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Jump to: Small Wind Systems
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Small Wind Issues
Hybrid Electric Systems
Anemometer Loan Program
Research and Development
Distributed Wind Technology
What Size Turbine Do I Need?
Additional Resources
The distinction between large and small wind projects depends on the capacity of the turbines to be installed. Small projects include installation of a turbine with a capacity of up to and including 100 kilowatts (kW) and a generator hub height of 120 feet or less. Any turbine alcove this threshold is considered large (GAO 2004 Report). Small wind turbines can be the lowest cost source of clean electricity for rural America. They have been used in rural areas for household electricity for many years and in the past decade, there has been a dramatic rise in the use these power systems as more people are looking for alternative, affordable and reliable sources of electricity.
The small wind turbine industry estimates that 60% of the United States has enough wind resources for small turbine use. Small wind energy systems cost from $3,000 to $5,000 for every kilowatt (kW) of generating capacity. One kW is equal to 1,000 watts, which is the amount of electricity that can illuminate ten 100-watt light bulbs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a small wind-powered electric generator can reduce a homeowners electric bills by 50% to 90%.
The small wind turbine industry is one of the few renewable industries still dominated by the United States, according to a new study by the American Wind Energy Association. The 2007 Global Small Wind Market Study finds that 6,807 small wind turbines were sold in the United States in 2006, compared with an estimated 9,502 wind turbines sold in the rest of the world. Using small wind turbines, U.S. farmers, ranchers, business owners, and homeowners are reducing their utility bills, stabilizing their electricity supplies, displacing carbon emissions from fossil fuel sources, and helping to reduce our dependence on foreign fuel markets.
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Grid Connected Systems
Small wind energy systems may be connected to the electricity distribution system, the grid. Grid-connected, residential-scale models (1-10 kW) are the fastest growing market segment. A grid-connected wind turbine can reduce consumption of utility-supplied electricity for lighting, appliances, and electric heat. When the turbine cannot deliver the amount of energy needed, the utility makes up the difference.
Micro Turbines
The smallest turbines with power ratings of less than 1 kW are normally used to charge batteries for sailboats and small homes. For purchasing and installing information, see these American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) web pages on buying a small wind energy system and small wind in Texas.
Small Wind Publications
To help accelerate the development and use of small wind systems, DOE has issued the Small Wind Electric Systems Consumer's Guide.Also see DOE's small wind electric systems web site.
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Source: American Wind Energy Association
If you live on at least one acre of land with an ample wind resource, you can use a small wind turbine to power your own house and to pump water.
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Distributed Wind Technology
Distributed small wind electric systems can make a significant contribution to our nation's energy needs. A distributed wind generator is an off-grid, stand alone system that provides power to a non grid-connected area located near the pont of use. Isolated, rural areas where electric power transmission lines are limited or have not been installed are ideal areas for distributed wind generators. However, because wind energy is an intermittent, variable source of electricity, stand-alone turbines generally require a backup hybrid power system that include another source of power to provide constant power, such as solar photovoltaics or batteries with inverters (to convert DC electricity from the batteries to AC for the home's electrical appliances).
For a description of the Texas policies that are in place, see the Texas Public Utility Commission web site on distributed generation and see this list of distributed generation contacts in the Texas utilities.
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Hybrid Electric Systems
Wind and Solar are naturally complementary in terms of both resources being well suited to hybrid systems. The rapid growth of the solar photovoltaics (PV) industry has contributed to the demand for small wind turbines, as the two technologies are often market complements. Hybrid electric systems combine wind and PV systems to make the most of the area's seasonal wind and solar resources; with wind relatively more available in winter months and at night time, and solar relatively more available in summer months and during winter's sunlit days. These hybrid systems provide a more consistent year-round output than either wind-only or PV-only systems and can be designed to achieve desired attributes at the lowest possible cost. These systems can be grid connected, but they are also often stand-alone, distributed energy generators.
For the times when neither system is producing enough electric power, most hybrid systems have backup power through batteries and/or an engine generator powered by conventional fuels, such as diesel.
This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) diagram of a hybrid power system. The wind supplies energy through a wind turbine, and the sun supplies energy through a PV system. Four batteries back up the hybrid system with non-intermittent electric power. See DOE's Small "Hybrid" Solar and Wind Electric Systems web site.
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This photo shows a stand-alone hybrid system used by a rural homeowner for electrical power. Hybrid systems combining wind and solar technologies are especially attractive for rural electrification projects in remote areas far from the power grid. |
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This photo shows a grid-connected hybrid system used by a homeowner for electrical power. The use of small PV/wind hybrid systems for household electricity is attractive because of the complementary seasonal solar and wind resources. |
What Size Turbine Do I Need?
Small wind systems range from 20 watts to 100 kilowatts (kW) for use at homes, farms, schools, local government buildings and public facilities. The systems at the lower end of the capacity range (micro wind systems with less than 1kW in capacity) can be used for charging batteries, pumping water, grinding grain, and powering recreational vehicles and sailboats. The micro systems are generally not connected to the grid.
DOE estimates that residential wind turbines generally range in size from 400 watts up to 100 kilowatts (kW), depending on the electrical load that you want to generate. For an average sized house that uses approximately 1,000 kWh per month, a wind turbine rated in the range of 5 to 10 kW would be required. Grid-connected, residential-scale models (1-10kW) are the fastest growing market segment.
Wind turbine manufacturers and consultants can help you size your system based on your electricity needs and the specifics of your areas's wind patterns and speed. Lists of manufacturers are available from AWEA, but not all small turbine manufacturers are members of AWEA. Also Check out the Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association (select the Members tab) and the Texas Solar Energy Society web site (select Find Vendors). These organizations offer numerous contacts.
For residential applications, you should first establish an energy budget to help define the size of turbine you will need. Because energy efficiency is usually less expensive than energy production, making your house more energy efficient the size of wind turbine needed will probably be more cost effective and will reduce the size of the wind turbine you need. See SECO's Energy Savings for Home and Business for ways that you can conserve energy in your home.
SECO's Anemometer Loan Program
One of the most important criteria for determining the feasibility of a wind project is the level of wind resource available. An anemometer is a small cup-like device that rotates on top of a meteorological tower to measure the velocity or the pressure of the wind (see photo). Both the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and the Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) at West Texas A & M University have often been been asked to provide an estimate for installing, maintaining and analyzing data from a standard meteorological tower on a landowners property. AEI now operates an Anemometer Loan Program for SECO .
AEI will provide data logger, sensors, and wire to install onto the landowner-provided tower as part of the anemometer loan program for Texas residents. Wiring costs would vary according to tower size and the number of sensors. AEI will package everything with instructions and ship it to the landowner (custom to their site), and provide phone tech support. See the AEI Land Owners Cost Guide with contact numbers. AEI also maintains a list of technicians who are familiar and capable of installing these NRG standard towers. To find companies in your area refer to the AEI Installers web page.
Small Wind Turbine Research and Development
New technologies are bringing down the costs of purchasing small wind systems. Modern small wind systems are high tech and low maintenance with up to a 40-year lifespan. The federal government, universities and the wind industry are collectively investing millions of dollars for research and development of wind turbine technology. A real breakthrough for small wind electrical generators is advanced technology in low wind speed, advanced component technology, and distributed wind energy systems. See DOE's web site on publications on wind turbine research and development.
According to AWEA, advanced wind energy technology has made it possible for manufacturers to design small wind systems to fit the market model of any other household appliance, meaning they are made to be increasingly easy to install, operate, and maintain. Some turbine models transmit live data remotely so that a customer can monitor the system's performance from a home computer and know immediately if maintenance is needed.
Additional Resources
Small Wind Systems Links
Small Wind in Texas
This AWEA web site provides information specific to buying and installing a small wind turbine in Texas.
I want to install a small wind turbine
An AWEA web site.
What do I need to know to purchase a residential wind turbine?
An AWEA web site.
Small Wind Turbine Equipment Providers
An AWEA web site.
Small Wind Systems Advice from an Expert
Zoning issues, insuring your system, and technical information by Mick Sagrillo, whose advice columns on small wind systems appear in national magazines and in the AWEA Windletter.
Wind Turbine Buyers Guide 2007
By Mick Sagrillo and Ian Woofenden, with practical advice for first-time buyers.
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) invites those interested in small wind systems to e-mail AWEA in order to join AWEA's small turbine email group to link up with organizations that promote wind and to find other renewable energy sources in your area. Also see AWEA's Small Wind Turbine Yahoo! Group.
Distributed Generation
A Wikipedia encyclopedia article.
2002 Farm Bill
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 authorized $115 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide assistance for renewable energy projects, including wind power. Section 9006 of the bill directed the USDA to create a program to help farmers, ranchers and rural small businesses pay for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. To assist the USDA in interpreting Section 9006, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published this GAO report: Wind Power's Contribution to Electric Power Generation and Impact on Farms and Rural Communities, which examines the various aspects of leasing land for wind turbines.
Distributed Wind Energy Technology
A DOE web site. Distributed energy refers to small, modular power-generating technologies that can be located at or near the location where the energy is used. The research goal of this program is to reduce the cost of electricity from distributed wind systems to 10 to 15 cents/kWh in Class 3 wind resources by 2007, the same level that is currently achievable in Class 5 winds.
Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) prepared this manual to guide
the inclusion of distributed generation (DG) into the Texas electric system. It is intended for use by utility engineers processing distributed generation interconnection applications, as well as those considering the interconnection of distributed generation with a transmission and distribution utility. The manual includes a review of safety and technical requirements of DG installations; a copy of applicable rules, application procedures and forms; Texas utility contacts and equipment pre-certification requirements.
Renewable Energy Vendors & Services
SECO does not link directly to vendors, but you can visit the Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association web site and select the Search Our Members tab. There you can search by the type of renewable energy that interests you. You can also find vendor contact information on the Texas Solar Energy Society web site and select the Find Vendors link for their database of vendors who provide products or services related to renewable energy. Of course, when talking with a vendor, always be sure to ask for references.
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