How A Wind Powered Generator Works

How A Wind Powered Generator Works
July 31st, 2010

Installing a wind powered generator, or turbine, can save the environment and your budget. It usually lowers an electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent and can offset 1.2 tons of air pollutants and 200 tons of greenhouse gases that could have been created by an electric company.
Here is how they work.
The Basics
Wind powered generators have very few moving parts and are mounted on towers between 80 and 120 feet tall. This raises the turbine above wind turbulence to get better wind flow and the higher the tower, the more wind there is for the turbine to use. A turbine collects kinetic energy from the wind by catching it with its blades and then converting it into electricity, which is then sent to your home through a retro fitted device with a secondary utility meter. This makes it compatible with your home's electrical system.

Your home will be connected to both the turbine and your local electric company, so if there is not enough wind to power your turbine you will get your electricity from the electric company and visa versa. When your turbine produces more electricity than your home needs, the electric company is required by law to buy it from you, or the excess can be stored in batteries for later use in your home. This process is automatic and takes no manual adjustments or upkeep from the owner.
For Home Use
Many wind powered generator systems come readymade and can be installed by the home owner or an installer. A regular sized wind powered generator, a unit rated at between 5 and 15 k, can produce enough power for a home that uses 9,400 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. A small turbine can cost from $6,000 to $22,000, including installation, but the cost can be offset by government incentives and grants for those using and installing “green” forms of electricity. The operating cost for a wind powered generator is basically nothing at all.
Most wind powered generator producers recommend that only people with an acre or more of property use the devices. It is also important to check with local building codes to see if the tower will pass regulations. Another regulation to be informed about is your residential bylaws. Many residential areas prohibit towers or any kind of wind powered generators. FAA regulations must also be followed if the tower is anywhere close to a municipal airport.

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