Micro Wind Generators for the Urban Setting

http://saving-energy.suite101.com/article.cfm/micro-wind-generators-for-the-urban-setting

Aug 8, 2010 Michelle Jones

ooftop wind generators, home wind turbines - Fsse8info
The advancement in wind turbine technology has now made it possible to place micro wind turbines in urban areas, ranging from commercial to domestic.

The advancement of wind turbine technology has progressed to a point where it is now feasible to purchase a rooftop wind generator. Micro wind generators have made rapid advancements in technology and are now being tested in urban settings. The small wind generators have a variety of designs and uses, ranging from commercial urban buildings to residential urban settings. Wind turbine technology is still in its early stages and is consistently improving creating better opportunity for wind power.
Micro Wind Generators for Commercial Buildings

There are several companies working on rooftop wind generators for urban settings. Commercial buildings are larger, typically have a flat roof, and create a larger area in which to attach a small wind turbine. Several companies have designed wind turbines to fill the need for rooftop wind generators.

These small wind turbines must be able to handle and produce electricity in a low wind area if they are to compete in the urban setting. CNET News has identified two companies leading the pack in small wind technology.
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Aerotecture

Currently Aerotecture is placing their helix wind turbine on multiple buildings inside the city of Chicago Illinois. Their design can be installed vertically or horizontally depending on the needs and wind conditions of the building. The wind generator can also be stacked on top of one another if need be. One specification is the need for a minimum of 10 mph sustained wind speed.

According to Aerotecture, their wind generators work well with solar panels and can be combined to create a hybrid unit. Aerotecture wind turbines cost around $15,000 for their smaller units. Aerotecture states the cost will decline precipitously when full scale manufacturing begins. Consumers will also save more money when they order multiple units.
Aerovironment

Aerovironment, best known for its unmanned aircraft, is placing their small scale modular wind turbines on commercial buildings. The element that sets Aerovironment apart from its competitors is its function combined with aesthetics to create a visually appealing and efficient wind turbine. Known as Architecual Wind, Aerovironment states “Architecual Wind provides a visible, compelling, and architecturally enhancing statement of the buildings commitment to renewable energy” when referring to Aerovironment’s ability to attach their wind turbines to other portions of the building besides the rooftop.
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Their design allows them to capture the accelerated speed of wind in urban areas due to the aerodynamics of the building. Aerovironment expects their small wind turbines to be seen not hidden on a rooftop.
Micro Wind Generators for Residential Buildings

One common obstacle when dealing with small wind turbines is the lack of wind in an urban setting. Researchers at Hong Kong University and Lucien Gambarota of Motorwave Ltd, Motorwind is the subdivision, have created a residential wind system that can produce electricity in 4.5 mph winds and, according to Motorwind’s website, becomes economically feasible in 9mph wind.

Motorwind is small and costs begin at the $200 mark for a small system. Their micro wind turbines can be installed in a variety of places, taking advantages of the accelerated wind areas of a building. Microwind has a detailed website devoted to questions and specifications. Microwind boasts installation throughout Hong Kong, China and in Wisconsin and New York in the United States.
Micro Wind Technology

The need for an alternative and renewable source of energy is increasing and the technologies available are rapidly changing to meet the demands. Wind Technology has advanced from large scale wind turbines to small scale wind turbines. These innovations are paving the way for commercial and residential use inside an urban setting. The technology will only improve and with the mass production of small wind turbines on the horizon, their costs will decline as the benefits increase.

Read more at Suite101: Micro Wind Generators for the Urban Setting http://saving-energy.suite101.com/article.cfm/micro-wind-generators-for-the-urban-setting#ixzz0whaE8vis