photo: flickr.com/photos/neilsharp

For people thinking of installing domestic wind turbines, I have to tell you something important you must consider before you go any further.

A recent UK report has just changed the rules of the game by releasing some surprising findings about their effectiveness.

First the bad news: it has been found that urban areas are generally a bad place for a domestic turbine. This is because home wind generators are very sensitive to turbulence and therefore work at their optimum in open spaces i.e. away from built up areas.

Up until now, the potential of residential wind turbines in urban areas has been over estimated according to the study published by the Energy Saving Trust (EST). This explains why many city folk who’ve installed their own turbine have been disappointed by the feeble amount of electricity produced.

Now for the good news: the EST also found that home wind generators on the whole have more potential than previously thought. In the UK, a massive 800,000 homes could be powered in this way if fully exploited. This doesn’t include large scale wind farms; just small residential turbines.

As an avid enthusiast of domestic wind turbines, I was very exited by these findings. In recent years, wind power has been down played as not making economic sense. While this may be true in cities, in locations where the wind is right this simply isn’t true.

The Guardian newspaper covered the story well:-

”Generally, pole-mounted in areas of good, clean air with unobstructed air flow gave better than expected performance,” said Green. Those in the most exposed rural parts of Scotland gave the best results, generating in excess of 18,000 KWh (or £2,300 of electricity) and save 7,500kg of carbon dioxide a year.”

The full article can be found at: – http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jul/08/domestic-wind-turbines

The lesson learnt here is crucial if you want to know just how much electricity you could potentially save. Before you make up your mind whether to get a turbine or not, you first need to seek expert advice.

For UK locations, the EST have launched a wind speed prediction tool on their website: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Can-I-generate-electricity-from-the-wind-at-my-home

US residents can contact the American Wind Energy Association site: – http://www.awea.org/faq/wwt_potential.html#How%20much%20energy

Technorati Tags: DOMESTIC WIND TURBINES

Mr Sahit Muja said "China´s 1.32 billion population is a huge market for international and domestic demand for food, energy, oil, natural gas and metals. China have a strong driving demand for housing to meet the needs of 100 million people. Real estate demand in China will continue to grow because of migration of rural population to urban this will continue to drive housing demand, rather than a growing population as in countries like India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey and large parts of the Middle East. India’s population in 2010 is around 1.15 billion people. Currently, India is second largest country in the world after China in terms of population. Population of India at the time of Independence was only 350 million. Indonesia’s population is 235 million and growing. Brazil’s population is 193 million and Turkey’s population is 73 million one of fastest growing in the world".

Mr Sahit Muja said "Booming economy in China, India, Brazil, Indonesia and Turkey will help economies in The US, EU, Canada, Australia, Africa, Russia, Middle East and Latin America. From 2010 to 2015 more than 500 million new families will need new housing in the world. The 250 million new homes needed in China, India, Indonesia and Brazil. Growing economy and population will drive the demand for new roads, railways, airports, hospitals, schools. banks, infrastructure, water projects, energy projects, courts and legal system, new factories, houses, buildings, oil and natural gas refineries, power plants, wind energy turbines, solar power, cars, trucks, airplanes, ships , machinery and much more".

Mr Sahit Muja said "Growing demand for everything will create opportunity for new jobs in all sectors of economy. Agriculture sector in US and Latin America will grow as demand for food will rise. Financial, telecommunication and new technology’s sectors will continue to grow and improve driven by strong demand and competition.
The emerging global economy needs more energy, oil, natural gas, metals. cement, rubber, iron, glas, steel, copper, silver,nickel, gold, aluminum, chrome ore, wood, agricultural products, urea, phosphate and other materials".

Mr Sahit Muja said "China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Albania and Kosovo will be on my top list to have Albanian Minerals & Bytyci SHPK are joint ventures and sister companies to trade and invest in the world’s powerful emerging economies.
I have been working with partners in China, India, Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia and Albania the to move and capture the tremendous opportunity in the metal markets.
It will be perfect for any investor to invest in major industries in China, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Turkey in real estate, energy sector, food industry, tourism, IT, automobiles, cement, chemicals, consumer electronics, food processing, machinery, mining, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, steel, transportation equipment, and textiles. Textiles, jewelry, engineering goods and software , insurance sector, banking, stock markets. energy projects".

Mr Sahit Muja said "Many attractions to invest in China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, Albania and Kosovo have been well-chronicled, but they can´t be emphasized enough. The US have a huge advantage in the global marketplace. The US Government and hard working American people need to move fast to capture the tremendous opportunity in global emerging markets. Now the game rules have change in world’s markets. Is not true anymore, the big fish eat the small fish. Now in new world the fast fish will emerge as a winner in the top league of the world’s emerging economies".

I think wrong section sir.

2. A conservation easement would be best suited to offset which of the following threats to biodiversity? (Points: 3)
habitat loss

overharvesting

habitat degradation

exotic species

3. Which of the following is one of the biggest concerns about nuclear power? (Points: 3)
the radioactive waste
the explosions that could take place
the carbon dioxide released into the air by nuclear power plants
the hazardous steam from the nuclear power plants

4. Which of the following statements about wind power is correct? (Points: 3)
There are no negative effects of wind power.

Wind turbines create lots of waste, which makes them unpopular.

Wind is a nonrenewable resource.

Wind turbines may impact the migratory routes of birds.

5. Where does water that seeps into the ground collect? (Points: 3)
an aquifer

bedrock

a watershed

a divide

6. Which of the following would reduce water tables? (Points: 3)
snowmelt

overpopulation

flood

water pollution

7. Which of the following stresses would most likely cause an ecosystem to respond by succession? (Points: 3)
water pollution

urbanization

air pollution

wildfire

I don’t know.

2. A conservation easement would be best suited to offset which of the following threats to biodiversity? (Points: 3)
overharvesting
habitat degradation
exotic species
habitat loss

3. Which of the following is one of the biggest concerns about nuclear power? (Points: 3)
the hazardous steam from the nuclear power plants
the radioactive waste
the explosions that could take place
the carbon dioxide released into the air by nuclear power plants

4. Which of the following statements about wind power is correct? (Points: 3)
Wind is a nonrenewable resource.
Wind turbines may impact the migratory routes of birds.
There are no negative effects of wind power.
Wind turbines create lots of waste, which makes them unpopular.

5. Where does water that seeps into the ground collect? (Points: 3)
bedrock
a watershed
a divide
an aquifer

6. Which of the following would reduce water tables? (Points: 3)
snowmelt

overpopulation

flood

water pollution

7. Which of the following stresses would most likely cause an ecosystem to respond by succession? (Points: 3)
urbanization
air pollution
wildfire
water pollution

8. Cutting down vast tracts of rain forest may result in which of the following effects on the environment? (Points: 3)
stabilization of the soil
decrease in flooding
loss of biodiversity
increase of biodiversity

9. Which of the following is a nonrenewable resource? (Points: 3)
wind power

geothermal energy

oil

solar energy

10. How is human activity impacting biodiversity? (Points: 3)
Human activity has no impact on biodiversity.
It is impossible to tell what the impact is.
Human activity has been, on the whole, preserving biodiversity.
Human activity is causing biodiversity to decrease.

11. Why is the sun considered a renewable resource? (Points: 3)
The sun is so far away, we can’t use it all up.

The sun ’s energy doesn’t decrease significantly over time.

The sun is needed for life on earth.

The sun makes its own fuel.

12. How are natural resources classified? (Points: 3)
as naturally occurring or manufactured

as renewable or nonrenewable

as good for the environment or bad for the environment

as readily available or not

13. What is true of the supply of petroleum on the earth today? (Points: 3)
It is in limited supply.
It forms as quickly as we can use it.
It is in constant supply.
It is being replenished at a rapid rate.

14. Which of the following is a renewable resource? (Points: 3)
forests
iron ore
coal
oil

1. a or d
2. ?
3. b
4. b, but I don’t believe this to be true

enough

.

Here’s what I think:

Whilst I am sure Obama wants CLEAN, SAFE energy,
I am far from certain the people are going to get it.

There is no such thing as "safe nuclear power…"

Obama should offer incentives to industry so they develop handy, efficient alternative energy production and storage kits, using a wise combination of solar (especially for hot countries) (round cells / collectors embedded in roofs, walls… not panels) (note: solar work on day-light), wind (i.e. mini-turbines, with paddles, not blades), and water power (EG. water wheels fitted in mains pipes) – there is plenty of profit to be made selling these and the savings made by not investing in a new grid will more than cover incentive payments.

This way, domestic and business users will be self-sufficient and the USA will have Energy Security i.e. nobody will suffer power cuts
EG. during ice storms, flooding…

Investment in solar technology really needs to be stepped up hugely.
If we find the perfect way to a) create light b) use photons to generate electricity c) store that power – all our transport needs will be solved.

That energy source could also take us to Mars and beyond.
So instead of politicians concentrating on how to keep fossil-fuel suppliers in the money, and protecting that, whilst ignoring market needs, Obama should prepare the USA
(and the rest of the world)
for the new generation of transport which does not require the carrying of flammable / explosive fuel, which is very heavy…

(More FREE info. my website: http://www.the-alternative.org.uk Chapter 6:Energy / Alternative)

http://www.physorg.com/news111670954.html

E.F.Hutton: I strongly disagree with your answer. We do get electricity from light – that is how solar works.
And I repeat, nuclear power is NOT safe. "If the public knew the facts and if they were allowed to chose between nuclear power stations and candles, they would chose candles."

I really disagree with the above poster. It’s always productive to search and try new methods to solving our problems. It’s how science works. We may invest a great deal of time and effort into a single promising approach only to have it fail in the end. But then we’d know more and can better prepare a new one.

My only complaint is that Obama seems determined for our renewable energy sources to be developed here. There are actually two very promising energy plans being done in the UK and Canada atm. One involves tides and the other man made tornadoes. It made not be made in America but good ideas are good ideas regardless of where they come from.

Fuels for cars do need to be reliable and rather set as they require massive amounts of infrastructure. But what the above poster fails at realizing is that what is needed is a better way to produce electricity. If we can do that in a cleaner fashion it’s much easier to make use of cars that can use existing and proven technology.

At the end of this week Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska proposed a new comprehensive energy plan for Alaska – calling for 50% of the state to be on renewable energy by 2024 – and cutting all domestic diesel generation of electricity in outlying villages and communities by half. Currently, 24% of all Alaskan power is already renewable – 90% with hydro electric and 10% wind turbines.

Several non-profit enviromental groups that traditionally have never gotten along with Palin or the state of Alaska have reviewed the plan – saying it is a totally remarkable document and a plan with goals possible to acheive. Claiming it is a landmark decision for the state to assume a front runner role in renewable energy – it cleary puts Alaska at the head of the renewable energy frontier.

For the United States of America this is really big news – currently Germany and Japan have been the leaders in non-fossile fuel development and implementation. Alaska has the financial reserves and backbone to pull this off on thier own without need of federal aid – this could bring the USA back into the lime light for this advancing technology. This is really good news.

Why no mention of this on CNN or MSNBC? What does this say about our main stream news media when they cannot bring themselves to say something good about someone who they once opposed? This is scary – what else have they not reported because it might make them look bad??

"But, it ain’t the job of politicians to inform you. It IS the job of the media, but their central concern is to sell you, and therefore they don’t want to upset you. Their primary responsibility is NOT to their readers, but to the owners, or the stockholders. And it is the interests of the military-industrial- complex that millions REMAIN uninformed and misinformed about…." by Mumea Abul Jamal

…"EVERYTHING!"… *added by gizzard girl

1. What is the most common use of water in the United States? (Points: 3)
domestic use

agriculture

power plants

industry

2. A conservation easement would be best suited to offset which of the following threats to biodiversity? (Points: 3)
habitat loss

overharvesting

habitat degradation

exotic species

3. Which of the following is one of the biggest concerns about nuclear power? (Points: 3)
the radioactive waste
the explosions that could take place
the carbon dioxide released into the air by nuclear power plants
the hazardous steam from the nuclear power plants

4. Which of the following statements about wind power is correct? (Points: 3)
There are no negative effects of wind power.

Wind turbines create lots of waste, which makes them unpopular.

Wind is a nonrenewable resource.

Wind turbines may impact the migratory routes of birds.

5. Where does water that seeps into the ground collect? (Points: 3)
an aquifer

bedrock

a watershed

a divide

6. Which of the following would reduce water tables? (Points: 3)
flood
water pollution
snowmelt
overpopulation

7. Which of the following stresses would most likely cause an ecosystem to respond by succession? (Points: 3)
water pollution

urbanization

air pollution

wildfire

8. Cutting down vast tracks of rain forest may result in which of the following effects on the environment? (Points: 3)
loss of biodiversity

increase of biodiversity

stabilization of the soil

decrease in flooding

9. Which of the following is a nonrenewable resource? (Points: 3)
wind power

geothermal energy

oil

solar energy

10. How is human activity impacting biodiversity? (Points: 3)
Human activity has been, on the whole, preserving biodiversity.

Human activity is causing biodiversity to decrease.

Human activity has no impact on biodiversity.

It is impossible to tell what the impact is.

11. Why is the sun considered a renewable resource? (Points: 3)
The sun is needed for life on earth.
The sun makes its own fuel.
The sun is so far away that, we can’t use up all its energy.
The sun’s energy doesn’t decrease significantly over time.

12. How are natural resources classified? (Points: 3)
as good for the environment or bad for the environment
as readily available or not
as naturally occurring or manufactured
as renewable or nonrenewable

13. What is true of the supply of petroleum on the earth today? (Points: 3)
It is being replenished at a rapid rate.

It is in limited supply.

It forms as quickly as we can use it.

It is in constant supply.

14. Which of the following is a renewable resource? (Points: 3)
oil
forests
iron ore
coal

1: power plants
2: habitat loss
3: radioactive waste
4: wind turbines may impact the migratory routes of birds
5: an aquifer
6: overpopulation
7: wildfire
8: loss of biodiversity
9: oil
10: human activity is causing biodiversity to decrease
11: the sun’s energy doesn’t decrease significantly over time
12: renewable or nonrenewable
13: limited supply
14: forests

Do you do k12? I just did a quiz that was exactly like that one.

see http://www.windfinder.com/windstats/windstatistic_humberside.htm

actual windspeed will depend on just how sheltered your individual location is and also the hub height.

Not certain where the sensor is for the above – if you are in Easington you will of course benefit from the sea breeze factor