Residential wind power systems

With growing concerns over the supply and price of fossil fuels, in addition to environmental issues. Many homeowners are investigating alternative options for heating and power. Residential wind power systems are just one of these alternative technologies and perhaps the cheapest in terms of price per Kwh (kilowatt hour).

Power produced from winds using turbines is efficient, clean and renewable. However, more importantly, as more and more consumers investing in wind power home systems, the prices are coming done making the return on investment even more attractive.

The technology and therefore efficiency of these wind turbine systems is constantly improving, using data from many large scale wind farm facilities worldwide such as the Altamont Pass, Buffalo Gap and Capricorn Ridge Wind Farms in the USA. Muppandal Wind Farm in India and the Barrow Offshore Wind farm in the UK. Modern wind turbine designs have benefitted greatly from these projects resulting in cost effective and efficient small scale wind turbines now available for local energy production in the domestic markets.

This advancement of technology means that it is now possible to install wind power in your home for less than a $1000 in the form of DIY kits. If you are prepared to source all the parts and materials yourself, further savings can be made resulting in a wind powered home for less than $500! Basic mechanical skills will be required if you go the DIY route but it’s probably a lot easier than you think. Common household tools and a good manual are the only other requirements for a DIY wind power project.

When it comes to choosing a manual or guide for building your wind power turbine it is essential to choose one where the author has in fact constructed a successful wind power system. You would be amazed at the number of people that are jumping on the alternative energy bandwagon just to make a quick buck!

The manual that we feel is the easiest to follow also provides clear illustrations and all the support required for even the most inexperienced DIY’er. This manual was created with the complete novice in mind and guides you through the complete build and installation process. As a bonus the author also includes a complete guide on making your own solar panels and includes examples of wind generators he has built and installed for less than $100!

Want to save hundreds of dollars every time you get your power bill or even become totally self sufficient for energy? Check out this great wind and solar construction manual here.

Alternative Energy: Wave-Powered Ocean Energy Technology

Wave power can be used to generate electricity, safely and cleanly, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with no emissions or pollution. It’s no wonder many energy companies are investing heavily in wave power production research and development. It has been estimated that the total amount of power available from the world’s oceans, using existing technology, is around twice the current worldwide energy production. Wave power has many advantages as an alternative source of energy:

• Abundance - two thirds of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans
• Efficency - modern technology can produce over 80% efficiency (compared to conventional coal and oil generation at between 30-45 percent efficiency)
• Clean - zero emissions

Wave power devices can be used on or off shore, with several different types in current use including:

• Oscillating water column (OWC) - a partially submerged, hollow structure which is open to the sea below the water level. Waves cause the water inside the column to rise and fall, which compresses and depresses the air inside the column. This air compression/decompression is used to drive a Wells turbine (a clever turbine design that rotate in the same direction irrespective of the airflow direction) which is used to generate electricity.
• Barrage system or tidal power plant - the simplest and oldest method of wave power production. Basically a dam is built across an inlet, incoming tidal water is allowed to breach the dam through sluice gates, then when tide recedes, water is released through turbines to create electricity.
• Floating wave devices, for example the Sea Dog pump - simple but ingenious devices that use “bouyancy blocks” as pistons to pump seawater to a shore based hydroelectric turbine. As the waves dip water is pulled into cylinder then the rising swells force water out.