Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of alternative energy in the world. More and more, wind power mills are seen in the countryside, in large wind farms and for the most part, away from city life. But a new form of wind power is now designed to work in an urban environment. VOA producer Zulima Palacio has the story. Mill Arcega narrates.
omg, no one needs to buy this kind of stuff from companies, you can build your own wind turbines, just go to home depot
Comment by JUKIO01 — June 9, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Although highly effective when used in large numbers in off-shore wind farms, they are not so well suited to domestic use.If you live in an urban location, then don’t look at wind as a renewable energy solution – it just won.t perform. To be effective, wind power needs ‘clean air’, with no obstructions, you don’t get that in built up areas.
Comment by pegobuilders — June 9, 2010 @ 4:24 pm
@Allante715
Actually, the turbines would be more reliable. When a single plant has a technical problem (and they do), it can suddenly shut off over 1GW of supply. A single turbine failing would hardly be noticed. Having the turbines in multiple locations keeps them from all losing wind at once.
Comment by jursamaj — June 9, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Authority belly. I’m convinced. (coal is concentrated sunlight)
Comment by derman077 — June 9, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
@Allante715 No question right now coal is pretty darn efficient but that’s not the point. Burning coal is bad for us and the rest of life on the planet. burning coal wouldn’t be such an issue if the world’s human population was back at the level is was only 100 years ago. Just to many people on this earth and it’s gonna get a lot worse!
Comment by heckfricker — June 9, 2010 @ 6:05 pm
I can definitely see wind power supplementing the grid but I don`t see how it can replace it.
1 Ordinary Wind Turbine – 1.5MW
1 Ordinary Coal Plant – 1300MW
1 Ordinary Nuclear Plant – 1200MW
How many wind turbines do you need to displace one coal plant?How much land does one wind turbine need? What is more reliable; 1 coal plant or 1000 wind turbines?You do the math.
Comment by Allante715 — June 9, 2010 @ 6:27 pm
@resa263 Yes, that’s a big propaganda that turbines kill a bunch of birds. I have been around literally hundreds of different turbines, windmills, home wind turbine installs or wind farms. I also have three turbines on my own property. I feed birds, have bird houses. I love birds. I never, ever, see a dead bird anywhere, it is truly a rare thing for a bird to fly into a turbine. Birds are more aware and agile, cautious, than that..
Comment by WindPowerKits — June 9, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
I like their design and reported ease of installation. The video that shows it spinning very fast is misleading since, per their specs, even their “extreme” wind version shuts down at over 37mph. It would be nice if there was one that could keep outputting more at high wind speeds which would be a great source of bonus power.
Comment by vuetube — June 9, 2010 @ 7:26 pm
could anyone please tell mw the whole dialogue or put this video with subtitles? Thank you!
Comment by knowzn — June 9, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
The best place would be chicago.
Comment by Love2792 — June 9, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
A real good idea
Comment by scheisse111 — June 9, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
Wind turbines is great as long as you live in a windy area. Other wise it will be money wasted.
Comment by southernborn1860 — June 9, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
I prefer the cilyndrical ones…..
much safer!
Good work designers!
Comment by mcrod — June 9, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
BS BS BS …. really look into VAWTs this guy is BS
Comment by CodeWarriorx0539 — June 9, 2010 @ 10:02 pm
00:32
HAH
Comment by slightlyinsaneXD — June 9, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
Is Bird Friendly because the birds can see it??
Comment by Hazader1000 — June 9, 2010 @ 10:57 pm
In part of the clip, you can see a regular horizontal axis turbine, a HAWT, turning at twice the RPM with same wind condition. That’s why the utility companies use horizontal axis turbines with propellor type blades, there is no resistance on backside. With that WindSpire, as one side catches wind, the other is resisted by same wind. That’s why so slow and low yielding.
Comment by HomeWindTurbines7 — June 9, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
I’m assuming this design of wind turbines use rising of heat convection along with the Darrieus wind turbine concept to generate electricity?
Comment by erikli99 — June 9, 2010 @ 11:39 pm
it’s pretty! I’m all for getting off the grid and doing our part for clean living and I don’t care about the global worming debate I just like doing this stuff anyways, can you believe it?
Comment by FarOutFarSpace — June 10, 2010 @ 12:23 am
Did you see the news topday saying that the plant making these WindSpires was going out of business or closing down. I guess the big government subsidies were running out or something. Look at my install of rooftop wind turbines and solar panels at my house. If you Favorite my videos or Subscribe that would be great. Thanks
Comment by WindPowerKits — June 10, 2010 @ 12:36 am
affordable is relative
Comment by JuanwiththeForce — June 10, 2010 @ 1:06 am
build them in the ocean where they be more efficient quit building them in the Allegheney mountains
Comment by WVliberty — June 10, 2010 @ 1:16 am
Wind power is the alternate source of clean energy. There are many companies who are working towards the production of clean and more affordable energy. Transformer company, Pacific Crest Transformers has articles and whitepapers on wind energy. They also provide custom-built energy efficient transformers for wind farms.
Comment by pacificcresttrans — June 10, 2010 @ 2:06 am
probably less noisy than you; and definitely more useful… pea brain.
Comment by apalsenberg — June 10, 2010 @ 2:44 am
Wind energy has great potential. Companies like Pacific Crest Transformers offer high quality energy transformers for the wind industry. They include Grounding transformers with harsh duty requirements, Wind Turbine Step-Up Transformers, Collector Step-Up Transformers, and Dynamic VAR Compensation Systems Transformers for wind energy.
Comment by pacificcresttrans — June 10, 2010 @ 3:37 am