You know you have enough wind available on your property to rid yourself of your dependence on the electric company. You’re ready to shop. Here’s the industry jargon you’ll need to know when you are talking to suppliers and contractors.

Swept Area: This is the area the generator blades will sweep. Ths swept area coupled with your average wind speed will determine your total energy output. The swept area can be calculated from the rotor diameter.

Tower Top Weight:The weight of the wind generator which will be mounted on top of the tower. This weight will determine your choice of tower. Heavier generators which are usually better builds and more durable will require a beefier tower.

RPM (Revolutions Per Minute): This is the speed at which you can expect the turbine to turn at a given wind speed. Paradoxically you don’t necessarily want a high number here because slower RPM generators will typically last longer and run quieter. Since the alternator is matched to the RPM to ensure best energy output for the given speed a high RPM does not ensure high output.

Annual Energy Output: These are general numbers of what you can reasonably expect from a turbine at a given wind speed. Though they are helpful there are too many variables from site to site for them to be accurate for your specific site. Use them as a guide in comparing one turbine to another. It’s best to err on the side of caution and buy the unit that will give you somewhat more output than you are anticipating you’ll need.

There are other terms you’ll learn but these will get you started on your quest for the perfect wind generator to suit your needs. One term you shouldn’t pay attention to, according to Ian Woofenden, is rated or peak power which he says is a meaningless marketing ploy.

The total cost of your system will include the wind generator itself, the batteries, the tower, the inverter, and any costs you incur in installation and permits needed. Keep in mind that the cost of the other items can easily exceed the cost of the wind generator itself.

The controls for your wind power system are also important. Some wind generators include them as part of a package while some don’t because there are different needs for grid tied systems as opposed to off the grid systems. Make sure when comparing system prices that you’ve taken into account all the components you’ll need for any particular system.

The most important consideration is installation. Working with electrical systems can be a tricky and potentially deadly business. This is the one cost you don’t want to skimp. If you don’t have a good grounding in working with electrical systems it’s best to hire a contractor to help with this part of the installation. The height and weight of a wind system increases this challenge.

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You’ve decided you want to cut the cord to the coal burning power company and power your house with clean wind energy. What’s next?

Before you shop there are some questions you need answered.

• What are your current and peak power needs?
• How can those needs be reduced through conservation?
• What are your wind resources? What is the average annual wind speed?
• Site analysis–What’s good and what can be changed to ensure wind flow through a generator? Where is the best location? How high do you need to go?

Once you’ve got these questions answered you’ll be ready to shop.

Your current and peak power needs can be assessed by looking at your electric bills from the last couple years and gauging your average use and your peak time use. If you’re installing wind power at your existing home these will give you a fairly accurate assessment since they’re based on your actual usage and habits. If you are installing your wind generator for a new home you are building then there will be inevitable differences but your current home’s bills will at least give you a place to start.

The size of the wind generator you’ll need will determine the stoutness of the tower needed. Those two things together will determine the bulk of the price you pay. This is where energy conservation becomes important. The more energy you can conserve the smaller the generator and tower you will need. When pricing generators you’ll find that this can make a considerable difference.

Determining your average annual wind speed is critical, but also difficult for the homeowner who can’t afford a properly done full scale and very expensive wind resource assessment. Prior to your assessment consult with your local municipality to ensure that there are no height or zoning restrictions on your chosen site.

There are some resources that are available that may allow a reasonable assessment of your site without that much expense. Most states offer the loan of an anemometer, which is a tool used to gauge wind speed. Local airports also have wind speed data available. The US Department of Energy has Wind Resource Maps that will help, as well as links to other resources such as state anemometer loan programs. Ideally you’ll want to collect data over a significant period of time but few people will collect data for the two or three years that will typically give the best idea of what wind is available.

Geological differences may cause one spot on your property to be windier than another. Trees and hills and mountains will change wind flow. Make sure to try different areas on the property to determine where the wind blows with the least obstruction.

Once you’ve determined that your average wind speed is greater than 8 mph and that a wind generator is worth the investment then you have all the information you need to start shopping for your home wind generator.

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Over the last few decades, solar energy has become increasingly popular in the western states of the US. Solar energy revolves around harnessing radiant light from the sun to power our activities of daily living. Solar energy has been used in cars, planes, and even boats with varying degrees of success although vast improvements have been made over the last two decades. Solar energy has been used in applications such as heating, cooking, storing energy in large energy cells and can even be used on individual residential houses with the proper equipment. The most common way to capture solar energy is through the use of solar cells. Solar cells became increasingly popular during the 1980s when people began placing them atop their houses to reduce the cost of electricity. However, this proved to be ineffective versus the actual cost of placement, and solar energy lost its momentum. However, during the mid 1990s, with the start of the green energy movement in an attempt to reduce greenhouse gasses and pollution in general, solar power once again became a focal point for alternative energy forms.

Solar Energy Farms

During the present, some vast land owners in the western states of the US are creating large scale solar farms. Solar farms consist of acre upon acre of solar panels set up to a subset of a local power grid. The sub-grid will sell its energy to the local power grid, which will pass this power onto its consumers. Solar power farms have the potential to supply entire towns with enough energy to power almost everything imaginable. However, there are some opponents of these solar power farms who have concerns for the environment. Because the solar farms will take up such large amounts of land, some feel this will unsettle the ecological homeostasis of the environment around these large solar farms. However, research has been shown that environments surrounding solar power farms show minimal damage when compared with harvesting other sources of energy.

The Future of Solar Power

Everyday there are gains made to increase the ability for solar energy to be more useful. Batteries are being developed that are capable of storing larger amounts of energy so power can be stored or even transported if need be. As the world continues to look for more forms of alternative energy, solar power will once again become one of the main forerunners in the industry.

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In the world today, energy use and conservation is one of the most talked-about issues. Whether you live in a big city or out in the country, making the most of our resources and sustaining our way of life is not far from our minds. What does energy conservation mean for each of us, why is saving energy so important, and what can we do to save energy?

Energy Conservation Defined

Before we talk about how to conserve energy and the associated benefits, we need a good working definition. One of the most accepted definitions of energy conservation is a “reduction in the energy consumed in a process or system, or by an organization or society, through economy, elimination of waste, and rational use.” There is no one single method for saving energy, nor is there one place where we waste energy. Effective conservation happens when we focus on the big picture as well as our own homes.

Why Conserve Energy?

Surprisingly, many people ask that very question each day. For most of us, we won’t change our energy consumption habits unless we see the benefit. Saving money makes the most compelling argument for energy conservation. Taking action at home and on your daily commute makes a difference in how much you spend each year on energy. Conserving energy reduces the need to build more coal-fired or nuclear plants to meet demand, paid for with your tax dollars. Building fewer plants and using less energy also reduces the amount of pollution released into our air and water, preserving our environment and lowering our health risks. Finally, energy conservation now means more resources available for future generations. Coal, oil, and other non-renewable energy sources are depleting rapidly, and conservation provides the opportunity to find or create sources of renewable energy before these sources run out.

What You Can Do to Conserve

Saving energy is easier than you think! Simple steps such as turning off the TV, computer, and lights when not in use, and unplugging infrequently used appliances make a meaningful difference in your utility bill each month. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates homeowners can save 25% a month off their utility costs by implementing these steps. Take energy conservation a step further by using surge protectors to turn off electrical devices at the source, replace old or inefficient appliances, and install programmable thermostats for more efficient heating and cooling. For a greater impact consider a home energy audit that evaluates the heating and air-conditioning systems, improving home insulation, and solar screens. Many large cities offer rebate programs or other incentives for participating in programs like these. If you drive, make sure to properly inflate your tires and drive at a reasonable speed for the best gas efficiency.

We live in an interconnected world, where steps we take locally have a global impact. Make a few changes to your daily routine and reap the benefits of using less energy and spending less, too. Energy conservation will succeed when everyone works together to make a difference for our future.

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Policy in many ways dictates developments in technology, and certainly it facilitates them or hinders them depending on the kind of policy made. Thus when a country introduces a new set of rights that encourage the development of green technologies, this is big news for the industry.

We have long tried to encourage green acts such as conservation of natural resources and energy and the development of cleaner green technology, and we have long tried to limit pollution and increase efficiency. Ever since science uncovered the serious impact that our plundering was having on the environment, moves have been made to try and spare as much of these resources as possible and to try and protect the wildlife that depend on them. However for the first time a country has decided to try and take this further and to grant nature the same ‘rights’ as humans. This Bolivian law, which is the first of its kind, is an attempt to trigger a paradigm shift that changes the way we view the environment and drastically increases conservation while reducing pollution and the exploitation of natural resources.

Among these rights, nature will be granted the right to life, the right to water, the right to clean air, the right to be free of pollution and the right to repair the livelihoods of those animals and plants affected by human endeavours – so not the exact same rights as humans but arguably equal.

This comes at a time when Bolivia – one of South Africa’s poorest countries – is struggling with climate changes that have caused crops to fail and lead to droughts and floods. To make matters worse the temperatures there are set to increase by four degrees over the next 100 years, while the glaciers are expected to melt within 20 years.

Of course this is a relatively abstract concept and how it would be implemented and what real-world impacts it would have remain to be seen. Certainly it doesn’t seem likely that nature will be suing anyone for impeding its human rights. However communities will be given the authorities necessary to monitor and control the local industries and businesses that are responsible for most pollution and damage to the environment. It is important though for these bodies to balance the need to protect the environment with the need for these industries that may significantly contribute to the countries economy in some cases.

The concept has been somewhat inspired by the indigenous populations whom the Bolivian government believe can teach industrial entities a lot about respect for the environment and of working with nature rather than plundering it. These indigenous cultures refer to a notion of ‘Pachamama’ which is a concept of Mother Earth, and the term is more and more finding itself a part of government discussions and documents. David Choquehuanca, the Bolivian Foreign Minister made the comment that Western development has lead to a ‘deathly wound’ to ‘Pachamama’. Presumably it is the intangible entity of Pachamama that will embody these rights.

This is not the first move the Bolivian government, under president Evo Morales, has made to try and ignite global change. Recently they called for all developed countries to give one percent of their GDP to poorer vulnerable countries. How successful this latest move to give more rights to natural resources is will remain to be seen – and only time will tell whether it incites a real change towards a more eco-conscious industry that results in the growth of green technologies, or whether it’s little more than lip service.

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Geothermal energy is a renewable source of energy that can be used in the place of fossil fuels in order to heat a property or object and is often used for keeping swimming pools at a pleasant temperature. It achieves this by heating water which it runs through a piping system deep underground and it does this completely free of charge and while creating no emissions. But how does it work?

The way that geothermal energy works can be understood by breaking down the etymology of the word. ‘Geothermal’ is a word made up of two parts those being ‘geo’ as in ‘geographic’ or ‘geology’, and ‘thermal’ as in ‘thermostat’ or ‘thermometer’. In other words this then is heat that comes from the ground and this heat is garnered originally from the sun.

As the sun is constantly shining onto the ground it is no surprise that over time this causes it to heat up. If you touch the ground right now then you won’t notice this because the soil on the surface will have been cooled down over time by a range of other effects – by the wind for instance and by the rain. As it is right on the surface it is easy for the heat to escape here (and interestingly this is actually way causes air to rise and for wind to be generated), however deeper underground this heat is well insulated and it stays warm much longer meaning that it’s almost constantly at a very high temperature.

Geothermal energy then takes full advantage of this by running a series of pipes through the ground and by pumping water through them. This water then heats up simply by being surrounded by the warm soil and it then retains this heat while it is returned to the surface to be used as a form of heating. This then means it can be run into radiators or used as warm water for a swimming pool and it won’t have cost any money to heat that water up or any non-renewable energy. The only other energy that you will be using will potentially be to pump the water through the piping and back up again – which would be significantly less than powering an electric boiler.

For geothermal energy to work there are certain requirements that must be met. For instance the piping must the piping needs to be significantly deep underground in order to get hot enough and the deeper you go the more powerful the energy source will be. This does present some obstacles in terms of how much energy can be garnered from geothermal energy which is why it’s currently used mostly only for small scale uses such as heating pools. However research is being done into ways to get around the considerable logistical and financial challenges of laying piping so deep underground. For instance in certain areas much hotter rock is found far closer to the Earth’s surface – in a part of Australia near Cooper Creek there is rock only two miles beneath the surface that is 455 degrees Fahrenheit – and it is believed that the Cooper River basin might be enough to provide 10,000 megawatts of electricity. This would be enough to replace 20 large power plants currently running on coal.

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Yet another convention involving a lot of geeks from the world over. If this is the thought crossing your mind right now, this is clearly not your cup of tea! But for those interested and curious ones out there, this is a very exciting opportunity. The Global Carbon Market and Green Energy Conference and Exhibition is a mammoth event being held in Dubai this coming July.

The Notitia Group, known for being a leader in information resources and events on business intelligence worldwide, is hosting the Conference from the 10^th to 13^th of July 2011 at Jumeirah Madinat in Dubai. After successful events like the E-world Energy and Water in February and the Carbon Markets Insights in March, this global conference is touted to be even
bigger in regard to carbon market and energy strategy discussions. In fact, this is the largest conference focused particularly on carbon markets and green energy, with over 1500 officials, experts and researchers from all corners of the world being a part of it.

A global carbon market setup helps several parts of the world enhance their activities on renewable energy sources. Many developed nations have given their conset to keep their emission rates in control with the creation of a standard in 1997 known as the Kyoto Protocol. In recent times, the trading of carbon emissions has been on the rise. Therefore, turning to the development of clean, green energy sources is another major topic of discussion at the upcoming conference.

Green energy or renewable energy is that obtained from natural sources like wind, rain, and sunlight. The term in itself explains what it is – a source of energy that can be regenerated naturally without having to resort to artificial production. Generating power, solar heating, and renewable fuels is efficiently possible with renewable energy sources. This renewable
energy or green energy capacity has been growing steadily over the last five to six years.

Some of the new, upcoming trends in green energy technology in the pipelines are:

• hot-dry-rock geothermal power (power from within the earth)
• ocean energy (from ocean waves)
• cellulosic ethanol (produced from plants)

The Global Carbon Markets and Green Energy Conference and Exhibition is a giant in terms of giving industrialists and researchers from all over the world a chance to have their say in the enhancement of green energy sources. The presence of Industry leaders, representatives from several nations’ governments, as well as engineers, scientists, project developers,
other experts and carbon market associations will make this event a lesson in taking the world energy and market structures to greater and better heights.

There are several renowned speakers who will present at the conference. To mention a few:

• Adam Simcock, CEO of Carbon Check in South Africa
• Aveek Banerjee, AVP of Power Exchange India Limited
• Margaret Sewell, Head of the Clean Energy Division of Dept of Resources, Energy and Tourism In Australia.
• Kenton Rogers, Sr. Consultant of Hi-Line Consultancy in UK
• Manesh Bharadwaj, VP of Jindal Power in India Saima Qadir, Carbon Finance Deal Manager of World Bank in USA

Here are some of the major topics of discussion at the event that you will not want to miss:

• Scheme’s for global emission trade
• Carbon Capture and Storage Sequestration or CCS
• Emerging trends such as geothermal, solar and bio-energy developments
• Raising and investing in carbon credits, creating innovative finance options
• An overall view of new products from across the globe
• Focus on the future – investments and developments in Europe, Asia, and North America.

So be there, learn, and help change the global market into a clean, green energy bazaar.

To register for the event, visit http://www.forestcarbonportal.com/sites/default/files/GCMGE%20Registration%20Form.pdf

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Wind energy is a renewable source of energy that will never run out and that doesn’t have any by-products. This makes it a far superior form of energy when compared to fossil fuels which are in short supply and which are gradually contributing to the effects of global warming. As it stands, 2% of the world’s electrical energy comes from wind turbines, but a lot more wind energy is also used for other purposes – for powering sail boats and kites, for powering windmills and for operating wind pumps. Meanwhile many households are these days also using miniature wind turbines in order to power their home appliances and other utilities. Every time a company, county or household – or even boat – decides to use wind energy as opposed to fossil fuels, they are saving a huge amount of money on utility bills, and at the same time decreasing the amount of damage they do to the planet by reducing their ‘carbon footprint’.

            So in other words wind energy is a gift. But where does this gift come from? How is it that we can get energy from the very air around us?

            Well essentially wind energy is kinetic energy. In other words, wind is really made from fast moving air particles and when these strike against things this is enough to transfer that kinetic energy and push propellers or lift kites. This works in the same way as tidal energy essentially then, with the propellers of wind turbines providing the same role as a hydroelectric dam.

            But why are these air particles moving so fast in the first place? Well like much of the Earth’s energy, it is really the sun that is responsible. This is because the sun heats up areas of land and these areas then absorb that heat. Once they get to a certain temperature however this then causes hot air to start to rise (because hot air weighs more than cooler air – due to the fact that faster moving air particles exert more pressure). In this way, heat energy from the sun and the ground has been converted into kinetic energy in the air.

            So this causes the hot air to rise, but as we know wind doesn’t just go up – it travels in various directions with some force. At the same time wind isn’t hot – so where do those cold gusts come from? Well essentially this comes from the cold air that was previously on top of that hot air – when the warmer air moves up, this leaves a void and the colder air rushes down to fill that and that’s what causes the wind that we feel on our face and in our hair. Crucially that is also what powers wind turbines and windmills.

            This then gives us energy in the form of fast moving air particles, and when they collide with the rotors on a wind turbine this causes them to turn and to power the generators that utilise electromagnetic induction in order to convert that movement into electric voltage by turning a conductor (usually coiled wire) quickly between magnets, thus giving us energy that we can use in our homes or businesses for any application.

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Most people are familiar with terms such as energy conservation, efficient energy usage, global warming, carbon footprint and greenhouse effect. What they lack is a specific knowledge of the difference and significance of these terms individually. Very few people can point out what the difference between energy conservation and energy efficiency is.

We all know that using up non renewable sources of energy such as fossil fuel, oil and coal will leave us with limited resources of energy in future. Therefore, it is necessary to switch to unlimited energy sources such as sunlight, water, and wind.

Energy conservation refers to the reduction in energy consumption for every individual, entity or group, whereas energy efficiency is to use the same resources of energy in a more efficient manner to derive more energy out of the same amount of resource.

Here are some easy-to-follow steps for everyone to conserve energy and use it in a more judicious fashion:

Energy efficient electrical appliances

Switch to energy efficient light bulbs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs provide the same level of light compared to incandescent ones but consume much less power while doing so. For those who do not appreciate white light in their surrounding, the CFL bulbs come in yellow as well.

Thermostats are important for any electrical appliances, especially for refrigerators, air conditioners and heaters. They save energy when the appliance has been set to a certain parameter by the user by avoiding overdrawing electricity unnecessarily.

Efficient travelling

Instead of buying a car to go to work, take the subway. This will reduce your carbon footprint on the planet considerably. You can practice a carpool service while dropping off and picking up your kids. Take turns with other parents to take this responsibility on a daily basis so that every parent does not need to drive a car to run their kids around the city. Use electronic motorized vehicles such as smart cars or CNG powered ones to save on car fuel.

Enterprise energy management system

Use the enterprise energy management software in your office to keep track of real-time electricity consumption so that you can use energy more efficiently and conserve it at the same time.

Reduction of carbon footprint

Every person or organization must strive towards reducing their carbon footprint on the planet. A carbon footprint refers to the volume of carbon dioxide emitted by the entity via their activities. There are parameters used to calculate this footprint and steps that can be taken to reduce it. Using energy efficient technology at home, reconstruction buildings by incorporating renewable sources of energy such as solar panels and hydro electrical units are some of them.

Replacing non-renewable energy sources with renewable ones

We all know how the reserves of non renewable sources of energy are depleting everyday at an alarming rate. Unless we do something to change our lifestyle and switch to energy efficient activities and use alternative energy sources such as sunlight, water power and wind energy, there will be nothing left for the future generations to use.

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The All-Energy Exhibition Conference is a large annual conference held in the UK and dedicated to all forms of alternative renewable energy. Since it’s first conference in 2001 the conference has grown steadily and it is now the largest conference of its type in the UK – the largest event at all devoted to clean energy forms. In 2010 the conference enjoyed its 10^th anniversary and featured in excess of 7,000 visitors. It now looks forward to the 2011 show which will be taking place on 18-19 May 2011 in Aberdeen, Scotland. The All-Energy Exhibition Conference as the name suggests is both an exhibition and a conference giving it an important dual purpose.

            For all visitors the All-Energy Exhibition Conference is completely free of charge whatever your interest in green technology and this is a great opportunity to learn about how to implement renewable energy in your own business or home as well as to stay abreast  of all the latest developments and news in the world of green technology. Among the individuals expected to attend are developers, power companies, architects, journalists, consultants, oil and gas suppliers, the forest industry, farmers and landowners, government representatives and more. You can also expect to be among people from all around the world as this is a truly global event.

            Meanwhile for exhibitors looking to demonstrate their products and services to thousands of interested visitors including representatives from the press and other key individuals. All-Energy 2011 will incorporate businesses providing equipment, services and more. You can expect to find here services and prodcuts necessary for offshore wind, hydro, wave and tidal, hydrogen, fuel cells, biomass, biofuel and other forms of energy – whether this is pumps, solar panels, wind turbines or even just information and consultation.

            For instance ‘Armpair Energy LTD’ will be using the conference to demonstrate their ‘Helipod’ packaged power solution, which they describe as a ‘heli-lifatable’ solar and wind powered energy supply which can be used to power remote equipment and which is intended to replace diesel powered power generators currently used in remote site applications.

            Thus for any business looking to promote their renewable energy services and products this is the perfect venue to take their tradeshow displays and to generate leads, while for businesses and individuals who want to be on the cutting edge of renewable power supplies this is also an opportunity not to be missed.

            The conference aspect of the event is free for all to attend and enlightening talks can be enjoyed by experts in the field on offshore wind, Hydrogen fuel cells, smart grids, carbon capture, tidal power, sustainable transport, microgeneration, farming, power storage, district heating and more. The talks should be informative and educational, as well as helping to address key issues in the green energy industry. It is through such meetings of minds that it is possible for us to move forward in the industry and that lead to some of the major breakthroughs that help us to come closer and closer to shedding our dependency on non-renewable energy sources. For more information on the conference and exhibition visit the All-Energy Exhibition Conference website.

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