Wind power for the home.

[alevin]

StatOil is constructing off-shore wind installations off the coast of Norway, of course they only have horrendous North Sea storms, in lieu of hurricanes....

 

[James48843]

...so ...considering that we have oil rigs out in the gulfs, would it be possible to devise windmills that would be stable out there too?
And in the Great Lakes?

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[grandma]

Evidently, if you live on the ocean, you can really get some use out of these.

...so ...considering that we have oil rigs out in the gulfs, would it be possible to devise windmills that would be stable out there too?
And in the Great Lakes?

 

[Callme_CO]

Don't forget the great lakes too

Evidently, if you live on the ocean, you can really get some use out of these.

 

[ChemEng]

Evidently, if you live on the ocean, you can really get some use out of these.

Here's a national-scale map for windpower potential. Many states, counties and/or utilities have finer-scale maps these days. My local area is poor-marginal for wind, so I plan to focus on solar one of these years unless my heat-pump plans go awry-still fiddling with that one but closer every day.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_potential.html

 

[CountryBoy]

I happen to live in a real windy spot. On topographical map I am on the high point for miles. Wind blows here every day just varies. The low start speed is a plus on weak days. Solar is to costly for me and my prime installation is shaded in the summer, my massive roof. I'm money ahead to shade the house.

That's great to hear that you may be able to take advantage of this new Honeywell tech. Self sufficenty is the wave of the future. Good luck bud and send pics of course.

CB

 

[Show-me]

I happen to live in a real windy spot. On topographical map I am on the high point for miles. Wind blows here every day just varies. The low start speed is a plus on weak days. Solar is to costly for me and my prime installation is shaded in the summer, my massive roof. I'm money ahead to shade the house.

 

[CountryBoy]

I have always been interested in this subject and found a more promising wind power source than the old shaft type wind generators.

WindTronics, market with Honeywell. The claim you will be able to purchase them through Ace Hardware Stores.

http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx

I've researched these, but where I live it would be impractical, because the wind energy, in my area, is minimal. Solar is the way I'll have to go, but right now, it is cost prohibitive with current technology and modifications required, but I'm still looking for the equivalent in solar power, that Honeywell is offering in wind.

I'd be interested in what you decide to do.

CB

 

[James48843]

And a link to high-resolution wind potential maps of most states is here:

http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp

I too am leaning towards going solar- currently looking at a 2kW solar PV system- trying to get the best price. Wind is cool, but not practical where I am.

 

[alevin]

Here's a national-scale map for windpower potential. Many states, counties and/or utilities have finer-scale maps these days. My local area is poor-marginal for wind, so I plan to focus on solar one of these years unless my heat-pump plans go awry-still fiddling with that one but closer every day.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_potential.html

 

[James48843]

Hmmm..... the power curve isn't that great. You still need to get significant wind in order to get significant power. This would work great in an area with significant wind, but I am afraid it won't do much where I am. It looks like, from the curve, you only get 100 watts at a 10 MPH wind speed. That's not very good at all for a 6K investment.

View attachment 7064

If you lived somewhere where you have 25 MPH winds, this looks pretty good. But for places like where I am, I'm not too sure it's worthwhile.

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[James48843]

I have always been interested in this subject and found a more promising wind power source than the old shaft type wind generators.

WindTronics, market with Honeywell. The claim you will be able to purchase them through Ace Hardware Stores.

http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx

Nice.

Now, the only question is what kind of output it has at those lower wind speeds- because where I am, we have very little wind. If it does indeed put out a significant current below say, six miles per hour, then I think they have something there.

 

[Show-me]

I have always been interested in this subject and found a more promising wind power source than the old shaft type wind generators.

WindTronics, market with Honeywell. The claim you will be able to purchase them through Ace Hardware Stores.

http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx