Coming to your Ace Hardware Store-The $5,499 Honeywell wind turbine

[Ichingcarpenter]

Generally, rooftop turbines can't produce electricity unless the wind is blowing six or eight miles per hour. This turbine is different. Developed by WindTronics, based in Muskegon, Michigan, it's only 6 feet in diameter and can generate energy at wind speeds of just two miles per hour. WindTronics moved the power-generating parts to the outside of the wheel, where the blades turn faster. Reducing the bulk in the center also allows the turbine to turn more easily. Says CEO Reg Adams: "We've turned traditional wind turbines inside out."

Starting in November, WindTronics's turbines will be available for sale in Ace Hardware stores, under the Honeywell brand. The company hopes to sell 50,000 by the end of 2010.



The $5,499 device can produce up to 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, or roughly 18 percent of the average household's use, according to CEO Reg Adams. But that assumes an average wind speed of 12.8 miles per hour; most homes will see far less. Nevertheless, the machine brings wind power within reach for low-wind areas.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20091001/innovation-a-new-rooftop-wind-turbine.html





From the manufacturers site:
http://www.earthtronics.com/honeywell.aspx

[WillParkinson]

1. Wow...

Awesome. I'm forwarding this to Paul. He'll like it.

[Submariner]

2. Here is a video of the test of the new inexpensive wind turbine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nSB1SdVHqQ

:hide:

[kestrel91316]

10. No, that's a giant freestanding traditional commercial wind turbine, dummy.

[Submariner]

13. "Dummy"....that's original

Get a sense of humor please, or clam up.

[peace frog]

3. Thanks for the link.

[8 track mind]

4. sweet!!!! n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

5. What I like about it is> the electronics included, availability and the price

Also this could be done by a competent do it yourselfer.


However some local zoning laws might ban it in some areas and is not
architecturally attractive though it would look cool on a dome type structure.

[kristopher]

6. This is for suckers.

No design can extract energy from the wind when the energy isn't there. The energy density of wind increases EXPONENTIALLY with wind speed, so even though a wind turbine moves and produces *some* current at very low speeds, doesn't mean it is producing enough to justify the purchase or even make a non-critical owner feel like they got something that works.

Before you shell out this much money I'd recommend interested people invest first in something like this:
http://www.bettergeneration.com/

Device to take "guesswork" out of small-scale renewable energy
Friday 12 June 2009

The days of small wind turbines or solar panels being installed in poor locations by disappointed householders or businesses could be over - thanks to a new low-cost gadget.

Launched for sale yesterday by the online green energy shop Better Generation, the "Power Predictor" can take site-specific measurements of wind speeds and sunshine for a fraction of the cost of professional surveys.

After just 30 days' measurements, users can upload their data to a special website to make use of the company's weather forecasting software and predict the energy generation potential of their site across a whole year.

The system can recommend what it believes is the most cost-effective form of renewable energy for the site - and the most appropriate equipment manufacturers from which to buy.

It will also provide an idea of how long it would take for a microgeneration product to pay for itself.

The Power Predictor is available for just £99.95, for which users can set up the measurement tools at three different locations to test for the best site for small wind or solar power equipment...

For a further £10 fee, the system can be used at more locations for the user to find the best location or height for the technology they intend to buy....
http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=2738§ion=Microgeneration#

[phantom power]

7. exponent police: wind energy increases as the cube of wind speed.

(which is polynomial growth, not exponential)

Which does not argue against your point: wind speed decreases by 50%, energy decreases by 87.5%.

[kristopher]

8. Dear Exponent Officer PP,

I was aware of the infraction but violated the law in my overzealous pursuit of a simple message. Thank you for protecting us all from such slovenly corner cutting; thus ensuring the accuracy of communication and enhancing public well being.

[Greyskye]

11. I'd been wondering if there was anything like this out there!

Thanks for the link - this is exactly what I've been hoping for!

http://www.bettergeneration.com/power-predictor/introducing-the-power-predictor-anemometer.html

Technical specification

Power Predictor Site Assessment tool

* 3-cup pulse anemometer
* Data logger included
* Accurate to +/- 3% in independently verified tests
* Wind vane for measuring prevailing wind direction and turbulence (requires correct orientation)
* Solar sensor for recording sunshine hours
* Power Predictor web application works through your browser - with PC or Mac
* Self contained waterproof data logger engineered for low power operation
* LCD screen provides live windspeed and solar indication
* 512 MB SD memory card included with USB adaptor
* PP3 9V battery supplied, lasts over six months in normal conditions
* 5m cable (6m extension cable available seperately)
* Requires USB 1.0 or 2.0 port on your computer
* Minimum 30 days data required before report generated
* Rugged UV resistant ABS plastic
* RoHS compliant and fully CE certified

[kristopher]

14. You're welcome, but the thanks go to OkIsItMe.

I just bookmarked Ok's original contribution.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

9. Small scale wind generation technology is still too expensive.

My electric bill averaged 20.5kWh per day for the last 12mo cycle.
That is about 613.50 KWh/month at $.087/kWh ... or about $53/month for electric.

$5500 could buy me roughly 8.6 years of electricity at 600+ kWh/mo.
$5500 could buy me roughly 25.3 years of electricity at the comparable 208 kWh/mo

Bottom line, at $5500, this still cannot even generate 1/3 the power uses of the average home.
The average American would have to finance such a product, typically about $100/mo for 5yrs for something like this.
This product would increase my base electric bill 155% for 5 years but only lower the base electric bill 34% thereafter.
I doubt the system would outlast it's payback period (25 years) without significant overhaul/maintenance. That's 65+ million MHBF.

The money would be much better spent (environmentally speaking) focusing on other areas of green-living.
Recycling, Low power appliances, using less water, home insulation, plating trees, etc...

[joshcryer]

12. This is pretty lame, for the same price you can build one 10 times as powerful.

http://www.otherpower.com/

Going to build my own and perhaps even start making and selling 500 KW windmills in the coming years. Definitely the former, not sure about the latter.