I have always been fascinated with wind turbines. However, I only thought there was only one kind of turbine. Horizontal. To my surprise, I discovered Belgium based Gual Industrie StatoEolien Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine, which created a vertical wind turbine. Interestingly, the Company claims its vertical wind turbine is thirty percent more efficient than a horizontal turbine. Their product is able to create energy utilizing the wind streams differently than the horizontal wind turbines. In addition, it fits on top of your house.
Gual installed its prototypic product in 2004, and has two models with dimensions in meters. (A meter is a little bigger than a yard.) The G4 unit is 4 meters in diameter and 1.5 meters in height. The bigger G8 model is 8 meters in diameter and 3 meters in height.
I have been interested in wind turbines for some time since my own house sits on top of a hill. In the winter, there is so much wind that I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz when I venture outside. However, my town has a height restriction for structures.
In order to install a 10K system, Bergey, a leading manufacturer of residential horizontal wind turbines recommends that the tower should be at least 80 feet high. In addition, it recommended that a homeowner should have at least one acre of land so there is no dispute with your neighbors as to the turbine’s noise. Given height restrictions in towns today, a homeowner would have to obtain a variance and the town may deny it. In this case, Gual’s vertical solution may be the answer for many residential landowners.
Notably, Gual claims that their vertical wind turbine is not noisy. In addition, height would not be a deterrent. Judging by the dimensions provided by the Company for the G4, the turbine will only add about 5 feet to the height of your structure. If you want to see what the vertical wind turbine look like on top of a house, visit Gual’s site and download the videos. To be honest, the turbine is not the prettiest structure, and a typical homeowner may not want this turbine on their house.
For more information about this Gual product see here or the Company’s english site.
wind power generators says
October 29, 2008 at 12:40 pmIt’s wonderful to see what unique designs people are coming up with especially since T. Boone Pickens has thrown his weight behind the wind energy movement.
vertical axis wind turbines | Solar Power Generators says
April 24, 2009 at 7:35 amResidential solar power generators are becoming more and more popular. As individuals struggle to pay their energy bills, the need for alternative energy and fuels are real. Some people are taking it upon themselves to lower their monthly electricity bills and are using alternative means to do so. These devices use the sun to create electricity for one’s home. This typically takes the form of solar panels or some other types of power systems. But they all use the sun which is a natural and free resource. The energy that is created is used to fuel all sorts of things such as one’s appliances and other equipment, essentially anything that runs on traditional fuels.
Vertical wind turbine says
June 24, 2009 at 2:41 amHorizontal wind turbines are larger and hence, more useful in rural areas with open spaces. If you are living in an urban or suburban area, you will want to opt for the vertical wind turbine. In fact, vertical wind turbines were specifically designed to address the unique issues associated with electricity production in urban or suburban settings where horizontal winds become vertical when encountering the face of a building. The helical shaped blades of the vertical wind turbine can make use of horizontal or vertical wind bursts blowing in from any direction.
johan tekila says
September 10, 2009 at 10:16 pmNice article you posted . Congratulation to decide going green and clean. We also preserve nature and save money by using free cost wind energy and that was by the help provided in: http://www.windpowercost.org Thanks for your post.
Sandra Coyott says
September 14, 2009 at 8:52 pmA small windmill can generate enough electricity to supply a single home or small business. The amount of power generated depends on wind activity and the length of the blades, but at the very least a windmill can help to reduce power costs.
Did you just decide to go green and begin to generate your own power? Or at least try to? You are like many other people, today people want to help out the environment and save as much of its precious resources as possible.
* Have doubts that you will be able to complete a power wind system? Well find Out the Facts about Wind Power.
* Yes! Wind Turbines and the whole going Green can seem overwhelming… It’s easier than you think . . . if you know what to do.
* Myth #1 Wind turbines are very noisy. This is not true at all. In fact wind turbines are very quiet. Refrigerator may make more noise !
* Myth #2 Your Wind Turbine will affect your television.. This is not true as well. You will be an expert in no time, not to mention watching your favorite TV. show.
* Myth #3 Wind Turbines don’t really produce enough power. In fact Wind Turbines can produce upwards of 85% power 24/7. Not even your power company produces 100% of power 24 hours a day. All that you can learn it in : http://windpowercost.org
.-= Sandra Coyott´s last blog ..Home Wind Power- Know the Facts! =-.
Green Talk says
September 14, 2009 at 11:20 pmSandra, what is your feeling about them being on your house (horizontal ones) What are your thoughts about vertical wind mills especially regarding efficiency? Anna