Southwest Windpower leads a 15% increase in industry growth
U.S. sales for small wind sector in 2009 (the most recent numbers) have increased fifteen percent from 2008 to $82.4 million, on almost 10,000 units. Southwest Windpower, the biggest among the world’s 250 small wind makers and the 95 manufacturers in the U.S., has sold 170,000 turbines since its 1987 founding. Andrew Kruse, Southwest Windpower's Founder and Senior Vice President of Business Development, said his company foresees a coming U.S. market worth between two billion and seven billion dollars. The sector emerged in the late 1990s. “In the big picture, this industry is only about ...
How to calculate wind power output
Most U.S. manufacturers rate their turbines by the amount of power they can safely produce at a particular wind speed, usually chosen between 24 mph or 10.5 m/s and 36 mph or 16 m/s. The following formula illustrates factors that are important to the performance of a wind turbine. Notice that the wind speed, V, has an exponent of 3 applied to it. This means that even a small increase in wind speed results in a large increase in power. Read How high should your small wind turbine be for more information. That is why a taller tower will increase ...
NREL tests small wind turbines for certification
To help the wind industry offer consumers more small wind turbine systems that are certified for safety and performance, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (or NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (or DOE) launched a Small Wind Independent Testing project in 2007. The small wind turbines were tested to standards adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and in compliance with the draft American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) standards for small wind turbine systems. The resultant test data may be used by the Small Wind Certification Council, a nonprofit organization formed with support from the Department of Energy, American Wind ...
How communities can establish wind plants
An emerging group of wind-farm developers are focusing on midsized projects and in places that traditional, large-scale developers are overlooking. These community wind projects, ranging from 5 to 80 MW, are cropping up in part due to recent financial incentives and guidance from firms such as OwnEnergy, based in Brooklyn, NY. “Several converging factors make community wind projects viable,” says OwnEnergy Founder and CEO Jacob Susman. “First is transmission capacity. This is an opportunity for smaller projects to tap into existing transmission infrastructure, avoiding the need for costly new upgrades. Also, as the industry matures, people in local communities ...
Can Residential Wind Power the Electric Cars of the Future?
I have been somewhat intrigued by the topic of wind power charging the electric cars of the future as of late. After reading through a number of blogs and different Q & A areas on the internet, I decided to take the question of feasibility into my own hands, so that I can calculate the outcome and offer you the facts. The first production scale electric vehicle will be the Nissan Leaf, which will hold a charge of up to 24 kilowatt hours. According to Nissan, this 24 kilowatt hour battery can be changed fully in approximately 4-8 hours, and during ...
Understanding Small Wind Power
Mid Atlantic Community and Small Wind Energy Conference
Community Wind Across America presents a two-day regional conference on local, state...
One company’s experience at the Small and Community Wind Expo
The AWEA Small and Community Wind Conference and Exhibition took place last week...
Small and Community Wind Conference and Expo- Oregon
AWEA will host its Small and Community Wind Conference and Expo in Portland, Oregon...
Click Here to Better Understand Small Wind PowerElectricity Markets
Turbines for “microclimate” winds
Windmills in the Grizzly Peak foothills expected to pay for themselves in 5 years The...
Iowa sees 41-MW wind farm
-rpmaccess.com A 41-MW wind farm is planned for Delaware County in Iowa. RMP Access...
Small wind spreads to Scotland
Small Wind turbine manufacturer Gaia-Wind Ltd announced the creation of a production...
Learn More about Electricity Markets & UtilitiesSmall Wind Electrical Components
What to do with Stray Voltage
This unusual phenomenon, primarily affecting farm livestock, is the result of faulty...
Texas Instruments’ Smart Grid Solution
Providing utility companies with a reliable, accurate and energy-efficient smart...
Compact Weather Stations Help Measure the Wind
Wind is a limited resource. As such, finding areas where one can harvest the most...
More on Wind Power Electrical ComponentsSmall & Community Wind Products
Wind farm planned for western South Dakota
A 50-MW wind farm is planned for western South Dakota. Minnesota-based Renewable...
Southwest Windpower leads a 15% increase in industry growth
U.S. sales for small wind sector in 2009 (the most recent numbers) have increased...
Purdue U considers wind project
Purdue University is considering a partnership with private companies to develop...
More Small Wind and Community Wind ProductsEnergy Policy
The big guys learn financing from the little ones
The U.S. community wind sector, as a report from the Berkeley National Laboratory...
AWEA 2010 industry recap
Despite significant challenges in 2010, the U.S. wind industry continued to make...
Turbine manufacturer enters the retail business, offering utility program
The program is available based on the company's 442 small wind power system,...
Learn How Wind Energy Policy Affects YouSmall Wind Mechanical Systems
Clever Bearing and Planetary Drive for Wind Turbines
Uncontrollable and highly variable wind forces adversely affect the performance and...
Why Taller Modular Towers Make Sense
A modular turbine tower is one way to get around the shortcomings of conventional...
Vertical Axis Wind Turbines vs Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines
In the wind turbine business there are basically two types of turbines to choose...
Read More about Wind Power Mechanical SystemsFeatured Small Wind and Community Wind Articles
Southwest Windpower leads a 15% increase in industry growth
U.S. sales for small wind sector in 2009 (the most recent numbers) have increased fifteen percent from 2008 to $82.4 million, on almost 10,000 units. Southwest Windpower, the biggest among the world’s 250 small wind makers and the 95 manufacturers in the U.S., has sold 170,000 turbines since its 1987 founding. Andrew Kruse, Southwest Windpower’s... [Click Here for the Full Small Wind Tips Article]
How to calculate wind power output
Most U.S. manufacturers rate their turbines by the amount of power they can safely produce at a particular wind speed, usually chosen between 24 mph or 10.5 m/s and 36 mph or 16 m/s. The following formula illustrates factors that are important to the performance of a wind turbine. Notice that the wind speed, V, has an exponent of 3 applied to it. This... [Click Here for the Full Small Wind Tips Article]
NREL tests small wind turbines for certification
To help the wind industry offer consumers more small wind turbine systems that are certified for safety and performance, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (or NREL) and the U.S. Department of Energy (or DOE) launched a Small Wind Independent Testing project in 2007. The small wind turbines were tested to standards adopted by the International... [Click Here for the Full Small Wind Tips Article]
How communities can establish wind plants
An emerging group of wind-farm developers are focusing on midsized projects and in places that traditional, large-scale developers are overlooking. These community wind projects, ranging from 5 to 80 MW, are cropping up in part due to recent financial incentives and guidance from firms such as OwnEnergy, based in Brooklyn, NY. “Several converging... [Click Here for the Full Small Wind Tips Article]
Can Residential Wind Power the Electric Cars of the Future?
I have been somewhat intrigued by the topic of wind power charging the electric cars of the future as of late. After reading through a number of blogs and different Q & A areas on the internet, I decided to take the question of feasibility into my own hands, so that I can calculate the outcome and offer you the facts. The first production scale... [Click Here for the Full Small Wind Tips Article]
Click Here for More Featured Small Wind Tips Articles-
Want the latest news about and tips for Small Wind and Community Wind systems? Small Wind Tips provides up to date news and information about small wind best practices, how to select a wind turbine, and much much more. Browse the information below today!
Stay Connected
