Message-ID: <mailto:199506142139.OAA29935@cdp.igc.apc.org> Date: Wed, 14 Jun 1995 14:39:53 -0700 From: Tom Gray <mailto:tgray@IGC.APC.ORG> Subject: Wind generators To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L
/* Written 1:13 PM Jun 14, 1995 by mailto:AE%SJSUVM1.BITNET@cmsa.Berkeley.EDU in igc:list.altenergy */ Reply-To: Alternative Energy Discussion List <mailto:AE%SJSUVM1.BITNET@cmsa.Berkeley.EDU> From: Tom Gray <tgray>
Gwen Anderson writes:
> From: gb52 <mailto:Gwendolyn_ANDERSEN@UMAIL.UMD.EDU>
>
> Does anyone know of any portable wind systems?
> The idea is that herdsmen in windy areas could have a windmill that doesn't
> have to very high up to generate electricity, and that could be folded to
> some extent and moved with them when the community moves.
> ??????
> I would like thoughts on feasibility (I am more than skeptical, but wind is
> one of the cheapest ways of generating electricity) and any information on
> whether it has been tried before.
>
> Thank you. You can either reply to the list or to me personally at
> mailto:gwenandersen@igc.apc.org
- Any wind electric turbine, as long as it is off the ground, can generate electricity. So the phrase "doesn't have to be very high up" doesn't mean too much, except that the rotor needs to be small enough to clear the ground.
- Next, any wind turbine is going to generate more power the further off the ground it is, in most wind regimes. So they're all going to need some kind of tower. Ideally, I think you would be looking for something that comes with a sectional tower.
- Yes, there are such machines. They are made in China and used in Inner Mongolia (maybe Mongolia as well) by nomads. I would guess they are simple, cheap, and not terribly reliable. No need to be too skeptical, though, this is definitely a workable application and one that is in use.
- There are some units made by members of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) that would be suitable for this application. Bergey Windpower Co. has an 850-watt unit (rotor diameter 2.4 m) that lists for $1995, and World Power Technologies has a 600-watt unit (2.1 m) for $980 and a 500-watt unit (1.5 m) (newly introduced) for $790. For further info on tower options, you should contact them directly.
- Contact information:
Bergey Windpower World Power Technologies 2001 Priestley Avenue 19 North Lake Avenue Norman, OK 73069 Duluth, MN 55802 (405) 364-4212 (218) 722-1492 FAX (405) 364-2078 FAX (218) 722-0791 <mailto:2987196@mcimail.com> WWW: http://www.webpage.com/wpt
Tom Gray Northeast Representative American Wind Energy Association ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interested in renewable energy? The free electronic edition of _Wind Energy Weekly_ reports on energy-related environmental issues, energy policy, and wind industry trade news. The electronic edition normally runs about 10kb in length.
For a subscription, send me an e-mail request. Please include information on your position, organization, and reason for interest in the publication. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tom Gray <mailto:tgray@igc.apc.org>