Turbines power town hall
August 19, 2010 by Kathleen Zipp
Filed under Wind Power Projects, Wind Turbine Installation
Five Windspire wind-and-solar hybrid turbines were installed in August 2010 on a hill behind the township hall in Genoa, Michigan. The 30-ft tall turbines are each rated for 1.2 kW, a total of 6 kW. System experts expect its 9.5 kW total output to provide about 20% of the hall’s electrical needs.
Installation costs for such equipment as the Windspire wind turbine ranges between $9,000 and $12,000, not including tax credits.
On a windy or sunny day when the township hall is not in use, the energy conversion may generate more power than the hall needs. In these circumstances power will be fed back to the electrical grid. A net meter will spin backwards paying the township for energy produced. At an average wind speed of 12 mph —high for this part of the state— one turbine will produce 2000 kWh per year, which is 25% of the energy usage for an average home. Turbine designers say the useful life for these systems in more than 20 years.
The Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth Bureau of Energy Systems awarded the township an Energy Efficiency Block Grant for $94,919, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The township received $8,800 in personnel and contractual services from the project.
The Windspire wind turbine is manufactured in Manistee, Michigan with domestic materials. The rotors are made of recycled aircraft-grade extruded aluminum. Contractor’s Building Supply Inc., a local company, completed the installation.
Windspire
Turbine said to tolerate 168 mph winds
July 18, 2009 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Small Wind Power, Wind Watch
The Windspire wind turbine is said to be a low-cost, low-noise appliance for use in urban, suburban, rural, and remote locations. Manufactured Mariah Power, Reno, Nevada, the turbines feature patented equipment to maximizes energy conversion from wind into electric power, regardless of speed or direction.
A high-wind version of a vertical axis wind turbine is said to withstand jetstream-like 168 mph winds and extreme weather conditions. The High Wind Windspire from Mariah Power, Reno, Nevada, will feature a shorter version of the company’s giromill straight blade design and its current generator and inverter. The company plans to sell this new product to government agencies, cellular companies, and ski resorts that require alternative energy equipment for consistent high wind and remote areas. The unit can be grid tied or used in dc form to recharge batteries.
The High Wind Windspire stands 13-ft tall and 4-ft wide. The unit is rated at 1.1 kW at 30 mph and is estimated to produce 2,066 kWh in 15 mph average wind speeds.
“The High Wind Windspire addresses the irony of wind power: a good wind resource is necessary to produce wind energy but too much wind can harm wind turbines,” said company CEO Mike Hess. “The new design allows installing it in areas with extreme winds and survive.” The company says to expect other new products in coming months.
Vertical axis unit rated for 1.2 kW
July 13, 2009 by Paul Dvorak
Filed under Small Wind Power
The Windspire is intended for areas with average wind speeds of at least 10 mph (4.5 m/s), and works best where average winds exceed 12 mph (5.4 m/s). Winds vary by location, even within a property, and generally preferred sites are clear of nearby obstructions such as tall trees and buildings.
An attractive and quiet wind turbine is only 30-ft tall, 4-ft wide, and distinguished by a propeller-free design. The Windspire, a vertical axis design from Mariah Power, Reno, Nevada, generates power which is converted to alternating current to power a home grid.
The turbine was designed from the ground up as a complete system to maximize electrical and mechanical efficiency and to minimize system cost. Patented technology includes a high-efficiency generator, integrated inverter, hinged monopole, and wireless performance monitor. The 1.2-kW unit can produce about 2,000 kWh per year in 12 mph average winds. The turbine includes wireless monitoring software so users can check power production in real time.
Starting at $6,500 for the complete system (without installation) the Windspire is said to be priced lower than comparable wind turbines and other alternative energy options. The price includes poles, inverter, wireless performance monitor, and the hinged monopole. There are no expensive extras to buy. After deducting a 30% federal tax credit (available in the U.S.), and local rebates in some areas, a net cost is even lower. An average payback is less than 10 years.
Rugged yet simple construction means durability and low maintenance. Developers say the Windspire wind turbine will operate for 20 years or more. It is made with durable, corrosion-protected steel and aircraft grade aluminum, oversized bearings, and a simple mechanical structure. It is rated to withstand winds up to 105 mph, snow, and ice.
