Utilities shopping for 50 megawatts of wind power

Colorado Springs Utilities this week put out a request for proposals to buy 50 megawatts of wind power that would come online by the end of 2012.

You can see that both designs offer advantages and whichever one you choose, it can really help you lower your electricity bill by providing quite a bit of power. Take your time and compare the different models and you can find one that is perfect for your needs.Some skeptics of renewable power have argued that cycling gas or coal plants on and off to allow for wind power makes them run inefficiently and can actually increase a system's total carbon emissions. Neil said CSU has considered the problem and that, although wind may force its coal plants to operate less efficiently, wind should reduce the overall carbon footprint.If the price is good enough, he said, CSU would consider buying more than 50 megawatts of power.When selecting a home wind turbine you really have a choice between two different styles. There is the traditional horizontal style turbine and the newer vertical wind turbine.There are a few drawbacks to this design and you need to know about these before making a decision. First, because the blades are larger, it takes quite a bit of wind to get the horizontal home wind turbine rotating. You might use a turbine that isn't as large that would turn with weaker winds, but it wouldn't generate as much power because it is smaller.Building your own wind turbine does not have to be a difficult task. You can try to figure it all out on your own, grabbing bits of information using online research, or you get a complete guide that instructs you every step of the way. You probably won't want to make mistakes, so having one of these guides is highly recommended. There are many to choose from.You can use wind turbines whether you are on grid or off grid. Depending on the system you get you can generate 50% to 100% of your electricity. A wind turbine capable of producing enough electricity to power the average household in the United States costs between $6,000 and $20,000, plus installation - or you could make your own."In specific cases, you reduce a coal plant down to a less efficient level, yes emissions will go up, but at the same time, you're displacing a large amount of (coal-generated) power," he said.You need to think about your lot size and it's elevation before deciding which type of system you want to install. The factor that most effects power generation of a wind turbine is finding a strong wind for as long as possible. You might have to install the unit on a higher tower to get access to the required wind, or locate it in an area of your lot that is not blocked by the trees.One other advantage is a vertical system is set in one position and will turn in wind coming from any direction. It is more efficient than a horizontal turbine because it can still move even if the wind isn't all that strong.Wind power and hydroelectric power are very similar in principle. One uses wind, the other water, as a driving force to create kinetic energy which is used to power a generator which then creates electricity. I know what you are thinking, but it really is much simpler than it sounds.

"In specific cases, you reduce a coal plant down to a less efficient level, yes emissions will go up, but at the same time, you're displacing a large amount of (coal-generated) power," he said.

Author: ANDREW WINEKE