by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
Small wind wind turbines that, primarily, create 12 volt direct current to be, where needed, inverted to so-called mains voltage, e.g. 240V AC in the UK, 220V AC in Europe and 117V AC in the United States, in my opinion, is the way forward for many homes.
While this is especially true for properties in the more rural settings and (very) detached homes, though it can also, I am sure, be used elsewhere and not just in rural areas settings and such like.
Nowadays with most of our appliances in fact running a low direct current voltage of 12 volts or even below there is therefore no need, theoretically, to still have the 240V AC current that is the standard supply in British homes or the 220V AC in Europe, etc.
Low voltage lighting, especially of he LED kind, is a possibility for sure and this all could so much reduce our energy consumption, as would be low voltage halogen lighting, for instance.
In some places and homes a hybrid system, maybe, would be what might be called for and what could be used in that some appliances such as electric hobs, kettles and such are on mains voltage and most do not function well on low ones. In this case a home might have two different ring mains; one for low voltage from the renewable sources, and one for the mains voltage. The latter would mean purchasing still some electricity from the grid.
This is hardly rocket science and I am sure that this could benefit the user and the environment. I am, however, equally sure that it will be an uphill struggle for the established lobbies will fight this tooth and nail.
The problems we are still being faced with in this is that, the UK, for example, despite supposedly meant to allow wind and solar power installation, most councils create artificial barriers in their planning rules, often using the aesthetics as an excuse for denying people the right – as it is now supposed to be – to put up (small) wind turbines and/or solar voltaics and solar water heating on their homes, and such.
Rather narrow minded this is but such is the problem with most local councils and county councils, the average age of whose councilors seems to be about 65+ and who are people who are stuck in a micro politics time warp.
Generating any substantial AC voltage and amperage, especially in the 220/240V AC category, small turbines would no longer be that small and would also need a substantial wind speed and they need to be much more expensive that those that just do the 12V DC. However, as long as storage batteries, if in an ordinary house or smallholding or such, are big enough (as regards amperage) then inverting to mains voltage is feasible for some appliances.
Small wind is possible and should become standard with a lighting and small appliance circuit in 12V DC in the home and another one for mains voltage, from the grid or generator.
I am not a wind energy technician so I am just speaking my own thoughts here, some of which, as in ideas, are in use in other places and countries already. We tend to lag behind in Britain and the USA in such matters often. In the US, however, there was wind generating of electricity around in this small scale use already many years ago though it got dropped again in many cases.
Also I am not an electrician or an electrical technician but I am sure that it all could be made too work and that with little effort even if we would but be really serious about it. As far as our governments are concerned I doubt that really.
So, in lieu of them doing anything about it is is down to individuals, community and business to do it.
© 2009
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Small Wind, The Way Forward!
