Battery wind systems
Another option is to route the power directly into a battery bank for current and future needs. The incorporation of this type of system into your lifestyle is referred to as
“living off the grid.” But to ensure that 100% of your power demand is met you must carefully size the system taking into account wind resources, turbine size, and tower
height.
Hybrid wind power systems
The third option is a combination grid tied system with a battery backup. A battery backup is good to have when the grid is down or on windless days, but it will add
about a third again as much to the total cost of the system. For this reason, the majority of wind systems sold are grid tied only.
Some manufacturers make only battery-charging machines, and may offer a variety of turbine voltages. Others produce machines intended to connect to grid-synchronous inverters without batteries. One machine by Skystream integrates the inverter with the turbine.
We have all read about or at least have heard about the burgeoning popularity of home solar power systems. It is in fact our future source of power and as more consumer buys and implement their own home solar system, the prices can only come down and make things more affordable all around. However residential wind power has taken a back seat to its big sister, home solar systems. I find that unfortunate, because wind power energy can be so practical for many applications. In the East USA they get a lot of cloudy days, but it’s also those days that have some wind in them, so when the sun stops energy production the wind can take up the slack. This is just one idea, there are many more. But do you realize, just how cheap it is to build a residential wind power system? Not only are the inexpensive to build yourself, but they make a great fun weekend project and it really looks quite good on your home! Click the link above and learn more.
Tomorrow we discuss Wind turbine power ratings