Costs versus Benefits of Wind Energy
It seems as if it's common knowledge that cost wind energy
is to high and too much of a hassle for most Americans to
take decisive action on it. But is this really so? When you
take out your pocket calculator and do some math you might
end up with a different picture. Consider that, in the US,
the average family uses over 10,000 kilowatts of electricity
per year at an average cost of 10.7¢ per kilowatt hour. The
recent actual cost of wind energy was calculated at 10 to
11¢ per kilowatt hour. And when you are scaling up to
utility sized wind turbines the expenses are about 4 to 7¢
per kilowatt hour. These are the real wind energy facts that
might make you wonder. Let’s continue. Take one small 10 Kw
wind turbine and a 12 mph wind, together they are good for
10.000 Kwh of electrical energy per year. And while we are
still in calculus mode, this equals about 250 gallons of oil
and 375 pounds of Carbon Dioxide emissions every year.
Ok, you might not have a 12 Mph wind blowing 365 days a
year but you get the picture. Alternative wind energy might
be a rather good idea after all.
Fact is that a modern
residential wind turbine can lower electric bills by 50 to
90% in most parts of the country. This depends greatly on
your location and the seasonal fluctuations in energy
consumption. Heavy air-conditioning in the South takes its
toll while the part of the country with a more moderate
climate will see year around lower energy bills. This leaves
the advantage of the South wide open though because heat and
sunlight are great alternative energy sources in themselves.
Wind Speed and Infrastructure
Wind speed it the most important factor when it comes to
the cost of wind energy. The amount of energy wind contains
is not a linear but a logarithmical equation. You will see a
huge jump in output with a relative low change in wind
speed. The design of the rotor blades has a great impact on
the efficiency. When you live in stormy coastal areas you
will not achieve maximum benefit from a rotor blade designed
for low wind inland areas. Major advances are being made in
rotor design, and especially some European countries are
already producing a significant amount of their energy
through these systems
But it comes natural that the
most crucial factor is the wind itself. Your generator needs
to be placed well above buildings and trees to achieve
maximum effectiveness. A wind turbine placed at the right
altitude can show a 50% higher production than the same one
placed too low above the ground. Manufactures are
emphasizing this fact therefore for a very good reason.
When you consider buying a residential wind turbine of
about 10 Kw your total energy independence comes at a price
of $30.000 to $50.000. There are a great many possibilities
to get a government grant so you’ll end up paying a lot
less. While you are doing your homework on these systems is
a good idea to consider a combination of solar and wind
energy because they are often almost complimentary. When the
sun shines and the days are warm you won’t need much energy
to heat your house. Your solar panels can keep up with the
demand. But in winter with stronger winds and low
temperatures you house will loose a lot of heat, And that is
when your wind turbines will produce peak At night you solar
panels will be “dead, but since you need less energy you
turbine will be able to safeguard your energy independence.
A good conclusion is that wind energy cost not as
much as most think. That a Government Grants will help you
in a major way and that a combination of solar and wind
energy is a winner. It really is possible to become
independent from the normal grid with a relatively small
investment. For you and your family it has the added
advantage that no matter how political or economical winds
blow electricity is one thing you don’t have to worry about.
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