The common image of a wind turbine is usually of a tall mast in windswept open country. Densely populated, urban sprawls are hardly conducive for setting up examples of wind energy. But that may change as small innovations combined with federal stimulus are winding up the home energy market. A Michigan company named EarthTronics is among a slew of companies that are energetically looking to tap into the growing urban interest in self generation of power.
EarthTronics was in the news last month because it brought out a small wind turbine that can generate electricity from low winds. The company claims it to be ‘the highest output, lowest cost per [kilowatt hour] installed turbine ever made.’
Regular wind turbines are tall structures made of up of large diameter blades. The higher heights and large blades are necessary to catch high velocity winds and generate enough momentum to operate the gearbox which in turn transmits the mechanical force to the generators. The EarthTronics’ Honeywell turbine does away with the central gearbox and instead relies on magnets. Such a ‘direct drive generator’ thus becomes a much lighter and compact unit. The lesser weight gives it the capability to generate electricity in winds anywhere between two and 45 miles per hour. The other benefit is that the lighter weight also allows it to be roof mounted instead of being anchored on the ground.
The design changes thus make it suitable for urban use where wind speeds impeded by concrete structures are quite low, usually in the 2 mile range. EarthTronics Honeywell wind turbine looks like a giant wheel with a six feet diameter and weighing 95 pounds. The turbines generate 2 Kilowatts of power. The cost works out to $4500 plus an installation cost of $1,500.
EarthTronics is positioning itself as the U.S market is poised for alternative energy growth. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) estimates that the small wind turbine market will grow to 1,700 megawatts by 2013. Last year itself the market saw an upswing of 78 percent (17.3 megawatts) over the figures for 2007.
Will the urban skyline change? That’s difficult to say even with the growth graphs because consumer acceptance hinges not only the technology but also the mindset of change that must come about to accept alternative energy.
