Editor’s Note: As posted on WINDExchange, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Wind Program’s platform for disseminating credible information about wind energy, this release has been derived from audio from Mia Devine. Devine is the Northwest SEED Project Manager, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating and empowering communities to develop their own solutions for conservation…
3D printed wind turbines help remote communities gain sustainable power
When it comes to energy, finding a sustainable clean energy alternative to fossil fuels is one of the most talked about engineering challenges. Wind power is a very popular alternative due to its lack of emissions, and it can be applied to virtually any environment. While we’re working to develop mass-scale clean power solutions, it’s…
Small wind fleet hits over 2 million hours in less than 3 yrs
A manufacturer of advanced distributed 5 to 50 kW wind turbines and future manufacturer of Norwin’s mid-size wind turbines, is pleased to announce that its E-3120, 50 kW wind turbine has successfully reached more than two million fleet hours of operation in less than three years. Endurance commissioned its first E-3120 50 kW wind turbine…
White paper: Wind turbine generator safety compliance in the U.S and Canada
A report published by Intertek: Wind Turbine Generator Safety Compliance in the United States and Canada, identifies the most common issues faced by manufacturers of wind turbine generators and components and providing them, as well as customers and investors, with information on how to improve the overall wind turbine, product-safety certification. The white paper, authored…
The big guys learn financing from the little ones
Community wind projects provide a wealth of information about what works and what doesn’t when financing a utility-scale project.
Small wind a big part of Solar and Wind Expo
Small wind was a highlight of the Solar and Wind Expo (www.thesolarandwindexpo.com) a consumer-oriented renewable energy event recently held in Baltimore. Several small-wind companies exhibiting were enthusiastic about the event and its attendees. “They came to see and learn about the latest in renewable energy equipment,” said Gary K. Sorrelle, a wind specialist with Atech…
Is it a chimney…or a turbine?
Wind turbines on houses are not always practical because some home owner associations would object to the noise it might make, or neighborhoods that restrict changes in aesthetics. A U.K. inventor may have solved the problem with a design called the Secret Energy Turbine (SET) because it disguises the turbine as part of a chimney.…
Small wind certification testing goes regional
The DOE recently announced the selection of four partners to establish small wind Regional Test Centers (RTCs) to conduct tests on small wind turbines to meet national and international standards. These awards provide funding, training, and technical support for each Regional Test Center so they may conduct testing on two small wind turbines to support…
Analyzing building-integrated wind
Russell M. Tencer/CEO, Wind Products LLC/New York, NY Controversy seems to follow the installation of wind turbines on building rooftops, and for good reason. On one hand, there can be considerable wind with harvestable kinetic energy at roof level. Accessing this clean, renewable source of power can be a good way for building owners to…
Wind-turbine manufacturer adds solar interest, changes name
Earth Turbines Inc, Williston, Vermont, the state’s only manufacturer of small scale grid-connected wind and solar tracking systems, announces a corporate name change to AllEarth Renewables Inc. “Our company is dedicated to developing new wind and solar technologies,” says David Blittersdorf, CEO and president of AllEarth Renewables. “We want to be sure that our corporate…
Cleanfield Energy adds Smart controls to turbines
A 3.5kW vertical-axis wind turbine is said to produce clean, reliable energy for residential and commercial applications. The system can mount on flat rooftops, as well as traditional towers and poles. The V3.5 from Cleanfield Energy, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, can be installed without the need to change existing wiring, and can be used for both…
Vertical axis turbine works well atop office building
One forecast for small scale wind generators (sometimes called microgeneration) has them providing 30 to 40% of all the UK’s electricity needs by 2050. The British Wind Energy Association hints that with price trends for crude oil continuing up, the cost of small scale wind could be competitive with fossil fuels by as early as…
A home turbine for net metering
A wind generator for grid-connected homes is said to let users take control of their energy bills. The Skystream 3.7 from Southwest Windpower, Flagstaff, Ariz, lets those in certain states can take advantage of ‘net-metering,’ or the sale of unused energy back to the power grid. The turbine is said to be the first residential…
HPM America launches 1kW to 1 MW wind turbines
Wind-generated electricity in some locations is close to the cost of power from conventional utility generation. Wind power, the world’s fastest-growing energy source, will provide industry, businesses, and homes with clean, renewable electricity for many years. So in keeping with this year’s theme at NPE (National Plastics Exhibition) 2009 in Chicago of “Energy Efficiency and…