Inside the Wind Turbine

Benefits of Wind Power

A wind energy system can provide a cushion against electric power price increases. Wind energy systems help reduce U.S. dependence on fossil fuels; and they are nonpolluting. If you live in a remote location, a small wind energy system could help you avoid the high costs of having utility power lines extended to your site.

Although wind energy systems involve a significant initial investment, they can be competitive with conventional energy sources when you account for a lifetime of reduced or altogether avoided utility costs. The length of the payback period – the time before the savings resulting from your system equal the cost of the system itself – depends on the system you choose, the wind resource on your site, electricity costs in your area, and how you use your wind system.

Wind Energy Projects in New Zealand

A Visual Overview of the current Wind Energy Projects throughout New Zealand

There are currently four existing wind farms in New Zealand, with a total capacity of around 170 MW. Over 15 other sites are planned for expansion or development, each with a capacity between 19MW and 300 MW.

Wind Energy

Wind Energy is produced as electricity generated by a wind-turbine, typically mounted on a tall tower to reach the higher wind speeds present above trees and other landscape features. As with Photovoltaic electricity, it is generated as DC current that can be stored in batteries or converted to AC current. A wind energy system can be "off-grid" or "grid-tied" and can also be used in combination with a PV system.

The Mead facility has a "grid-tied" 10 kw Bergey XL wind turbine on a 120' free-standing tower, with an estimated annual energy output of 8,400 to 10,800 kwh/yr. It uses the utility grid as its "battery storage," purchasing energy when needed and selling electricity to the utility when the generated amount exceeds the building's needs.

Wind energy

Wind energy, the world's fastest growing energy source, is a clean and renewable source of energy that has been in use for centuries in Europe and more recently in the United States and other nations. Wind turbines, both large and small, produce electricity for utilities and homeowners and remote villages.

Energy Conservation at Case

Throughout our country, the cost of energy (electricity, oil, natural gas, and water) has escalated dramatically in recent months, and rising prices are expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Case consumes a large amount of energy to support its education and research programs. Within the next twelve months, the university’s energy costs could easily double. As an institution committed to developing a sustainable and environmentally responsible campus, we seek your assistance and support in our efforts to conserve energy. We must work together with renewed vigor to reduce our energy consumption, conserve resources, and contain costs.

“50% of all energy use in the United States is a direct consequence of the decisions that you and I make every day. If I take the residential use of energy and the vehicle use of energy, [vehicle] energy use is roughly half of the total energy used in the U.S. today. It’s also one of the least efficient. One of my answers to that question would be, ‘If not me, then who?’ In other words, we can look in the mirror and do an awful lot for that national energy system.”

-Peter Garforth-

Hurricane - wind