From The Workbench - Alternative + Renewable Energy Blog Valuable information for do-it-yourselfers interested in the latest in alternative + renewable energy

So, you’re well versed on where harnessing the power of the blustery wind actually comes from, now you just need a bit more information on what different types of turbines there are that actually do the harnessing.  From the most ancient to the most recent, wind turbines have a long history and today we’re going to cover the “who’s who” of wind turbines.

It is no secret that wind energy is the number one fastest growing energy source in the whole world.  It is clean, it is renewable, it is readily available almost everywhere and it is not too difficult to actually capture and use.  What could be better?

So you know where it comes from, now you want to know how to capture it and what to use to actually do the capturing.  The age old question, are there different types of turbines?

Are there different types of wind turbines?

There are several types of wind turbines:

* Vertical-axis wind turbine—The main rotor shaft is arranged vertically, enabling the turbine to capture the energy of the wind without pointing directly into it. This works to the advantage of those who live in areas where the wind direction constantly fluctuates.
* Horizontal-axis wind turbine—These turbines have two to three blades and operate by facing the unit into the wind. An attached wind vane measures wind direction, enabling the turbine to best position itself to capture the wind.

Wind turbines are also available in several different sizes:

* Single, small turbines—These units are meant for individual use for homes, telecommunications dishes, water pumping or in remote areas where a grid connection is lacking. They can be coupled with batteries, solar power systems, or fuel systems to create a hybrid system.
* Utility-scale turbines—Typically, these large units (from 100 kilowatts to several megawatts) are combined with other large units to form a wind farm, providing bulk power to the electrical grid.

So while you might not be quite ready for the utility-scale turbines forming a giant wind farm, you’d be shocked, amazed, and pleasantly surprised by how much energy you can actually cultivate with just a small turbine or two placed strategically.  Again, combining the energy you store from the sun, with the energy you harness from the wind, the sky is the limit!