may be arising.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
April 12, 2010
The Advantages of Wind Energy
Evert DuToit asked:
Wind power is one the oldest and most basic types of energy. It’s been used since the first windmills were build in Europe hundreds of years ago. And now as the developed world is searching for alternative to fossil fuels the technologies to convert wind energy into usable forms of electricity is getting more attention. Even though there are some strong opponents to using wind power, the advantages of this type of alternative energy cannot be ignored.
Currently it is still more efficient to use traditional and atomic energy to generate the electricity we need for our modern lives than it is to use wind. Unfortunately these forms of electricity contribute greatly to the greenhouse effect, and we have to discontinue the use of these sources if we want to create a healthier environment for ourselves and future generations.
Wind energy on the other hand is 100% natural, clean and healthy. It does not impact the environment and does not produce any of the harmful byproducts that fossil fuels and nuclear power create.
Contrary to what many believe, generating electricity from wind is actually very cost effective. Currently, on average, it costs about 5 cents per kilowatt-hour to produce wind energy. This is cheaper that all other forms of alternative energy. The wind is not likely to stop blowing, so it is a completely renewable form of power, and that also means that the price of production is unlikely to rise, in fact it will probably go even lower.
Finally, expanding our capacity to generate electricity from wind power, can boost the economy some of the more rural areas of the country. Many of the best places to use for wind power, are in the rural areas where there are many farms and ranches. The government and energy companies can rent small areas of land from the farmers of the area. The windmills don not take much space, so the farmers will still be able to use their land as before, plus have extra income from housing the windmills.
The advantages of using wind energy cannot be ignored. As more cost effective techniques are developed, more investors are likely to buy into wind farm projects. It is possible that within a few decades Americans will be seeing windmills being built all over the country. In short, it will help alleviate the energy crises, it will benefit the environment and bring a boost to the economy.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
There’s power in the wind!
With today’s high power cost and worsening environmental problems, people resort to wind power because of its cost-effective and environment-friendly feature. Although it has been in existence for a long time, not many people possess a great deal of knowledge about this useful alternative in power generation.
That’s the very thing that prompted the men and women behind www.windturbines.net. As a social network for the wind turbine community, it aims primarily to deliver fresh and valuable information to interested parties in the growing field of renewable wind energy. This website is on its way toward the achievement of its vision of gathering the big names who have shared passions for the environment, science and technology.
Windturbines.net features a directory of wind energy information sources – manufacturers, consultants, associations, installers, landowners, utility companies, developers, governments, investors, technicians, and wind farm operators. This is a portal to all those who seek information and contact to experts in wind technology around the globe. As it aims to keep this directory growing, the site allows members to add an entry and link it to their site.
Providing general information about wind turbines and wind power technology is also a good thing about this site. Through its wiki page, you can access, edit or add useful information about this renewable energy source. By sharing your knowledge with wind turbine enthusiasts, you enrich people’s knowledge of the benefits, drawbacks, and the future of wind technology.
The community page is another awesome feature of the site. This is where you can find people to share your opinions and thoughts with. When you become a member of this world’s first wind energy social networking site, you’ll get the chance to discuss related stuff with other people who share the same interest with you. This is open to everyone, from people who are just interested in wind turbines to large scale wind farm developers.
If you’re looking for information about wind power, visit and explore windturbines.net. Start expanding your network with the people in the site by sharing your knowledge and opinions on this ever growing industry. By simply doing that, you are helping in the promotion of an energy source that is not only helpful in lowering consumers’ power consumption expenses but also in providing the world with a clean and green power generation.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
March 20, 2010
Solar Power, Wind Power, Save Money – Oh My!
Fran Murray asked:
The most common alternatives to power your home are solar energy and wind power. These two forms of energy are easy to install in your home. The two sources of energy will save you a ton of money and increase the value of your property. The immerging technology for both forms of energy is extremely positive. With the economy in an upheaval and people scrambling for ways to save cash, solutions have to be found. Throughout history people have been resourceful; this time period will be no different.
Most people do not have the extra $10,000 to $22,000 to invest in a solar panel system. Most people don’t have the resources or the room to built huge windmill power system. What if you could have either source of energy? What about having both? What if you could save money a ton of money without investing the thousands of dollars the average company would charge to set up a “green” power source? Does $200 sound reasonable? Read on!
The best thing is that you can do it yourself. You can build (from parts you can find a local hardware store) and install everything on your own. Nope, you don’t need to be an engineer to build a simple solar panel. There are guides with video presentations that have been very effective for people who want to build their own solar panel.
Before making the solar panel, I was advised to decide where I should put the solar panel so that it would get the best sun exposure. The actual making of the solar panel was not complicated, but it is a bit labor intensive and will take more than a few hours to complete. The guide that I used was insightful and extremely easy to read, no “techy language” and very straightforward.
Filed under Solar Power by newenergy
February 18, 2010
Trouble in Wind Energy?
Wind Energy
By most measures, wind energy has been a great business lately.
The U.S. wind energy industry shattered previous records in 2008 by installing 8,358 megawatts (MW) of new generating capacity, and did even better in 2009, building out another 9,922 MW. That’s enough wind power to deliver electricity to 4.4 million homes, according to the American Wind Energy Association.
But if you think it’s easy — or cheap — to get wind-powered electricity to places where it’s needed, talk to Tom King.
As the executive in charge of the U.S. business of National Grid, a global utility company with extensive operations in the Northeast, King would like to see wind turbines built off the coast of New England, as well as along a wind belt that stretches across the northern border of New York and runs east through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
“When you look at the Northeast,” King says, ” it’s bracketed by some very significant wind resources.”
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
MJ in Illinois asked:
Are there U.S. federal tax advantages or rebates for using wind power? Does Illinois have tax advantages or rebates for using wind power? What are the required average wind speeds for Chicago and other areas to successfully use wind power?
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
January 17, 2010
How Do We Use Wind Energy – Build Your Own Wind Generator
How do we use wind energy? Les gives us a tour of the parts and plans for building your own wind generator. He and his wife live off the grid and they make all their own power from solar and wind. His guide, which we offer a sample chapter from on our site is a useful do it yourself to building an inexpensive and effective wind generator for your energy needs.
I did kid Les a bit about buying himself a new microphone for his videos as the wind noise in this video makes it a little hard to hear him at times. But it is still useful to watch.
Learn how to build a wind generator with Les and Jane, experts in building wind generators, and solar panels with over 16 years of experience. This introductory video will get you started in the right direction, learning how to build a wind generator.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
December 26, 2009
Wind Energy News Roundup
Lots of new developments going on around the globe with regard to wind power and wind energy generation. Here is summery of recent news on the wind energy front.
Please comment on your favorite wind news story and let us know what you think of the development of this natural resource.
Wind Power is the Best Alternative Green Energy Solution | Textio
Although it is much less expensive to initially get hooked into the local electric company’s grid than it is to set up and hook into wind turbines, in the long.
SBI banks on wind power (Central Chronicle) — Affordable Green Energy
The article SBI banks on wind power (Central Chronicle) is syndicated for use on Affordable Green Energy. The original content in it\’s entirety can be found here. 01.jpg. Categories. Biofuel · Biomass · Energy Efficiency · Geothermal …
Large Wind Power Project Proposed (KMVT Twin Falls) — Affordable …
The article Large Wind Power Project Proposed (KMVT Twin Falls) is syndicated for use on Affordable Green Energy. The original content in it\’s entirety can be found here. 04.jpg. Categories. Biofuel · Biomass · Energy Efficiency …
EWEB adds to wind power (The Register-Guard) — Affordable Green Energy
The Eugene Water & Electric Board’s power supply just got a bit greener. The publicly owned utility, in cooperation with several other Pacific Northwest utilities, has brought a new batch of wind turbines online. …
Capacity of wind power base hits 2 GW – China Economic Net …
The installed capacity of China’s first massive wind power base in northwestern Gansu Province reached two gigawatts, local authorities said Friday. The Jiuquan wind power base achieved the landmark capacity as China Datang Corporation, …
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
December 18, 2009
Northern California Winery Adds Wind Power To Wine Production
When John Sweazey introduced his new wine label late last year, he decided to call it Anaba after the unique, upward flowing air currents — called anabatic winds — that flow through the vineyards on his Carneros property. This week, the name took on new meaning when Anaba became the first winery in Northern California to use wind power in the production of wine.
On Thursday, a construction crew from Jonas Energy in Lake County, aided by a crane, installed a 45-foot Skystream 3.7 wind turbine on Anaba’s vineyard and tasting room property, located at 60 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, at the intersection of Highways 116 and 121. According to Sweazey, the turbine is expected to generate 40 to 75 percent of the electricity needed to power Anaba’s tasting room, offices, irrigation system and cased goods storage facility.
“From all indications, we’re the first in Northern California to utilize wind power in wine production,” Sweazey explained. “And while we’re excited about that, it’s just the first step for us. When we start construction on our new winery, we plan to install solar panels to harvest sunlight as well. That will give us a powerful combination of wind and solar, which will move us well on our way to becoming a ‘green’ winery.”
The Skystream 3.7 wind turbine has a 2.4kW rating and was produced by Southwest Windpower of Flagstaff, AZ.
In addition to becoming a national leader in small-scale renewable energy use, Anaba also will reap other benefits from the installation of the wind turbine.
“We expect it to attract visitors, especially since it’s so visible at what is already one of the busiest intersections in Sonoma County,” Sweazey said. “And we also plan to use the turbine’s image on the labels of a new portfolio of Anaba wines that we will be introducing shortly after the first of the year.”
For those interested in seeing Anaba’s wind turbine in action, the Anaba Tasting Room, located at 60 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Additional information is online at www.anabawines.com.
Filed under Wind Power by newenergy
