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If you are seeing this message, you made need to upgrade your Flash plugin, or turn on Java Script in your browser, or upgrade your browser itself (Internet Explorer, Firefox) so you can view our videos.Wind turbines are an easy way to cleanly and efficiently provide power to your business or home. This clean energy source is used in more than 70 countries worldwide, with 1.3% of global electricity powered by the wind. Wind energy is the least expensive large-scale renewable energy source.
Wind power has been used for centuries to sail boats, pump water and even power
machines. The oldest known windmill design originated in 18th century Persia
where it was used to grind grains and pump water. It was not until the 1980's,
however, that it began to be used in producing electricity. There have been many
more advances since then and today's single wind turbines can produce 200 times
the amount of power than their equivalent two decades ago. One reasonably powered 660kW wind turbine can generate enough power for the annual electrical needs of 365 homes, saving over 2000 tonnes of greenhouse gases a year. In addition, the area around wind turbines can still be used for farming crops or livestock. Research has shown that wind turbines do not disturb sheep, cows or horses.
Wind turbines comprise of a tower, a nacelle and rotor. The tower is commonly made of steel tubes or lattice. The height of the tower varies but is generally proportional to the generator and the length of the blades on the wind turbine. The nacelle is at the very top of the tower; it holds an electrical generator, the power controls and other mechanical equipment that connect it to the rotor. The rotor is the bit that is spun around by the wind and collects power. It has specially shaped blades, usually made out a light composite material (e.g. fibreglass) that is pushed by the wind. The rotational energy in the rotor is turned into electricity within the generator.
The following criteria are needed for the turbine to work efficiently:
- Average wind speed of 16km/hr, an unobstructed area and a peak wind speed between 55 to 90km/h;
- Property size of at least 2,000m2;
- Local zoning that allows structures of 12.8m or taller;
- Your local utility must have an existing interconnection system.
If there is little or no wind during the day, you can supplement your power from the mains grid or a battery backup system. If you produce too much energy, then the additional energy will be fed back into the mains grid, providing you with credit from your electrical company. Otherwise the energy can be stored in deep-cycle batteries for use later.
At the moment wind turbines are only available as Remote Area Power Systems. Approval for wind turbines connected to the grid systems is expected by 2009. The wind turbine, has low maintenance costs and the pay back-time will depend on cost of installation, electricity and wind speed; the wind system is know for paying back itself relatively quickly.
Renewable Energy Certificate's (REC) are available for wind turbines. One REC symbolizes 1MWh of electricity of renewable energy or one carbon credit. The value of the REC varies and can range from $6 - $36. The rebate is proportional to the amount of energy you save from the installation.
To read more about Wind Energy visit the Australian Wind Energy Association.
To learn more about Renewable Energy Certificates visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator.
To get more information about Climate Changes visit the CSIRO.
