Investing In Wind Energy

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Robillard57

New member
Apr 5, 2010
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As the energy costs are reaching unprecedented height, the world is looking towards the usage of renewable sources of energy. Alternative sources of energy include the usage of energy sources like the wind turbine, solar panel and ocean turbines. These sources produce energy that is not just renewable and inexhaustible but also that is clean, pollution free and environment friendly.

A wind turbine is a machine that collects and converts the kinetic energy of the wind into power. The turbines comprise of blades that rotate as the wind blows. When the wind blows, the blades rotate and turn a shaft that is connected to the generator. The mechanical energy is transferred into the generator through the shaft and converts the mechanical energy into electricity. This electricity can then be used in the home for any electrical need.

Wind turbines are of two types: Horizontal and vertical. Horizontal axis turbines are the more commonly used ones as compared to the vertical. With its properties, more and more investment is taking place in this sector. The future of the sector looks bright with many investors queuing for wind turbine investment, which has gone up in the recent years.
 
Hlywud

Hlywud

Gold
Jan 1, 2002
6,962
118
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Member of DR1 since 2002
www.beyondthebeach.ca
While this thread has been reported as advertising, the link might be a viable alternative for energy in the DR, so it you mught be interested have a look, if not interested then forgo clicking on the link.

We have similar projects here in Canada to develop energy from the wind with 146 wind turbines and more being erected just down the road from my residence, I have often thought that this would work well in the DR especially on the east coast.

enercon_turbine.jpg
wind-turbines.jpg
 
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PeterInBrat

Gold
May 29, 2006
10,265
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Microwind can have its place in some regions in the DR, but Richard Hanson, who pioneered small scale solar in the DR, realized that it was not as viable as small commercial solar. The potential power of a wind system is a cube of the wind speed so a tubine operating at 15km/hr generates only 1/8th the power of the same turbine operating at 30km/hr.

In most cases, to get the return on the investment on solar means the turbines have to be placed alone ridge lines or other high profile areas in order to be cost effective. Land owners can raise the price on the limited sites where wind is more viable which can hamper the return on an investment. Because these sites are not usually near developments, more investment is needed to run power lines to the users.

There are certainly some uses for wind, such as pumping water, and some other low cost systems, but it has a long way to go before it catches up to solar in the DR. I have yet to see wind power pay off in a tropical environement when put up against solar.
 
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cobraboy

cobraboy

Pro-Bono Demolition Hobbyist
Jul 24, 2004
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And even at the current high Edenorte, et al, rates, the cost per KwH is still very high...
 
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Tom F.

Bronze
Jan 1, 2002
704
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PeterInBrat said:
Microwind can have its place in some regions in the DR, but Richard Hanson, who pioneered small scale solar in the DR, realized that it was not as viable as small commercial solar. The potential power of a wind system is a cube of the wind speed so a tubine operating at 15km/hr generates only 1/8th the power of the same turbine operating at 30km/hr.

In most cases, to get the return on the investment on solar means the turbines have to be placed alone ridge lines or other high profile areas in order to be cost effective. Land owners can raise the price on the limited sites where wind is more viable which can hamper the return on an investment. Because these sites are not usually near developments, more investment is needed to run power lines to the users.

There are certainly some uses for wind, such as pumping water, and some other low cost systems, but it has a long way to go before it catches up to solar in the DR. I have yet to see wind power pay off in a tropical environement when put up against solar.
Click to expand...

Excellent post on wind. With the right location and knowledge of the system, it can work.
 
Conchman

Conchman

Silver
Jul 3, 2002
4,586
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www.oceanworld.net
I've looked into wind energy, unless you are getting huge tax incentives or government subsidies, the numbers dont' add up. Cost is over 35 US cents per KW (higher in areas where you pay import duty on equipmennt or installations near coastal areas where salty air increases costs due to salt corrosion on equipment), and you cannot store the electricity in a feasible manner.
 
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