Is Wind Power a real solution for residential projects?
Written by Blue Alternative - An Authorized Tangarie Distributor
As we reflect on another year, many businesses have been affected by Economy and the world events. This has created uncertainty, but in some ways it has sparked a new revolution in green thinking.
At the end of 2008, Affiniti Architects, had encountered uncertainty in the market as well and realized that we were not going to sit back and choose to look forward by designing several new project types that look at sustainability and green technologies.
One of the technologies that impressed us was the Vertical Axis Wind Turbines or VAWT’s. These types of small wind turbines are easy to integrate into different types of Architecture. VAWT’s provide clean, green, quiet, and discreet power solutions ranging from 1 kW to 15kW increments. They are sized based on your local wind speed charts which can be obtained from local airports. The sizing is similar to standard generator except they run “on the wind”.
They can be painted any color or even silk screened to look like a Coconut palm.
By designing them into rooftops, chimneys or pole mounts, most can be kept under 35’ which meets most residential zoning requirements. They are attractive and unlike the traditional Horizontal axis type turbines, “very quiet” and Attractive, in fact they are never louder than the wind itself.
Now, back to our quest to not sit still, Affiniti designed a small sustainable Net Zero community which mandated that every home produce as much power as it consumes. This idea called “Net Zero Energy” is derived from the fact that the homeowners electric meter will stand still because we are making more power than we consume or use. Another idea is “Net Metering” which actually allows one to turn the electric meter backwards! Amazing…By incorporating these wind turbines at entry elements or towers we can make not only a green statement but an architecturally significant feature to the home- Almost sculptural for art sake....
Another major feature of these turbines is that they start making power at wind speeds of 5 mph, so many areas can use these products. Coastal areas obviously benefit from the constant sea breezes and rest assured the turbines are made to withstand the harshest salt or wind that Mother Nature can throw at them. The VAWT’s are rated to withstand 150 mph wind loading. Go to Tangarie Alternative Power for more information or www.tangarie.com . Pricing on these units range from $ 5 per watt of power to $12 per watt depending on the type installation and existing conditions. The bottom line is that these units do have payback in 7 -10 years depending on how much wind you have on site. In addition, these vertical wind turbines will easily last 20-25 years, so you could potentially be making power for 15 to 18 years after the payback with no electric bill. Nice…
The power from these cool turbines can be hooked up directly to the grid power with an inverter and or directly to a Large UPS or battery backup system that acts as a silent generator- free from fumes, gas costs or maintenance issues
The first turbine of this type will be installed at the beginning of 2010 at the Miami Science Museum. Contact www.bluealternativeenergy.com for more information on this project. Affiniti Architects continues to work with local innovative firms to be able to integrate the new and upcoming technologies.
If we are going to be more a more responsible and sustainable generation, then we must look at green technologies and as architects we must be able to integrate these ideas and make them a reality for clients to use and appreciate them in a fast and ever changing world….