In other words, it is feasible for Europe to generate three times as much power as it needs by the year 2020.

The study confirmed that wind energy, if so desired, can play a major role in achieving the European energy targets and that there are extensive wind energy resources in Europe. The report, called ”Europe’s Onshore And Offshore Wind Energy Potential”, shows that wind energy potential is massive, and really capable of creating almost 20 times the energy demand in 2020.

Potential inland wind energy locations are concentrated in agricultural and industrial areas in northwestern Europe. In addition, the largest offshore potential can be found in areas in the North Sea, the Baltic seas and the Atlantic Ocean, with even some opportunities in areas of the Mediterranean and the Black Sea’s.

Europeans could put wind generators further offshore, but due to the significantly greater costs it is unlikely that they will go too far offshore. The deep offshore potential is unlikely to contribute in any significant way to the energy mix within the time frame of the study.

Areas of high wind speeds that will best accommodate wind turbines will require major changes to the grid system to accommodate the distribution of all of this newly generated power. Congestion and overloading would otherwise be a problem.

The conclusions were welcomed by the European Wind Energy Association. They said, “The EEA clearly recognizes that wind power will be key to Europe’s energy future. Now that oil prices are again on the rise, the EEA report sends a reminder to Europe’s policy makers that wind power is a clean and proven energy technology and Europe is the world leader.”

Things look promising.

A wind turbine, which is usually installed at the top of a tower, collects energy from the wind and converts it to electricity.

In other words, the wind spins the propeller which is attached to a generator. As the generator spins, it produces electricity. Depending on the generator, the electricity that is produced may or may not be compatible with your existing 120 V AC system. Many times, especially with homemade units, the generator will produce 12 VDC.

In a typical residential application, the home will use power from the wind turbine and the local utility at the same time. If the wind is blowing above what is known as “cut-in” speed, then the generator is spinning fast enough to produce electricity for the home.

If the wind is not blowing fast enough to turn the propeller, then all of the homes electrical needs are supplied by the utility company.

Typically, this is done automatically. You don’t have to run out and flip a switch when the wind starts to blow or when it stops to blow.

At the current prices of wind generators, it would be difficult to economically justify purchasing a wind generator that supplies 100% of the homes needs, even if the wind is blowing hard.

What Is The Cost Savings?

A wind turbine can lower your electrical bill buy as much as 90%. However in reality, savings of 30% or more realistic. It depends on the part of the country in which you live, much like solar power.

Look at the climate in your area regarding the average wind speed. You can get a pretty good idea of how cost-effective your wind turbine will be, based on this data.

What Size Turbine Is Best For My Needs?

The average home uses approximately 9000 kWh for electricity every year. That works out to about 760 kWh per month. Again, depending on the average wind speed in your area, a turbine rated in the range of 6-12 kW would be required to make a decent contribution to meet this demand.

Should I Consider Buying A Wind Turbine?

This certainly depends on where you are.

Some residential wind turbines can be pretty large and may not be suitable for urban or suburban homes. You may have HOA considerations.

However, as turbines become smaller and more effective, there may be a viable solution available for your home.

How Will Wind Turbines Help The Environment?

Wind turbines produce very little pollution and by using wind power you can offset pollution that would have been generated by your utility company. Over the life of a wind turbine, a small residential unit can offset approximately 1.1 tons of air pollutants.

Don’t I Have To Take Wind Measurements For A Year?

For most residential systems the cost of taking wind measurements is not justified. Wind resource data published by the U.S. Department of Energy is sufficient for an experienced evaluator to predict wind turbine performance. In very hilly or mountainous areas, however, it may be best to collect wind data before purchasing a system to ensure that your site is not in a sheltered area.

Will My Utility Allow Me To Hook Up A Wind Generator?

Current federal regulations require utilities to connect with and purchased power from small, that is less than 80 MW, wind energy systems.

Of course, the best way to find out the answer to this question is to simply call your utility company.

Will I Have To Change The Wiring In My House?

You won’t have to change any of the existing wiring, but you might want to add an extra breaker panel as part of the wind turbine system.

Do I Have To Install A Tower?

Usually, an 80 foot or higher tower is supplied with commercial wind turbines However, the choice is yours. The higher the better.

How Much Does A Wind Generator System Cost?

Commercial wind turbines can cost anywhere from $5000-$20,000 depending on the size, application and service agreements that may have been made with the manufacturer.

How Much Maintenance Is Required For A Wind Turbine?

Most wind turbines have very few moving parts and do not require any regular maintenance, as they are designed for a life span of up to 20 years.

Is A Wind Turbine A Good Investment?

Most commercial wind systems will read who their investments through utility savings within eight years. This varies on local conditions, the cost of local electricity and the initial price of the wind turbine.