Small Wind Power Considerations

Wind energy can be a supplemental source of energy to an electric grid or the complete power supply for an isolated source. It produces no waste particulate matter, uses no water for cooling, and contributes no green house gasses to the environment. A short description of the Alternative Energy Institute, at West Texas A&M University, and the basics of wind energy as well as some discussion of home scale wind systems are presented here. The uses of wind energy and many of the basic concerns and considerations of placing wind energy conversion systems on or near primary structures are discussed. The basic plan for a renewable energy system inclusion into a home or building is shown; it is always preferable to reduce the energy load and ensure that the structure will use energy as efficiently as possible before a system is designed. Current federal support for renewables is at a new high, and the source for local and regional description of programs is shown.