Wind turbines have been in existence for a very long time now. As soon as we hear the wind turbine images of huge towers with massive blades come to mind. With rapid advances in technology though, compact residential wind turbines have become a reality. They are so compact in size that you can easily install them in your backyard. You can now cut down on your energy bills, as well as contribute towards a cleaner environment.
The working mechanism involved in residential wind turbines is quite simple. Wind turns the blades of the domestic turbine, which is in turn connected to a DC motor. The current that is induced is then stored in batteries. You can then use it to power various different home appliances such as a computer or a TV.
The internet is a good source of information, if you want to build your own wind turbine. In fact the rising popularity of residential wind turbines can be directly attributed to numerous online guides on the topic.
Proper planning holds the key to building your own wind turbine. You should first of all make a list of all the things that you will need for the project. Building your own wind turbine need not be a costly affair. You can easily shop for most of the supplies at a local hardware store.
For those living in a windy area, a short tower will do. Conversely for those living in an area where there are only low winds, they need to put up a tower that is a tall enough to catch the wind. Even a slight breeze though is enough to turn the technologically advanced blades that you find these days.
Wind turbines are the best answer to the high and rising cost of energy. Electricity created from wind power is the best answer to one of today’s most serious problems–the high cost of fossil fuels.
There are other ideas which may help of course. Solar power is clean but,at the present time, solar panels are quite high priced and have limited power output. Their best use is probably as an addition to wind power production. They can be used as roof panels on a building and will supply additional power.
Nuclear power is another source and this form of power is being used in many places around the globe. The cost to build nuclear power plants is very high however and there is a lot of public opposition to their use after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl disasters.
Nuclear power stations will probably be a large part of future power supply around the world. If well built with all necessary safeguards they have been shown to be dependable and safe.
Wind power is at present the best all around power source for small scale power generation. Small individually owned wind power turbines can supply a large portion of our power requirements in the years immediately ahead.
Many companies are now offering wind turbine generators for sale to the general public. They are being installed by town and country property owners in ever growing numbers.
An alternative is to build a wind turbine,from available plans,at a very big cost saving. Any home owner or farmer in city or country may use this type of low cost power and be completely independent of the local power utility.
It is not even necessary to have high winds all the time. Even gentle breezes will generate some power. This power can be stored in batteries for future use.
A very good wind turbine power generator can be built using new or used auto parts. It may be installed on a roof or on its own tower. The construction of a turbine from available plans and instructions is really quite simple. The average person who can use simple tools will have no trouble in building one or more of these wind generators.
Excess power which is produced can be sold to the local power utility in many places. This type of wind turbine or windmill was much used on farms in the 1930-1950s era and was proven to be reliable. Two or three of them can be built to supply all the power needed and this can be stored in batteries till needed for use. Build it and the wind will come– and bring free power along with it for your use.