By John Mowatt
Electricity produced by a wind turbine is green power. It causes no pollution of the atmosphere. No greenhouse gases, which are believed to cause climate change, are produced. Wind power generation may be on a very big scale, as with most commercial projects, or it may be on a very small scale which is the case with home owner wind turbines.
Beyond any doubt wind power is the lowest cost type of renewable energy . Solar energy is very clean power also but is much more expensive and is quite limited in power output. Solar panels are, at the present time, expensive when compared to the quantities of electricity they produce. Nuclear energy is used to supply much of the power required in a few countries, particularly in Europe. However there is considerable public opposition to constructing any more nuclear power stations in the USA.
Natural gas is by far the greatest form of new energy production in the USA. Wind power is next in line but much lower. Wind turbines will generate approximately 1% of the United States electricity requirements in 2008. Roughly 30% of new energy generation started up in 2007 was wind power.
Many people now know that green non polluting energy must, in the future, be our highest priority. If we are to limit climate change, and it's devastating effects, we must cut atmospheric pollution. Fossil fuel burning to generate power is a very serious cause of pollution. We must reverse the trend to build more and more fossil fuel powered generating plants.
Individual consumers can help with the move to clean power by using small wind turbines to supply some or all of their power requirements. Wind turbines can be obtained from several manufacturers and can be mounted on a rooftop or on a small free standing tower.
Commercial wind turbines are quite expensive in relation to power output however. A better solution, for many, is to build their own low cost wind turbine. A good turbine can be built from auto parts and a few odds and ends at very low cost. Plans and instructions are available for this project.
Unused power from a turbine will be purchased by the local power company in some cases. This can reduce the cost even more. Electricity may also be stored in batteries until needed when the wind is light. Some power is produced by even a light wind however.
Any home owner may very easily build a small wind turbine, or a number of them, to generate all or part of their required power. To build a wind turbine all that is required is simple tools, some new or used auto parts and wood. Several wind power generators can be built for the price of just one commercial wind turbine.
This could be a good business proposition also for anyone who wants to build these turbines and sell them. There is a strong demand for a low cost turbine and demand is certain to grow in years to come.
The obvious message is why not your build your own wind power turbine and generate free green power for your own use. You will be saving a lot of money and doing mother earth a a big favor by cutting atmospheric pollution. This is an idea whose time has come so why not do it now.
Want to know how I built my own wind turbine simply and cheaply? Plans and instructions are available at Wind Turbine Power. Check this out and you could be independent of the power company very soon.
