The leaps and bounds that renewable power technology is developing in have yielded another super practical wind turbine product for your home. As the company’s name suggests, Home Energy offers solutions for sustainable electricity generation that can be installed just feet from your door with no fuss or expertise required.
The Energy Ball generates 2,500 W right in your garden
Home Energy International is an energy company based in the Netherlands that specializes in both wind and solar energy products. Its flagship product is the Energy Ball, but don’t be fooled by the basic name. This wind turbine unit packs a punch with an output of 2,500 watts, which is a healthy capacity for a system that operates right in your garden.
Before we look at the unique spherical turbine’s specs, consider the benefits that the Energy Ball offers above those of a traditional bladed propeller turbine:
- No noise pollution: The bladed wind turbines that we’re used to generate noise due to the airflow at the end of the blades. The energy ball has a different, spherical design, which makes it silent.
- High efficiency: The Energy Ball’s aerodynamic design delivers higher energy efficiency.
- Aesthetic design: The shape and appearance of the Energy Ball make it ideally suited for placement in residential areas (much like this cutting-edge kite turbine). The design prevents a shadow as well. The Energy Ball is overall rather pleasing to the eye, making it a favourite among architects and project developers.
Battery-chargeable or grid-connected
The Energy Ball is versatile in that it can be connected to your home’s grid or be used to charge a battery. The grid version is supplied with a WindPower Inverter responsible for converting the wind energy into electricity. When you use a plug in the electric socket, you can draw the generated energy for whatever you like. When you are not drawing power, the device will cause your electricity meter to dial back.
The battery-connected version comes with a WindPower Charger. This Energy Ball converts the energy to electricity suited for charging the most common batteries.
The Energy Ball is available in 2 models: V100 and V200
The Energy Ball comes in two variations, the V100 and the V200.
Energy Ball V100
The V100 version is smaller with a diameter of 3.2 feet. It has six rotor blades and is particularly well suited to installation in residential areas. The V100 isn’t a nuisance in terms of shadow or noise, and for this reason, permits to install one near your home are generally granted faster than other kinds.
The V100 can be mounted as a freestanding unit affixed to a pole with a total height of around 32 feet to 39 feet, or affixed to a flat roof mast at a height of just under 10 feet.
The V100 reaches its maximum output at a speed of 17 meters per second, which is 550 watts. It’s capable of generating 500 kilowatt hours per year at a site with an average wind speed of seven meters per second. But to achieve this, it would be necessary to install the Energy Ball in an open location on top of a high pole.
Energy Ball V200
The larger V200 model has a wider diameter of 6.5 feet and a significantly higher power output. This version has five rotor blades and is most suited to urban areas, according to North American and EU legislation. The V200 doesn’t generate noise or shadow nuisance either, so once again, permits are generally granted faster than other comparable kinds of turbines.
The total height on a freestanding pole is between 39 and 49 feet. At a wind speed of 19 meters per second, the V200 reaches its maximum output of 2,500 watts from the WindPower Inverter. The output per year is 1,750 kilowatt hours, but it needs to be installed high in the air to achieve this.
The rapid advancements in wind power technology mean there’s an innovation in the news on a regular basis. Another home energy solution that hit the market recently is a vertical turbine you can buy online and install yourself.