Cost Wind Energy Solar Power Energy
Generation Guide
Cost Wind Energy Ratio Improving With New Technology
By J K Hellios
It might sound strange to talk about the cost wind
energy ratio, considering wind energy is essentially
free for the taking. This energy arrives every day,
in some form or another, thanks to the heating of the
earth’s surface from the sun. As the sun bounces off
the uneven surface of the earth, air streams move between
cooler and hotter regions, creating turbine wind energy
from the wind blowing the turbine blades.
Initially, the generators wind power of the 1980s cost
a high 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, but over the past
few decades, the average wind power cost is 5 cents
per kilowatt hour, making it competitive with the traditional
electricity grid system.
Cost Of Fossil Fuels Will Continue To Increase
Researchers posit that, over the next ten years, the
cost of fossil fuels will soon increase due to limited
supplies and the cost of alternative wind energy will
decrease to as low as 3.5 cents, due to better technology
and more available wind farms.
Wind speed is one factor for cost wind energy figures.
For instance, one 51 mega-watt wind farm has wind speeds
of 7.15 miles per hour blowing through the turbine wind
energy blades at a cost of 6 cents per kilowatt hour.
At a comparable farm with wind speeds of 9.32 miles
per hour, the cost is only 26 cents per kilowatt hour.
Size Of The Wind Farm Does Matter
The size of the local wind farm affects the price.
For instance, the average 3 mega-watt farm delivers
electricity at 59 cents per kilowatt hour, whereas a
51 mega-watt farm delivers it at just 36 cents per kilowatt
hour, at a 40% decrease.
The cost wind energy estimates for commercial-scale
wind turbines are still somewhat discouraging. Though
they depend upon finance charges, purchase agreement,
contractors, wind purchase design and location, the
average price for a turbine wind energy project was
between $1.2 million and $2.6 million per mega-watt
in 2007.
Keeping Prices Lower WIth Larger Wind Power Plants
Most commercial-scale turbines were 2 mega-watts in
size and cost $3.5 million to install. Some of the smaller
farm or residential scale wind turbines at less than
100 kilowatts can cost between $3,000 and $5,000, so
a 10 kilowatt machine needed to power an entire house
would go from $35,000 to $50,000. However, federal and
state government grants can pay for as much as 35% of
the total purchase cost each.
Therefore, the ideal cost wind energy farm will have
winds blowing at least 5 miles per hour at rates as
low as 5 cents per kilowatt hour. The plant wind power
will be emanating from a 50 MW power plant to keep output
good and prices low. For residential alternative wind
energy, there should be winds of at least 10 miles per
hour to ensure the homeowner gets the most from his
or her system.
Most homeowners taking advantage of wind power normally
pay 10 cents or higher for their electricity, so they
notice a substantial change in their monthly bills and
have a system that pays for itself fairly quickly. While
residential wind turbines have been installed in 47/50
states, the highest concentrations are located in the
northeast and midwest.
About the Author:
J K Hellios has written a number of articles on solar
power and renewable energy including Solar
Powered Homes, Solar
Powered Lights, Solar Powered
Cars.
Keep a lookout for more articles available on this website
soon.
Little Known Wind Power Facts.....
Wind energy has become a topic for debate. Though it
costs quite a lot to initially set up the wind farms
to power homes and businesses, in the long run it begins
to pay off.
Many cities and countries around the globe are looking
at ways they can help the Earth’s environment and using
the wind is one of the best answers besides solar power.
Fossil fuels cannot be relied upon for future use for
heating and cooling your home. It is time to start thinking
about using the wind as a source of energy.
RECOMMENDED READING
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © 2007
- 2010 Solar Power Energy Generation, All Rights
Reserved |
|
