How Does a Residential Wind Turbine Work?
If you’re thinking of building or buying a residential wind turbine, you should first understand how it works. This way, you won’t end up expecting too much from your home’s wind turbine. And, you’ll know exactly which type of residential wind turbine is most suitable for your home.
Wind Energy = Solar Energy
Few people are aware that the world currently draws 10% of its energy needs from wind power. But even fewer people are aware that wind energy is actually a variation of solar energy as well. This is because wind is but a product of our planet’s rotation as well as the uneven heating that’s emitted by the world’s surface.
How a Residential Wind Turbine Works
An electric fan, as its name clearly implies, relies on electricity to operate. A wind turbine basically works the same, but this time it relies on wind to have its blades spin or rotate. Gears determining the speed are connected to the wind turbine and they, in return, are connected to the turbine’s generator housing.
Inside the generator of your residential wind turbine is a rotor, which produces electromagnetic induction. Basically, that leads to electrical currents, which run through the copper wires and into the electrical grid system of your home. In some cases, the currents may be directed to a battery bank for storage and emergency or night use. When a wind turbine has a battery bank, a regulator is also present to prevent overcharging.
Horizontal versus Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Horizontal wind turbines are more frequently used than vertical turbines. Horizontal wind turbines somewhat resemble windmills, while vertical wind turbines look more like egg-beaters.
If your home’s wind turbine has a horizontal axis, it’s sure to come with a yaw mechanism that’s particularly effective for increasing your turbine’s efficiency rate.
How Much You Can Use or Save from a Residential Wind Turbine
Huge industry wind turbines are capable of producing anything from 100KW to 5 megawatts of electricity. A residential wind turbine, however, can generate from several hundred watts of electricity to a maximum of 6 kilowatts of electricity.
Wind turbines, similar to solar panels, may have on or off-grid designs. Basically, this means that it may or may not be connected to your local utility company. There are pros and cons for having either.
Besides saving money with home wind turbines, you also get to save the environment as well. Are you aware that you’re able to prevent 1.5 lbs. of carbon emission with every kilowatt hour that you use solar panels or wind turbines?
Wind Speed
Even the most powerful wind turbine won’t work if there is not a sufficient amount of wind present. At the very least, a residential wind turbine can only produce electricity if wind speed is at least 16 KM per hour.
