POTOMAC WIND ENERGY Presents Small Wind Turbines for
POTOMAC WIND ENERGY Presents: Small Wind Turbines for residential and business use. May 2008
Wind Power in the U. S. (1) Small wind requires less wind to operate than utility-scale wind energy applications
Wind Power in the U. S. (2) A Valuable and Widely-Available Resource: Small Wind Energy Systems Value of Power = 6 -18¢ / k. Wh Installed cost of $2 -$3/Watt, wind energy is 1/3 to 1/2 that of solar technologies Costs for small wind turbines are projected to decrease to $1. 50 / k. W by 2010
Wind Power Basics: (1) How Does a Wind Turbine Work? • Wind turbines use the energy in the wind to turn two or three propellerlike blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected to the main shaft, which spins a generator to create electricity. • Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single home or building, or they can be connected to an electricity grid.
Wind Power Basics: (2) Types of Wind Turbines § Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups: § horizontal-axis variety § vertical-axis design
Wind Power Basics: (3) Turbine systems
Wind Power Basics: (4) Sizes of Wind Turbines § Utility-scale turbines range in size from 100 kilowatts to as large as several megawatts. Larger turbines are grouped together into wind farms, which provide bulk power to the electrical grid. § Smaller turbines, below 100 kilowatts, are used to provide energy for homes, businesses, schools, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping.
Wind Facts: Noise • Modern turbines are relatively quiet • Rule of thumb – stay about 3 x hubheight away from houses
Wind Resources (local) (1)
Wind Resources (local) (2) Maryland Statistics Power Capacity - Existing projects (MW): 0 Power Capacity - Projects under construction (MW): 0 Rank In US (by Existing Capacity): 38 Rank In US (by Potential Capacity): 37 Potential Capacity (in MW): 338 Annual Energy (in billion k. Wh): 3 Top Ranking States: Texas, California , and Iowa
Wind Resources: BLANK (3)
Wind Resources: Investment and Incentives (1) Small wind energy systems carry substantial upfront capital costs, but states can do a lot to make them more affordable. • Rebates or grant programs (10 states) • Personal or corporate tax incentives (14 states) • Sales tax exemptions (10 states) • Property tax exemptions (18 states) • Loan funds (15 states) • Net metering policies (33 states)
Wind Resources: Investment and Incentives (2) Grants and Rebates • Investment incentives are valuable in reducing the effective capital cost of renewable projects. • Grants may be more appropriate for on- and off-grid, small-scale systems in which most of the power produced is used on-site. Revolving Loan Funds • Direct loan programs can include economic development bonds, government and utility loans, community development programs and green bonds.
Wind Resources: Investment and Incentives (3) Sales Tax Reductions • Wind generators involve high capital costs but no fuel costs. • Sales tax must be paid on almost all of a wind energy investment -- turbines, towers, and other equipment. Reducing or exempting renewable energy facilities from sales taxes would place them on a more fair and competitive footing. Property Tax Reductions • Residential renewable energy systems are assessed as property improvements and can significantly drive up a landowner's tax liability. • Local and state authorities can exempt residential systems.
Wind Power Technology: Skystream 3. 7 (1) • Rated Capacity: 1. 9 k. W continuous output, 2. 6 k. W peak • Rotor: 12 feet (3. 72 m); 50 -325 RPM • Interconnection: Utility connected or battery charging • Alternator: Gearless, permanent magnet brushless • Voltage Output: 240 VAC (Optional 208 VAC) • Estimated Energy Production: 400 KWh per month at 12 MPH (5. 4 m/s) • Weight: 170 pounds (77 kg) • Tower: Towers from 34 -70 feet (10. 4 -21. 3 m) are available; • Warranty: Five year limited
Wind Power Technology: Skystream 3. 7 (2) Home and Grid-Tie Applications Requirements for connecting distributed generation systems to the electricity grid vary widely. Check your State regulations for details.
Installation
Wind Energy Resources • Wind Powering America http: //www. eere. energy. gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/ Pages with wind maps, general small wind information • Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy http: //www. dsireusa. org/ Lists tax and rebate incentives by state • State Wind Resource Maps http: //www. eere. energy. gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps. asp • American Council on Renewable Energy http: //www. acore. org/ Works to bring all renewable energy into the mainstream of America's economy and lifestyle Information Sources • American Wind Energy Association: http: //www. awea. org/smallwind/ • National Renewable Energy Laboratory: http: //www. nrel. gov/wind/ • U. S. Department of Energy: http: //www. eere. energy. gov/consumer/your_home/electricity/index. cfm/mytopic=10880 • Skystream 3. 7: http: //www. skystreamenergy. com/skystream/product-info/
Q&A Thank you!
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