Power-generating turbines have been around for longer than you think. Modern wind power for producing electricity was first used in 1887 by James Blyth for his home lighting. When it comes to power solutions for our homes or small businesses, we may have seen it all. Or have we? A circular wind turbine can deliver 2 kW of free energy to your home. This circular turbine’s design has come a long way since James Blyth’s design in 1887, and its specifications will surely turn some heads.
This is why people are turning to independent wind power for their homes
The world has been slowly transitioning to renewable energy sources as alternatives to burning fossil fuels for power production. And when we say ‘slowly,’ we mean it! Integrating renewable energy sources into national power grids is not as simple and quick as you might think.
According to the Energy Evolution Conference, the following technical and infrastructure challenges slow down integration:
- Grid modernization
- Substantial modern infrastructure upgrades are needed to manage two-way power flow and to connect remote renewables, which is expensive and takes time
- Grid stability and power quality
- Integration can result in voltage fluctuations, influence power quality, and grid inertia, and affect the overall stability of the power system
- Variability and intermittency
- Unpredictability makes it difficult to balance power production with constant, real-time demand, requiring more flexible grid operations
It is due to these technical and infrastructure challenges that many citizens are trying to decrease their dependency on national power grids. One wind turbine design could be the answer.
The circular wind turbine that will turn some heads
Two companies, EarthTronics and Honeywell Corporation, have teamed up to engineer a turbine design that will give you independence in a jiffy. This groundbreaking wind turbine will revolutionize home power, as it can operate in wind speeds as low as 2 mph. It is small, lightweight, and can be easily installed in various spaces, making your life so much easier.
The turbine is called the Honeywell Windgate wind turbine, and it has the following specifications:
- Width of 1.8m
- Weight of 43kg
- Can be installed on rooftops, walls, or mounted on a pole
- Features a gearless “free wheeling” Blade Tip Power System
- Comprises a computerized control box, a power inverter, and an interconnect switch to wire the system into a household panel
It is always recommended that a trained professional install electronics, and the Honeywell Windgate is no exception. According to New Atlas, homeowners must also ensure that they have one or more batteries for the system. EarthTronics indicated that the Honeywell Windgate can produce an annual output of 2,000 kWh, which is reportedly 15% of an average household’s power demands.
It is about so much more than just power
The Honeywell Windgate is about more than just producing power. According to EarthTronics, it has the following advantages as well:
- Quiet operation with decreased vibration
- Has reduced mechanical resistance and drag
- Requires less upkeep
- Operates in a greater wind speed range (2mph to 45mph)
- More bird-friendly
- U.S. homeowners can qualify for federal and state rebates
According to the company, its installation cost is one-third of conventional turbines and is competitive with others on the market. It will initially be sold in U.S. ACE Hardware stores for $4,500.