Wind Power Generation
www.WindPowerGeneration.com

The Ultimate Online Resource for 
Renewable Energy Project Development

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2-Bladed Wind Turbines are Inefficient and Defective

Compared to 

3-Bladed Wind Turbines

Out-dated, Inefficient 2-Bladed Wind Turbines Are "Extinct." 

Why 3-Bladed Wind Turbine Generators are Far Superior and More Efficient than 2-Bladed Wind Turbines

The argument has been settled and the debate is over. 

Today's "modern" 3-bladed wind turbines represent the latest technological improvements in wind turbine generators, and are superior to the 20-30 year old technology that 2-bladed wind turbines represent.

First of all, it is important to remember that 2-bladed wind turbines may generate only about 90% of the power of a 3-bladed wind turbine of comparable size.  While a 2-bladed wind turbine saves the weight of one extra blade when compared with a 3-bladed wind turbine, engineers of the most efficient wind turbines have determined that the extra blade used on 3 bladed wind turbines provide the optimum wind turbine efficiency and wind turbine design for the "ideal" wind turbine generators of today.  

Secondly, the top-3 leading wind turbine manufacturers have standardized on the 3-bladed wind turbine.  They do not manufacture any 2-bladed wind turbines.  Plainly stated, a wind turbine with an even number of blades (2 blades or 4 blades) are NOT of optimum design or efficiency. In fact, this debate was settled years ago when the wind turbine engineers and designers began building wind turbines over 600 kW in power output.

The leading wind turbine manufacturers and their engineers have decided that 3 bladed wind turbines are the optimum number of wind turbine blades due to the stability of the wind turbine as well as the significant wind loads and stresses placed on a 2-bladed wind turbine.  A wind turbine that has an odd number of blades is similar to a disc when calculating the computational fluid dynamics of the wind turbine.  Engineers have learned that wind turbines that have an even number of blades - such as the 2 bladed wind turbines of the past - have stability problems for a machine with a stiff structure. The reason for this problem is simple, engineers recognized that when a 2-bladed wind turbine's top blade bends backwards - when the wind turbine's 2 blades are in the vertical position - since it is now generating the maximum power from the wind - that the lower or bottom blade is now aligned with the tower and the blade is hidden or blocked from the wind - and this generates a huge amount of stress and loads on the wind turbine and its' primary components such as the bearings, shaft, transmission etc.

Because of the extreme wind loads and stresses placed on 2-bladed wind turbines, the remaining 2-bladed wind turbine manufacturers have had to resort to a "teetered hub" that helps remove some of the stress and loads placed on 2-bladed wind turbines. While there are some very fine 2-bladed wind turbines, of smaller power output, the bottom line is, 3 bladed wind turbines are inherently better and more efficient than 2-bladed wind turbines.

For these reasons, community wind farm owners and developers, along with utility-scale wind farm owners and developers, would be wise to only consider 3-bladed wind turbines. 

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Solar Trigeneration^sm
www.SolarTrigeneration.com

We Do Solar Right^sm

We install our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems, for qualified commercial businesses, as well as  cities, schools and government facilities with our Zero Up-front Cost program.

For some customers - based on their present location, utility company and electric rate - we are able to reduce their electric rate by 10%. Even more for other customers.  Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy System!

We provide the answers to your questions about solar power and energy!

Does your; business, city, school, or electric utility want a more sustainable solar power and energy solution?

Are you interested in transforming your facility, campus or building(s) to "Net Zero Energy" buildings?

Does your city or school have a problem with rising electricity and energy expenses, but not have the financial resources to provide the necessary updates and upgrades to make your buildings more efficient?

Maybe you have already decided to go solar, but you have a lot of questions, and don't know where to start.  Call us, we have the answers to your solar questions.

What is the optimum solar solution?  There are hundreds of companies in the solar power and energy industry.....  Who do you call to help you with these questions to help you make the right decisions?

There's still more questions, that you may not have thought about..... which solar technology do you go with, and what is the return on investment? 

Are there any solar rebates, refunds, tax credits or other incentives available?

What about investors that might be interested in owning/operating and maintaining our solar energy system under a Power Purchase Agreement?

You have numerous questions and need the answers to help in the decision-making process regarding the solar power and energy system you want to install.  These decisions will have a long-lasting impact as the solar energy system that you install at your business or facility will probably be generating clean power for the next 40 to 50 years, if not longer!  So, the decisions that you need to make now regarding your solar energy system will be a decision that will be either a long-term asset or a liability, depending on the equipment you select and who you choose to install it. 

We can help cities, schools and commercial (and large residential) customers make the switch to solar!

And now, with our no up-front cost for our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy System, we can also transform your building(s) to a "Net Zero Energy Building" and many times, actually REDUCE your present energy expenses by 10%, and possibly more!

Examples of buildings/facilities where our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems would benefit, include; universities, churches, data centers, shopping centers, schools, radio/television stations, food processing, warehouses, new real estate developments and subdivisions, and electric utilities - practically any commercial facility can be upgraded to one of our "pollution free power" systems featuring one of our solar energy systems,  including our Solar Trigeneration^sm system!

Call or email us, we can provide these answers. We are focused on providing the optimum solar energy systems for our clients. This begins with an initial review of your past 12 months energy/electrical bills. The next step would include a site visit which may include a Demand Side Management study and/or a Solar Feasibility Study which determines the optimum solar energy system for your facility or location.  Once the optimum solar solution(s) are determined, we then have a blueprint to proceed that could include our installing one of our Solar Cogeneration or Solar Trigeneration^sm energy systems.  Or for a city, real estate development or subdivision, or an electric utility, one of our utility scale power plants which might be a Concentrating Photovoltaic, Concentrating Solar Power or High Concentration Photovoltaic power plants.

What is "Net Zero Energy^sm?"

Net Zero Energy^sm - when applied to a home or commercial building, simply means that the home or buildings generates as much power and energy as they consume, when measured on a monthly or annual basis, and with an onsite, renewable energy system, such as our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy System. 

What is a Net Zero Energy Building^sm?

A Net Zero Energy Building^sm produces as much energy as it uses over the course of a year. Net Zero Energy Buildings^sm are very energy efficient. The remaining low energy needs are typically met with on-site renewable energy. 

First of all, understand that there is no such thing as a "zero energy building!" EVERY building uses energy, or you may as well be in a cave!

The important considerations are, 

1.  How efficient is the building?  

2.  How much energy does the building use, and how efficiently is it used?  

3.  How much "carbon free energy" or "pollution free power" is generated by the buildings' own onsite renewable energy system?

4.  What are the utility company's prices for the excess power generated and sent to the grid? 
(see: Net Energy Metering)

5.  How difficult is it to interconnect the renewable energy system of the building with the utility company's powerlines/electric grid?   

At the heart of a Net Zero Energy Building^sm is the idea that any building can meet its energy requirements from low-cost, locally available, nonpolluting, renewable sources, like our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems. Our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems are the idea whose time has come, to make Net Zero Energy Buildings^sm commonplace.

Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems Provide All of the Cooling, Heating & Power, for Any Size Building, with only the Energy of the Sun. Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy Systems Provide Simultaneous  Cooling, Heating & Power whether it is 12 Noon, or 12 Midnight,  and can do so, WITHOUT Connection to the electric grid!

The Diagram Below Shows How Our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy System Works, 
for Heating and Cooling a Building (next to the Solar Thermal Collectors, are the PV Panels, that generate the Electricity).

Our Solar Trigeneration^sm Energy System
provides "Cooling, Heating & Power" for your business,
or home with the free energy of the sun!

What is Net Energy Metering?

Net energy metering is used to measure a customer's total electric consumption against that customer's total on-site electric generation.  When a customer's onsite generation of power exceeds the amount that they use, the customer's solar energy system (or other renewable energy system) exports the extra electricity to the grid.  When the power requirements of the customer exceeds their onsite generation of power, the customer imports the electricity they need from electric grid. The customer pays the electric company for any extra power they use over the amount they generate - OR -  the customer receives a credit or refund from the electric company if they exported more power to the grid, than what they consumed.  

Renewable Energy Is Necessary for Net Zero Energy Buildings

Much focus is placed on energy efficiency as the most cost-effective way to reduce energy use in commercial buildings. However, consumption can be reduced only so much. There is a point at which the cost of adding efficiency measures is higher than that of using renewable energy such as thin film photovoltaics and other solar energy systems. 

Aggressive energy efficiency strategies can reduce a building's energy consumption by 50% to 70%. Renewable energy technologies must be used to reach the goal of a net-zero energy building (NZEB).

Supply-Side Technologies

Various supply-side renewable energy technologies are available for Net Zero Energy Buildings. Supply-side technologies, often called energy producers, collect natural energy and transform it into a useful form. Examples of these technologies include PV, solar hot water, wind, hydroelectric, and biofuels.

Ranking of Energy Options

All renewable sources are favorable over conventional energy sources such as coal and natural gas; however, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends the following ranking for these options (the lower numbers are preferable):

This hierarchy is weighted toward renewable technologies within the building footprint and site. Rooftop PV and solar water heating are the most applicable supply-side technologies for Net Zero Energy Buildings. Other supply-side technologies such as parking lot-based wind or solar energy systems may be available.

The goal in developing the ranking was to encourage technologies that:

• Minimize overall environmental impact by encouraging energy-efficient building designs and reducing transportation and conversion losses

• Will be available over the lifetime of the building

• Are widely available and have high replication potential for future Net Zero Energy Buildings.

Solar Trigeneration^sm
www.SolarTrigeneration.com

Now, Your Business Can Have Our Solar Trigeneration 
Energy System, installed for No Up-Front Costs!

Through an affiliated partner company, we are now installing our Solar Trigeneration Energy Systems, for qualified commercial businesses, nationwide, with Zero up-front costs.

Some customers may even see a decrease in their energy expenses by as much as 10% to 20% with our Zero up-front cost Solar Trigeneration Energy System!

To qualify for our no up-front cost Solar Trigeneration Energy Systems, businesses must:

• Have a good credit rating

• Agree to buy all of the energy generated from the Solar Trigeneration Energy System through a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement

• Other conditions may apply, depending on location, state or utility company you are presently buying power from.

We expect ALL of our customers will be very happy knowing that the clean, green, renewable power they are using is: 

• More reliable than the electricity from the power company.

• Saving the environment by reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and helping reverse Climate Change and Global Warming.

• Generated from their own reliable Solar Power System on their roofs.

• Saving Money!  At today's published electric rates at Southern California Edison, TXU, Reliant and Centerpoint, most of our customers will also enjoy a SAVINGS on their present electric bills by as much as 10% from what they are now paying for their electricity from the electric utility.

• Under warranty.

• At the end of the Power Purchase Agreement, the Solar Trigeneration™ Energy System is then offered for sale to our customers, for $1.00.  And then their energy savings really start to add up as the power and electricity generated from their Solar Trigeneration™ Energy System is free!

Our "Solar Trigeneration^sm" Power and Energy Systems
Generate Carbon Free Energy and Pollution Free Power
Which is Sustainable, Clean, Renewable and Affordable

Solar Energy Systems provides cooler, cleaner, greener power and energy project development services.  Our Solar Energy Systems are an environmentally-friendly and economically-superior choice to expensive natural gas and electricity. Additionally, our renewable energy technologies generate "green tags" or a Renewable Energy Credit.  

We provide Solar Power and Energy systems that we refer to as "EcoGeneration" solutions that produce cooler, cleaner, greener power and energy for our customers and our environment. Unlike most companies, we are equipment supplier/vendor neutral. This means we help our clients select the best equipment for their specific application. This approach provides our customers with superior performance, decreased operating expenses and increased return on investment. 

Our company provides turn-key project solutions that include all or part of the following: 

• Engineering and Economic Feasibility Studies 

• Project Design, Engineering & Permitting

• Project Construction

• Project Funding & Financing Options

• Shared/Guaranteed Savings program with no capital requirements. 

• Project Commissioning 

• Operations & Maintenance 

• Green Tag/Renewable Energy Credit Application, and Marketing

Net Zero Energy Buildings^sm
www.NetZeroEnergyBuildings.com

The Audubon Nature Center Installs Solar Trigeneration  System
Making this one of the World's First "Net Zero Energy Buildings"
at Their New Facility in Los Angeles, California

NO CONNECTION TO THE ELECTRIC UTILITY!

The Solar Trigeneration  Provides All of their Facility's (5000 sq.ft.)
Cooling, Heating and Power Requirements - at 12 noon or 12 midnite,
WITHOUT ANY CONNECTION to the Electric Utility
with our Solar Trigeneration Energy System!  

The Sun Powers the Audubon Nature Center's Solar Trigeneration  
System at Debs Park in Los Angeles. The Audubon Nature Center's 
building is one of the world's first "Net Zero Energy Buildings." 

The Solar Trigeneration System Consists of a 10 Ton "Solar 
Absorption Cooling" System Matched with a Solar Electric Power System

By:  Monty Goodell, MBA
www.SolarTrigeneration.com
Los Angeles, California

There is now a better, more efficient, “pollution free power” and "carbon free energy" solution for cooling, heating and powering homes and commercial buildings where solar energy is available. It's called Solar Trigeneration.

Solar Trigeneration is defined as the simultaneous generation of cooling, heating and power with only the free solar energy from the sun providing the "fuel". 

Solar Trigeneration is now a reality at the Audubon Center at Debs Park several miles from downtown Los Angeles and is one of the world's first "Net Zero Energy Buildings." Net Zero Energy Buildings."

The Audubon Nature Center is totally powered by the sun’s energy and our Solar Trigeneration energy system!

The 5,300 square foot building operates entirely “grid-free” and without any electric connections to the electric grid, or natural gas connections – a truly sustainable power and energy solution. 

Best of all, the Audubon Center doesn’t rely on the over-burdened electric grid or even natural gas.  Therefore, the Audubon Nature Center NEVER receives an electric bill or natural gas bill.... ever!

The Audubon Nature Center's 5,000 square foot office and conference facility is powered by a Solar Trigeneration system that features a 25-kilowatt solar electric power system where the energy is stored in a bank of batteries. The Center is cooled by a 10-ton solar absorption cooling system powered by an array of very efficient solar heat pipe vacuum tube thermal collectors.  The collectors heat the water to temperatures of 200+ degree F stored in a 1,200 gallon insulated tank, another type of inexpensive battery. The Solar Trigeneration system at the Audubon not only provides the air-conditioning in the summer but also heats the building in the winter, and provides the hot water for the kitchen and bathrooms. 

Absorption chillers, and cooling with solar energy with an absorption chiller are not new technologies.  In fact, absorption chiller technology is over 70 years old.  The first refrigerators were powered by propane gas to run the absorption chillers that used ammonia as a refrigerant.  Electricity and the electric compression chiller gained popularity only because of the convenient “plug and play” appliance and relatively cheap electric rates.  Electricity is no longer economically, or environmentally “cheap.”

History of Cogeneration and Trigeneration

Few people realize that the world's first commercial power plant, designed and built by Thomas Edison, was a cogeneration power plant that was first opened on Pearl Street, in Lower Manhattan, New York.  That was in 1882!  Edison not only generated, and sold electricity in the several blocks surrounding his "Pearl Street Station" but he also sold the hot water that was also generated from the cogeneration plant. The fuel Edison used for generating the electricity and hot water (cogeneration) came from "pulverized coal." The Pearl Street Station provided 110 volts of "direct current" power to 59 customers in lower Manhattan, around his Pearl Street laboratory. 

Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of heat and power. 

Trigeneration is the simultaneous production of cooling, heating and power.

Our company, in partnership with the Renewable Energy Institute and our affiliated partners, have perfected "Solar Cogeneration" and "Solar Trigeneration" which are the "heart" of our Net Zero Energy Buildings.

Unlike traditional cogeneration and trigeneration power plants that are fueled by natural gas - and Thomas Edison's cogeneration plant, which was fueled with pulverized coal, our Solar Cogeneration and Solar Trigeneration energy systems are fueled with the energy of the sun!  And, while natural gas is a "cleaner" fuel, it still has its problems in that it is a limited resource and generates greenhouse gas emissions.  Natural gas also have had extreme price swings and has a history of price volatility.  Natural gas prices have gone from a high of $17.00/mmbtu to a recent low of under $3.00/mmbtu.  

Regarding pulverized coal, yes, it's cheap in terms of the cost of generating electricity, but too many people forget about the "externalities" of pulverized coal that is not reflected in the "cheap" costs of generating electricity from pulverized coal.  These costs not accounted for are the huge environmental cost relating to the use of pulverized coal.  Pound for pound, pulverized coal and coal fired power plants generate more greenhouse gas emissions than any other fossil fuel.  There are also the costs related to the health and safety issues of the miners that mine the coal.  And, the costs to the environment in terms of the ever-increasing amounts of mercury that are "dumped" into the environment from coal fired power plants, is also not reflected in the "cheap" price of generating power from pulverized coal.

Unlike the problems inherently found with the use of fossil fuels, Solar Cogeneration and Solar Trigeneration have no such problems. 

And talk about "cheap" costs of generating power and energy, there is nothing cheaper than free!!!!  

The owners of the Audubon Nature Center never receive any monthly natural gas or electric bills!

And the owners of the Audubon Nature Center will never have to account for their greenhouse gas emissions, or comply with the ever-increasing regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions and the pending Cap and Trade laws..... thanks to our  Solar Trigeneration energy system!

Solar Trigeneration is an EcoGeneration solution.  EcoGeneration refers to a power and energy system that uses the “natural” energy or fuel that is available for a specific site or location. Such energy or fuel includes, solar, wind, BioMethane, geothermal, and ocean power, including ocean tidal and ocean thermal energy conversion. For example, in the desert areas of the Southwestern U.S. , there is an abundance of solar energy. Therefore, home-owners and business owners in this part of the country should seriously consider an EcoGeneration system (“ecogen system”) that optimizes the opportunities available through solar energy

Today, the cause of the summer peak electric demand, electric supply problems, and black-outs, are the result of the energy crisis in California, primarily attributed to the air conditioning load. Over 40 percent of the electricity generated every day goes is used for air conditioning.  At this time of year, the electric utilities are forced to turn on all of their power plants to generate the “peak” demands required by the customers, primarily for air-conditioning.  This means that all of the efficient power plants, the inefficient power plants, along with all of the “peaking” power plants have to run to generate the electricity needed. The high cost of meeting the peak demand is passed on to the consumers with rates of $.20+ per kWh during the summer months. For fixed income seniors living in desert communities, they are already forced to conserve on energy, food, water, and other necessities of life. 

Greater Demands on California’s Limited Electric Supply, Lack of New Electric Power Supplies, and This Summer’s Heat Wave are Compounding the Problem Leading to the “Perfect Electric Storm”

Many people will remember the movie “The Perfect Storm” from several years ago, when several storms came together in the northeastern part of the U.S. to produce a deadly and catastrophic “perfect” storm. Today, a different type of “perfect storm” is brewing in California. The storm that’s looming on the horizon in California is a “perfect electric storm” wherein the supply of electricity from the electric utility company’s power plants are unable to keep-up with the demand – meaning a black-out, or loss of electricity, like the black-outs from previous years, and like the northeastern black-out from 2003.

The most likely time of year for a black-out in California, unfortunately, is the summer, when air-conditioners are running at the maximum, and placing the maximum load on California’s electricity supply.  Should such a black-out occur in the desert areas of California, where daily high temperatures routinely reach 110 degrees and higher, and where a significant percentage of the population is comprised of retired and senior citizens, and should the black-out be prolonged, a number of deaths will be the likely outcome. People, and especially the elderly, simply cannot tolerate prolonged high temperatures

How Do We Prevent the “Perfect Electric Storm” from Occurring in California and Other Regions in the U.S.?

Another major concern is how do we prevent the “Perfect Electric Storm” from happening, like the Northeast Blackout several summers ago, especially for people living in the desert?  California ’s energy authorities are warning of a possible energy crisis during the hot summer months, due to the excessive and prolonged summer temperatures where demand increases by over 40 percent.  Compounding the problem is the rising demand for electricity due to population growth and the limited transmission capacity in some areas in the region.  According to the California Energy Commission, the State must build three natural gas-fired 500-megawatt peaking power plants, every year, just to keep up with the growing demands of electricity. Failure to keep up with demand means The problem is getting worse due to the population growth in the Inland Empire , Coachella Valley and Antelope Valley. The projected power gap for the coming summers remains bleak.

Governor Schwarzenegger’s “Million Solar Roofs” program and the passage of the 2005 Federal Energy Act will be the foundation to create a “Perfect Solar Storm” to trigger the Solar Economy throughout California. 

With the threat of California’s seniors and elderly dying from heat exhaustion due to power outages, black-outs, rolling black-outs and the rising costs of electricity and natural gas, combined with the continuing impact of global warming, the perfect solution is to create a Solar Revolution by cooling, heating and powering the desert with solar energy and technologies like Solar Cogeneration or Solar Trigeneration.

For more information about Solar Energy Systems, such as Solar Cogeneration or Solar Trigeneration, call Monty Goodell at (832) 758 - 0027, or send an email to info@SolarTrigeneration.com.

The Audubon Center's new Solar Trigeneration power and energy system
makes this building a "Net Zero Energy Building"

The Audubon's Roof showing the Solar Thermal Collectors, part of the 
Solar Trigeneration power and energy system

The heart of the Audubon's Solar Trigeneration power and energy system
provides "free heating, cooling and domestic hot water," a "net zero energy building."

The hot water from the Solar Thermal Collectors on the roof of the Audubon is pumped here for producing the building's heating, cooling and domestic hot water. 
Hot water is stored in the tank on the left for overnight.

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Providing the Following Products and Services:
Demand Side Management, Cogeneration, Trigeneration, Solar, 
Waste to Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Services

About Us

We provide our clients with comprehensive "waste to energy" solutions. This includes our in-house engineering services - and assists our clients understand their best path forward through our engineering and feedstock feasibility and economic analysis. Once our clients and our company understands the specific needs, requirements and goals of our clients, we can then optimize the waste to energy solution, that might include one or more of our products and services, including; anaerobic digester, biomass gasification plant, cogeneration plant, natural wastewater treatment plant, trigeneration plant or other waste to energy or waste to fuel solution. 

begin most and assist our commercial and industrial clients by providing recommendations and strategies for helping them reduce their carbon emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and keep informed of current laws and pending legislation relating to climate change, global warming and how they can prepare for Cap and Trade.  See our website at:  www.CapAndTrade.net  for more information on Cap and Trade issues, pending legislation and preparing for federal laws and compliance.

Our clients benefit from our extensive experience and knowledge of issues relating to renewable energy, environmental and sustainability issues as well as implementing real world solutions that accomplish our client's goals and objectives.

We have been providing products, consulting services, information, education and solutions for reducing: 

Carbon Emissions (www.CarbonEmissions.com)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions (www.CarbonDioxideEmissions.com)

and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (www.GreenhouseGasEmissions.com) since 2003.  

No company is better prepared to help their clients in meeting these legal and environmental challenges with proven solutions that help save money through significantly lower energy expenses while simultaneously reducing or eliminating their Greenhouse Gas Emissions, or eliminating them entirely, than us!  We are the pioneers of "Carbon Free Energy," "Pollution Free Power" and "Clean Power Generation" strategies and solutions that can completely eliminate your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  Our solutions and strategies provide our customers with an integrated approach to today's climate challenges with real world solutions that solve these problems, while reducing energy expenses.

We turn your waste into green power and energy!  Stop "Wasting Waste!"

Biomass Gasification Engineering and Feedstock Feasibility Studies
Turnkey Biomass Gasification plants
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Carbon Footprint verification
Sustainability Assessment 
Automated Demand Response
Biomass Gasification
Carbon Free Energy
Cogeneration plants
Demand Side Management
Pollution Free Power
Clean Power Generation
Renewable Energy Technologies
Solar Cogeneration
Solar Desalination
Solar Detoxification
Solar Trigeneration
Trigeneration plants


Why Choose Us?

We have proven solutions, products and services that can reduce or completely eliminate your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Our staff and team has the technical expertise, depth of knowledge and affiliations with major universities that are on the cutting edge of research that is developing the solutions the world needs to solve these problems. And, we are taking these university solutions to market with products and services that solve the challenges and problems relating to climate change, fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, we don't see these as problems any longer, but opportunities to help our clients get the jump on their competition, and our solutions are providing our customers with a sustainable, and durable competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does our company receive credit for our early actions at reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions? 

Before taking action independently, companies should first contact us so that we can help them establish a Greenhouse Gas Emissions "inventory" which we can provide as a qualified third-party. 

What is the generally accepted format for sustainability reports?

At present, most companies are using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) protocols as this provides for the "triple bottom line" reporting which includes social, economic and environmental performance measurements. We also line to include in our triple bottom line "people, planet and profit."

What are the benefits of verifying your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions? 

1.  Satisfies regulatory compliance regulations as well as accounting regulations relating to accuracy in reporting to customers, stockholders and other company stakeholders.

2.  Prepare for present and future regulatory compliance - Cap and Trade is coming!

3.  Establishes a present-day baseline for receiving future Greenhouse Gas Emissions Credits when your company begins taking action to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

4.  Provides a blueprint and strategy for knowing how, where and when to begin reducing your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

_____________________________________________________

We also help clients with tax credits when they use renewable energy technologies
such as the Synthesis Gas produced from Biomass Gasification plants.

Section 45 Tax Credits
Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Our renewable energy project development expertise has made us a leading authority of helping our clients with Section 45 Tax Credits.  Our company and our attorneys are skilled in the areas of renewable energy project finance and tax issues relating to renewable energy projects. We are able to assist our clients in connection with Section 45 tax credit project finance.

Our experience in Section 45 tax credits has helped us structure optimal renewable energy project solutions that match our clients unique economic and tax goals and requirements, which include regulatory constraints and regulatory compliance for most any state. 

Section 45 tax credits generate $.021 cents per kwh of electricity produced by the taxpayer and sold to an unrelated person or company. Section 45 tax credits are available for renewable electricity produced from certain renewable energy projects including, closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal power plants, solar energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste, and qualified hydro power production, refined coal and wind power generation.

See one of our following sites at: 

www.Section45TaxCredits.com   or  www.RenewableEnergyTaxCredits.com  

for more information or call:  (832) 758 - 0027 for more information

_____________________________________________________

We specialize in "carbon free energy" and "pollution free power" projects.  See our related sites at:  www.CarbonFreeEnergy.com  or  www.PollutionFreePower.com for more information.  

• The U.S. added nearly 1,400 megawatts of new wind energy capacity during the second quarter of 2008. 
  

• New wind turbines this year will generate 7,500 megawatts of additional electricity which surpasses the 5,249 megawatts installed in 2007.
  

• Wind power accounted for more than one-third of the new electric generating capacity installed in the U.S. in 2007.
  

• The wind industry is projected to grow at a 45 percent pace for the second straight year.
  

• For every megawatt (MW) of wind energy produced, $1 million in economic development is generated. This includes revenue from planning, construction, etc. 
  

• Wind energy revitalizes rural communities by providing steady income through lease and royalty payments to farmers and other landowners.
  

• Supplemental income: It is estimated that the income to a landowner from a single utility-scale turbine is approximately $2000 per year. For a 250-acre farm with income from wind at $55 per acre, this translates into an annual income from wind leases of $14,000, with no more than 2-3 acres removed from production.
  

• Jobs: Wind energy resources bring needed jobs to rural communities and bolster farm incomes against bad weather. Worldwide, wind and solar industries are likely to be one of the main sources of new manufacturing jobs in the 21st century.
  

• Wind energy costs for consumers are low and stable. This is particularly beneficial for those on fixed incomes.
  

• As wind energy production becomes more efficient, costs will decline, while fossil fuel prices are expected to rise. 
  

• Wind energy is a widespread, inexhaustible resource: 46 of 50 states have wind resources that could be developed.
  

• WIND ENERGY GENERATES CARBON FREE ENERGY & POLLUTION FREE POWER!  Power generated from the wind reduces smog and eliminates a major source of acid rain.  Wind energy has the potential to reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions (one of the most potent of all Greenhouse Gas Emissions) by 1/3 in the U.S. and world Carbon Dioxide Emissions by 4%! 
  

• Potential for growth: Development of just 10% of 10 of the windiest states could provide more than enough energy to displace emissions from coal-fired power plants.
  

• Cleaner air means healthier air, especially for people with respiratory disabilities.
  

Wind Power Generation vs. Traditional Power Generation

Power generated from clean, green wind energy avoids numerous negative effects of traditional electricity generation from fossil fuels:

• Emissions of mercury or other heavy metals into the air

• Emissions associated with extracting and transporting fuels

• Lake and streambed acidification from acid rain or mining

• Water consumption associated with mining or electricity generation

• Production of toxic solid wastes, ash, or slurry

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The benefits of wind power generation go on - including the leading role wind energy provides in reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions into the atmosphere - the leading cause of climate change and global warming.  

Today, Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the United States approaches 6 billion metric tons/year.  

39% of these Carbon Dioxide Emissions are produced when electricity is generated from fossil fuels.

If the United States obtained 20% of its electricity from wind energy, the country could avoid putting 825 million metric tons of CO2 annually into the atmosphere by 2030, or a cumulative total of 7,600 million metric tons by 2030.

A relatively straightforward metric used to understand the carbon benefits of wind energy is that a single 1.5 MW wind turbine displaces 2,700 metric tons of CO2 per year compared with the current U.S. average utility fuel mix, or the equivalent of planting 4 square kilometers of forest every year according to AWEA 2007.

Now seeking Land/Ranch Owners as Joint-Venture partner(s) for multiple wind farms we are developing in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.  Our wind farms also include our own electric transmission lines.  
Call (832) 758 - 0027 for more information.

What is a Wind Resource Assessment?

A Wind Resource Assessment is defined as the process of characterizing the wind resources, wind characteristics and the site's wind energy potential for that specific site or geographical area.

NOTE:  FOR QUALIFIED LAND/RANCH OWNERS, WITH PROPERTY LOCATED IN AREAS WE ARE DEVELOPING NEW WIND FARMS, WE CAN  PERFORM THE WIND RESOURCE ASSESSMENT.

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We Develop Utility Scale Wind Farms,
Community Wind Farms,
& High Voltage Transmission Lines

and are "vendor neutral" in terms of wind turbine manufacturer. Our sole focus is in maximizing revenues and minimizing expenses for our clients.

Call (832) 758 - 0027 for more information

Renewable Energy Technologies' focus is on renewable energy and developing projects that generate environmental credits such as Certified Emission Reductions, Verified Emission Reductions, Carbon Dioxide Credits, or other types of Greenhouse Gas Emissions credits. 

Our onsite power and energy projects produce the following benefits:

     1.  Reduced power and energy expenses for our customers
     2.  Healthy returns on investment for our investors, and
     3.  Significant savings for our environment

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Wind Power Generation Saves Water!

20% of our nation's electricity requirements can be generated with wind power generation by the year 2030 according to the Department of Energy. 

When we do, our nation will save over 4 Trillion gallons of water through 2030 through the displacement of typical electric power plants, such as fossil fuel power plants, that would have used vast amount of water. By switching to wind power generation for 20% of our nation's electrical requirements, we reduce overall water consumption by 17% in 2030.

See our website at:  www.WindPowerGeneration.com  for more information.

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The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Wind Power

According to the Department of Energy, our nation's electricity generation from wind power alone could top 20 percent of the total power generation mix by 2030. 

This would have the economic benefits of creating 500,000 jobs and generate more than $400 billion. 

Wind Power also reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions and other pollution by 25 percent than otherwise.

Wind Power Generation: 
Growing Fast!

United States — 50-Meter Wind Resource Map

Yearly Installed Wind Capacity Map

 

Texas Wind Power Map

Renewable Energy Project Development Solutions 
and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Services

About Us

We provide our clients with comprehensive renewable energy project development services. This includes  "waste to energy" solutions that utilizes our in-house engineering services - on a vendor-neutral basis.  For clients, we help them choose the best path forward with our engineering feasibility and economic studies. Once our clients and our company understands the specific needs, requirements and goals of our clients, we can then optimize the waste to energy solution, that might include one or more of our products and services, including; anaerobic digester, biomass gasification plant, cogeneration plant, natural wastewater treatment plant, trigeneration plant or other waste to energy or waste to fuel solution. 

begin most and assist our commercial and industrial clients by providing recommendations and strategies for helping them reduce their carbon emissions, carbon dioxide emissions, greenhouse gas emissions and keep informed of current laws and pending legislation relating to climate change, global warming and how they can prepare for Cap and Trade.  See our website at:  www.CapAndTrade.net  for more information on Cap and Trade issues, pending legislation and preparing for federal laws and compliance.

Our clients benefit from our extensive experience and knowledge of issues relating to renewable energy, environmental and sustainability issues as well as implementing real world solutions that accomplish our client's goals and objectives.

We have been providing products, consulting services, information, education and solutions for reducing: 

Carbon Emissions (www.CarbonEmissions.com)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions (www.CarbonDioxideEmissions.com)

and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (www.GreenhouseGasEmissions.com) since 2003.  

No company is better prepared to help their clients in meeting these legal and environmental challenges with proven solutions that help save money through significantly lower energy expenses while simultaneously reducing or eliminating their Greenhouse Gas Emissions, or eliminating them entirely, than us!  We are the pioneers of "Carbon Free Energy," "Pollution Free Power" and "Clean Power Generation" strategies and solutions that can completely eliminate your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions.  Our solutions and strategies provide our customers with an integrated approach to today's climate challenges with real world solutions that solve these problems, while reducing energy expenses.

Our solutions include: 

We turn your waste into green power and energy!  Stop "Wasting Waste!"

Biomass Gasification Engineering and Feedstock Feasibility Studies
Turnkey Biomass Gasification plants
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory 
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Assessment
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 
Carbon Footprint verification
Sustainability Assessment 
Automated Demand Response
Biomass Gasification
Carbon Free Energy
Cogeneration plants
Demand Side Management
Pollution Free Power
Clean Power Generation
Renewable Energy Technologies
Solar Cogeneration
Solar Desalination
Solar Detoxification
Solar Trigeneration
Trigeneration plants
Utility Scale Power Plants
Wind Farm Development


Why Choose Us?

We have proven solutions, products and services that can reduce or completely eliminate your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Our staff and team has the technical expertise, depth of knowledge and affiliations with major universities that are on the cutting edge of research that is developing the solutions the world needs to solve these problems. And, we are taking these university solutions to market with products and services that solve the challenges and problems relating to climate change, fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, we don't see these as problems any longer, but opportunities to help our clients get the jump on their competition, and our solutions are providing our customers with a sustainable, and durable competitive advantage.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How does our company receive credit for our early actions at reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions? 

Before taking action independently, companies should first contact us so that we can help them establish a Greenhouse Gas Emissions "inventory" which we can provide as a qualified third-party. 

What is the generally accepted format for sustainability reports?

At present, most companies are using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) protocols as this provides for the "triple bottom line" reporting which includes social, economic and environmental performance measurements. We also line to include in our triple bottom line "people, planet and profit."

What are the benefits of verifying your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions? 

1.  Satisfies regulatory compliance regulations as well as accounting regulations relating to accuracy in reporting to customers, stockholders and other company stakeholders.

2.  Prepare for present and future regulatory compliance - Cap and Trade is coming!

3.  Establishes a present-day baseline for receiving future Greenhouse Gas Emissions Credits when your company begins taking action to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. 

4.  Provides a blueprint and strategy for knowing how, where and when to begin reducing your company's Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

We also help clients with tax credits when they use renewable energy technologies
such as the Synthesis Gas produced from Biomass Gasification plants.

Section 45 Tax Credits
Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Our renewable energy project development expertise has made us a leading authority of helping our clients with Section 45 Tax Credits.  Our company and our attorneys are skilled in the areas of renewable energy project finance and tax issues relating to renewable energy projects. We are able to assist our clients in connection with Section 45 tax credit project finance.

Our experience in Section 45 tax credits has helped us structure optimal renewable energy project solutions that match our clients unique economic and tax goals and requirements, which include regulatory constraints and regulatory compliance for most any state. 

Section 45 tax credits generate $.021 cents per kwh of electricity produced by the taxpayer and sold to an unrelated person or company. Section 45 tax credits are available for renewable electricity produced from certain renewable energy projects including, closed-loop biomass, open-loop biomass, geothermal power plants, solar energy, small irrigation power, municipal solid waste, and qualified hydro power production, refined coal and wind power generation.

See one of our following sites at: 

www.Section45TaxCredits.com   or  www.RenewableEnergyTaxCredits.com  

for more information or call:  (832) 758 - 0027 for more information

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Wind Energy Terminology & Glossary

AC - Alternating Current 

Airfoil -The cross section profile of the leeward side of a wind generator blade. Designed to give low drag and good lift. Also found on an airplane wing. 

Air Gap - In a permanent magnet alternator, the distance between the magnets and the laminates. 

Alternating Current - Electricity that changes direction periodically. The period is measured in Cycles per Second (Hertz, Hz). 

Alternator - A device that produces Alternating Current from the rotation of a shaft. 

Amperage - A unit of electrical current, equal to Coulombs per second. This is the flow rate of electrons moving through a circuit, very roughly analogous to gallons per minute flowing from a faucet. 

Ampere-Hour - A measure of energy quantity, equal to amperes times hours. Also used to measure battery capacity. 

Anemometer - A device that measures wind speed. 

Angle of Attack - The angle of relative air flow to the blade chord. 

Annealing - A heat treatment process that makes Cold-rolled steel more suitable for forming and bending. 

Area of a Circle - Pi multiplied by the Radius squared. 

Armature - The moving part of an alternator, generator or motor. In many PM alternator designs, it carries the magnets and is attached to the blades and hub. Also called a Rotor. 

Axial Alternator - An alternator design where a flat disc carrying magnets on the face (the Armature) rotates near a flat disc carrying coils (the Stator). 

Axis - The centerline of a rotating object's movement. 

Balancing - With wind turbine blades, adjusting their weight and weight distribution through 2 axes so that all blades are the same. Unbalanced blades create damaging vibration. 

Battery - An electrochemical device for storing energy. 

Battery Bank - An array of Batteries connected in series, parallel, or both. 

Bearing - A device that transfers a force to structural supports. In a wind generator, bearings allow the Shaft to rotate freely, and allow the machine to Yaw into and out of the wind. 

Belt - A device for transferring power from a rotating shaft to a generator. Allows the use of Pulleys to change the ratio of shaft speed to and from the generator. 

Betz Limit -59.3 percent. This is the theoretical maximum efficiency at which a wind generator can operate, by slowing the wind down. If the wind generator slows the wind down too much, air piles up in front of the blades and is not used for extracting energy. 

Blade - The part of a wind generator rotor that catches the wind. 

Braking System - A device to slow a wind turbine's shaft speed down to safe levels electrically or mechanically. 

Bridge Rectifier - An array of diodes used to convert Alternating Current to Direct Current. Single-phase bridge rectifiers use 4 diodes, 3-phase bridge rectifiers use 6 diodes. 

Brushes - Devices for transferring power to or from a rotating object. Usually made of carbon-graphite. 

Ceramic Magnets - See Ferrite Magnets. 

Chord - The width of a wind turbine blade at a given location along the length. 

Coercivity--The amount of power needed to magnetize or demagnetize a permanent magnet. Measured in MegaGauss Oersted (mGO) 

Cogging - The cyclic physical resistance felt in some alternator designs from magnets passing the coils and gaps in the laminates. Detrimental to Start-up. 

Coil - A length of wire wound around a form in multiple turns. 

Cold-Rolled Steel - Steel processed by working at room temperatures. More expensive than hot-rolled steel. 

Commutator - The rotating part of a DC generator. 

Concave - A surface curved like the interior of a circle or sphere. 

Convex - A surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere. 

Current - See Amperage. 

Cut-In Wind Speed - The rotational speed at which an alternator or generator starts pushing electricity hard enough (has a high enough voltage) to make electricity flow in a circuit. 

Cycles per Second - Measured in Hertz. In electricity, it is the number of times an AC circuit reaches both minimum and maximum values in one second. 

Darrieus Wind Turbine - A Vertical Axis Wind Turbine design from the 1920s and 1930s by F.M. Darrieus, a French wind turbine designer. 

DC - Direct Current 

Delta - A 3-phase alternator wiring configuration in which all phases are connected in Series. 

Diameter - A straight line passing through the center of a circle, and ending on both edges. Equal to 2 times the Radius. 

Diode - A solid-state device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction. 

Downwind - Refers to a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine in which the hub and blades point away from the wind direction, the opposite of an Upwind turbine. 

Drag - In a wind generator, the force exerted on an object by moving air. Also refers to a type of wind generator or anemometer design that uses cups instead of a blades with airfoils. 

Dump Load - A device to which wind generator power flows when the system batteries are too full to accept more power, usually an electric heating element. This diversion is performed by a Shunt Regulator, and allows a Load to be kept on the Alternator or Generator. 

Duty Cycle - In a circuit, the ratio of off time to on time. 

Dynamo - A device that produces Direct Current from a rotating shaft. See Generator. 

Eddy Currents - Currents that flow in a substance from variations in magnetic induction. See also Lenz Effect. Laminates are used to prevent eddy currents, which cause physical and electrical resistance in an alternator or transformer, therefore wasting power. 

Efficiency - The ratio of energy output to energy input in a device. 

Electromagnet - A device made of wire coils that produces a magnetic field when electricity flows through the coils. 

Epoxy - A 2-part adhesive system consisting of resin and hardener. It does not start to harden until the elements are mixed together. NOT compatible with Fiberglas® Resin. 

Excitation - Using an electric current to create a magnetic field. See Electromagnet. 

Fatigue - Stress that causes material failure from repeated, cyclic vibration or stress. 

Ferrite Magnets - Also called Ceramic Magnets. Made of Strontium Ferrite. High Coercivity and Curie Temperature, low cost, but brittle and 4-5 times weaker than NdFeB magnets. 

Fiberglas® Resin--Another 2-part adhesive system, NOT compatible with Epoxy. Often used for making castings, since it is much cheaper than Epoxy. 

Freewheeling - a wind generator that is NOT connected to a Load is freewheeling, and in danger of self-destruction from overspeeding. 

Frequency - Refers to electric current - Also see Cycles per Second. 

Furling - The act of a wind generator Yawing out of the wind either horizontally or vertically to protect itself from high wind speeds. 

Furling Tail - A wind generator protection mechanism where the rotor shaft axis is offset horizontally from the yaw axis, and the tail boom is both offset horizontally and hinged diagonally, thus allowing the tail to fold up and in during high winds. This causes the blades to turn out of the wind, protecting the machine. 

Gauss - A unit of magnetic induction, equal to 1 Maxwell per square centimeter. Higher Gauss measurements mean more power can be induced to flow in an alternator. Gauss readings can be increased by putting steel behind magnets, stacking magnets, or using larger or higher-grade magnets. 

Gearing - Using a mechanical system of gears or belts and pulleys to increase or decrease shaft speed. Power losses from friction are inherent in any gearing system. 

Generator - A device that produces Direct Current from a rotating shaft. 

Governor - A device that regulates the speed of a rotating shaft, either electrically or mechanically. 

Guy Anchor - Attaches tower guy wires securely to the earth. 

Guy Radius - The distance between a wind turbine tower and the guy anchors. 

Guy Wire - Attaches a tower to a Guy Anchor and the ground. 

H-Rotor - A Vertical Axis Wind Turbine design. 

HAWT - Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine. 

Hertz - Frequency measurement. See Cycles per Second 

Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine - A "normal" wind turbine design, in which the shaft is parallel to the ground, and the blades are perpendicular to the ground. 

Hub - The center of a wind generator rotor, which holds the blades in place and attaches to the shaft. 

Impedance - See Resistance. 

Induction - The production of a magnetic field by the proximity of a electric charge or the production of a magnetic field by proximity of an electric charge. 

Induction Motor - An AC motor in which the rotating armature has no electrical connections to it (ie no slip rings), and consists of alternating plates of aluminum and steel. 

Kilowatt - 1000 Watts (see Watt) 

kW - Kilowatt. 

Laminations--Electrical circuit core parts, found in motors, generators, alternators and transformers. When core parts are subjected to alternating electrical or magnetic fields, the buildup of Eddy Currents causes physical and electrical power loss. Laminations are made of thin strips of materials that make good temporary magnets and poor permanent magnets, and each strip is insulated electrically from the next. 

Leading Edge - The edge of a blade that faces toward the direction of rotation. 

Leeward - Away from the direction from which the wind blows. 

Lenz Effect - See also Eddy Currents. From H.F.E Lenz in 1833. Electromotive force is induced with variations in magnetic flux. It can be demonstrated physically in many different ways--for example dragging a strong magnet over an aluminum or copper plate, or shorting the terminals of a PM alternator and rotating the shaft by hand. Laminates are used to reduce power losses from this effect. 

Lift - The force exerted by moving air on asymmetrically-shaped wind generator blades at right angles to the direction of relative movement. Ideally, wind generator blades should produce high Lift and low Drag. 

Live - A circuit that is carrying electricity.  

Load - Something physical or electrical that absorbs energy. A wind generator that is connected to a battery bank is loaded. A disconnected wind generator is NOT loaded, so the blades are free to spin at very high speed without absorbing any energy from the wind, and it is in danger of destruction from overspeeding. 

Losses - Power that is harvested by a wind generator but is not transferred to a usable form. Losses can be from friction, electrical resistance, or other causes. 

Magnet - A body that attracts ferromagnetic materials. Can be a Permanent magnet, Temporary Magnet, or Electromagnet. 

Magnetite - A common Iron-containing mineral with ferromagnetic properties. 

Magnet Wire - The kind of wire always used in making electromagnets, alternators, generators and motors. Uses very thin enamel insulation to minimize thickness and maximize resistance to heat. 

Magnetic Circuit - The path in which magnetic flux flows from one magnet pole to the other. 

Magnetic Field - Magnetic fields are historically described in terms of their effect on electric charges. A moving electric charge, such as an electron, will accelerate in the presence of a magnetic field, causing it to change velocity and its direction of travel. An electrically charged particle moving in a magnetic field will experience a force (known as the Lorentz force) pushing it in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field and the direction of motion. Also called magnetic flux. 

Maximum Energy Product - Determines how good a magnet that different materials can make. Technically, the amount of energy that a material can supply to an external magnetic circuit when operating within its demagnetization curve. 

MegaGauss Oersted - Magnetic force measurement, see Maximum Energy Product. 

MGOe - MegaGauss Oersted. 

Moment - A force attempting to produce motion around an axis. 

NdFeB - See Neodymium-Iron-Boron Magnet. 

Nacelle - The protective covering over the generator or motor at the top of a wind turbine tower. 

Neodymium-Iron-Boron Magnet - The composition of the most powerful Permanent Magnets known to man. The materials are mined, processed, and sintered into shape. Then, they are subjected to an extremely strong magnetic field and become Permanent Magnets. 

Ohm's Law - The basic math needed for nearly all electrical calculations. Please see a dictionary or Pocket Ref for all of the variations on Ohm's Law! E=I*R (voltage(E)=amperage(I)*resistance(R)), and all of the algebraic variations of this (I=E/R, R=E/I). Also, for DC circuits, Watts=Volts*Amps. For AC circuits, Watts=Amps * Volts * Cosine of phase angle theta. 

Open-Circuit Voltage - The voltage that a alternator or generator produces when it is NOT connected to a Load. 

Parallel - In DC electrical circuits such as a battery bank or solar panel array, this is a connection where all negative terminals are connected to each other, and all positive terminals are connected to each other. Voltage stays the same, but amperage is increased. In AC circuits such as a wind generator alternator, each parallel coil is connected to common supply wires, again increasing amperage but leaving voltage the same. Opposite of Series. See also Star. 

Permanent Magnet - A material that retains its magnetic properties after an external magnetic field is removed. 

Permanent Magnet Alternator - An Alternator that uses moving permanent magnets instead of Electromagnets to induce current in coils of wire. 

PM - Permanent Magnet. 

PMA - See Permanent Magnet Alternator. 

Phase - The timing of AC current cycles in different wires. 3-phase alternators produce current that is cyclically timed between 3 different wires and a common wire, while single phase produces it in only 1 wire and a common. In a 3-phase alternator, wire #1 receives a voltage peak, then wire #2 receives a peak, then wire #3.

Pillow Blocks - Bearings that support a horizontal shaft. 

Pitch - Setting Angle of an airfoil or blade. 

Poles - A way of picturing magnetic phenomena. All magnets are considered to be "dipoles", having both a North pole (which would point North if used in a compass) and a South pole (which would point South if used in a compass. In an alternator, generator, or motor the number of Poles is a measure of how many coils, permanent magnets or electromagnets are in the armature or stator. 

Prop - Propeller. 

Propeller - The spinning thing that makes an airplane move forward. Often incorrectly used to describe a wind turbine Rotor. 

Pulley - A device for transferring power when using Belts as Gearing. Changing to smaller or larger Pulleys changes the gear ratio, and can be used to make a shaft turn faster or slower than the shaft that is providing its power. 

Pulse Width Modulation - A regulation method based on Duty Cycle. At full power, a pulse-width-modulated circuit provides electricity 100 percent of the time. At half power, the PWM is on half the time and off half the time. The speed of this alternation is generally very fast. Used in both solar wind regulators to efficiently provide regulation. 

PWM - See Pulse Width Modulation. 

Radius - The distance between the center of a circle and the outside. 

Rare-Earth Magnets - See Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnets. 

Rated Power Output - Used by wind generator manufacturers to provide a baseline for measuring performance. Rated output may vary by manufacturer. For example, one manufacturer's 1500 watt turbine may produce that amount of power at a 30 mph windspeed, while another brand of 1500 watt turbine may not make 1500 Watts until it gets a 40 mph windspeed.  Read manufacturer's ratings statements very carefully. 

Rectifier - See Diode. 

Radial - An alternator design in which the armature magnets are attached to the outside circumference of a disc, with the stator coils mounted around the outside. 

Regulator - A device to adjust incoming power so as to avoid overcharging a battery bank. In solar power, the regulator generally just turns the solar array off when the batteries are full. With a wind generator, the regulator generally diverts all or part of the incoming power to a Dump Load when the batteries fill, thus keeping a Load on the wind generator so it will not Freewheel. 

Relay - An electromechanical switch that uses a small amount of incoming electricity to charge an electromagnet, which physically pulls down a connecting switch to complete a circuit. This allows a low-power circuit to divert the electricity in a high-power circuit. 

Resistance - The voltage per amp needed to make electricity flow through a wire. See Ohm's Law. 

Root - The area of a blade nearest to the hub. Generally the thickest and widest part of the blade. 
Rotor--1) The blade and hub assembly of a wind generator. 2) The disc part of a vehicle disc brake. 3) The armature of a permanent magnet alternator, which spins and contains permanent magnets. 

RPM - Revolutions Per Minute. The number of times a shaft completes a full revolution in one minute. 

Savonius - A vertical-axis wind turbine design by S.J. Savonius of Finland from the 1920s and 30s. Shaped like a barrel split from end to end and offset along the cut. They are drag machines, and thus give very low rpm but lots of torque. 

Series - In DC electrical circuits such as a battery bank or solar panel array, this is a connection where all the negative terminals are connected to the neighboring positive terminals. Voltage increases, but amperage stays the same. In AC circuits such as a wind generator alternator, each coil is connected to the one next to it, and so on, again increasing voltage but leaving amperage the same. Opposite of Parallel. See also Delta. 

Servo Motor - A motor used for motion control in robots, hard disc drives, etc. Generally designed more like an alternator than a standard motor, most Servos need special control circuitry to make them rotate electrically. Some can be used in reverse to generate alternating current. 

Setting Angle - The angle between the blade Chord and the plane of the blade's rotation. Also called Pitch or blade angle. A blade carved with a Twist has a different setting angle at the Tip than at the Root. 

Shaft - The rotating part in the center of a wind generator or motor that transfers power. 

Short Circuit - 1) Parts of a circuit connected together with only the impedance of the leads between them. 2) In wind generators, connecting the output leads directly together so as to heavily load a generator in high winds. This creates a "short" circuit path back to the generator, bypassing all other loads. 

Shunt - An electrical bypass circuit that proportionally divides current flow between the shunt and the shunted equipment. It also allows high current measurements with low-current equipment. 

Shunt Regulator - A bypass device for power not needed for charging batteries. When batteries are full, the regulator shunts all or part of the excess power to a Dump Load to protect the batteries from overcharging damage. 

Slip Ring - Devices used to transfer electricity to or from rotating parts. Used in wound-field alternators, motors, and in some wind generator yaw assemblies. 

Star - A coil connection scheme for 3 phase alternators and generators in which all 3 coil phases are connected in parallel--they all share a common connection. 

Start-Up - The windspeed at which a wind turbine rotor starts to rotate. It does not necessarily produce any power until it reaches cut-in speed. See Cut-in Wind Speed.

Stationary - With wind generator towers, a tower that does not tilt up and down. The tower must be climbed or accessed with a crane to install or service equipment at the top. 

Stator - The part of a motor, generator or alternator that does not rotate. In permanent magnet alternators it holds the coils and laminates. 

Tail - See Vane. The proper term is actually Vane, but Tail is commonly used. 

Tail Boom - A strut that holds the tail (Vane) to the wind generator frame. 

Tape Drive Motor - A type of permanent magnet DC motor often used as a generator in small wind generator systems. 

Taper - The change in wind turbine blade width (chord) along the length. 

Temporary Magnet - A material that shows magnetic properties only while exposed to an external magnetic field. 

Thrust - In a wind generator, wind forces pushing back against the rotor. Wind generator bearings must be designed to handle thrust or else they will fail. 

Thrust Bearing - A bearing that is designed to handle axial forces along the centerline of the shaft--in a wind generator, this is the force of the wind pushing back against the blades. 

Tilt-Up - A tower that is hinged at the base and tilted up into position using a gin pole and winch or vehicle. Wind turbines on tilt-up towers can be serviced on the ground, with no climbing required. 

Tip - The end of a wind generator blade farthest from the hub. 

Tip Speed Ratio -The ratio of how much faster than the windspeed that the blade tips are moving. Abbreviation TSR. 

Torque - Turning force, equal to force times radius. See also Moment. 

Tower - A structure that supports a wind generator, usually high in the air. 

Trailing Edge - The edge of a blade that faces away from the direction of rotation. 

Transformer - Multiple individual coils of wire wound on a laminate core. Transfers power from one circuit to another using magnetic induction. Usually used to step voltage up or down. Works only with AC current. 

TSR - Tip Speed Ratio. 

Turn - In winding stator coils, this is one loop of wire around a form. A coil will often be referred to by how many turns of a certain gauge wire are in each coil. 

Twist - In a wind generator blade, the difference in Pitch between the blade root and the blade tip. Generally, the twist allows more Pitch at the blade root for easier Startup, and less Pitch at the tip for better high-speed performance. 

Upwind - the direction in which a wind turbine generator faces into the wind. 

Vane - A large, flat piece of material used to align a wind turbine rotor correctly into the wind. Usually mounted vertically on the tail boom. Sometimes called a Tail. 

Variable Pitch - A type of wind turbine rotor where the attack angle of the blades can be adjusted either automatically or manually. 

VAWT - Vertical Axis Wind Turbine. 

Vertical Axis Wind Turbine - A wind generator design where the rotating shaft is perpendicular to the ground, and the cups or blades rotate parallel to the ground. 

Voltage - A measure of electrical potential difference. One volt is the potential difference needed in a circuit to make one Ampere flow, dissipating one Watt of heat. 

Volt-Amp - In an AC circuit, this is Volts * Amps, without factoring in the power factor, derived from the phase angle. 

Watt - One Joule of electrical energy per second. In DC circuits, Watts=Volts * Amps. In AC circuits, Watts=Volts * Amps * the cosine of the phase angle. See also Volt-Amp. 

Wild AC - Alternating Current that varies in Frequency. 

Wind Generator - A device that captures the force of the wind to provide rotational motion to produce power with an alternator or generator. 

Windmill - A device that uses wind power to mill grain into flour. But informally used as a synonym for wind generator or wind turbine, and to describe machines that pump water with wind power. 

Wind Turbine - A machine that captures the force of the wind. Called a Wind Generator when used to produce electricity. Called a Windmill when used to crush grain or pump water. 

Windward - Toward the direction from which the wind blows. 

Yaw - Rotation parallel to the ground. A wind generator Yaws to face winds coming from different directions. 

Yaw Axis--Vertical axis through the center of gravity. 

Some of the above information provided with our thanks by the Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.