Here are 4 diversified project case studies illustrating how small wind systems can make a difference.
Small Wind Case Studies
Contributed by | Southwest Windpower
Wind-solar hybrid powers São Paulo telecom tower
AIR Breeze and solar panels generate 100% of power needs for a telecom transmission tower.
Customer
Skynet Telecomunicações, LTDA is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) based in Cajuru, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objectives
- Provide reliable, continuous off-grid power
- No grid reliance
- Clean power generation
Project Requirements
- Clean energy to power a battery bank autonomously
- Meet daily energy demands of the site: 6,000 watt hours per day
Site Details
- Average annual wind speed: 3.5-5.0 m/s (8-11 mph)1
- Average solar insolation: 4.5-5 kWh/m2/day2
- Location: -21.279777,-47.171574
- Install date: May 2012
Solution
- One AIR Breeze, mounted on top of PV array
- Three 125-watt solar panels
- Eight 12-volt 100 Ah batteries
- Turbine provides clean, ready-to-use DC power (no external inverter or controller required)
- Easy installation
- Energy system cost: $13,000 (turbine, solar PV, electrical post, cables, steel brackets, crane mounting, batteries, regulators, control panel, etc.)
Benefits
- Hybrid system allows for battery-charging off-grid stability
- Provides stable operation of off-grid telecom site
- Independent from utility connection
- Meets daily on site energy demand Partners
- Energia Pura
- City of Cássia dos Coqueiros, state of São Paulo
Jefferson County, Colorado wind-solar parking lot light lights
High visibility wind-solar hybrid parking lot lights provide safety lighting and reduce electric costs.
Customer
Jefferson County, Colo., the fourth most populated county in Colorado, is located along the Front Range of the Denver metro area. The county campus houses county administrative buildings, courts and a detention center. Lighting was required for a new overflow parking lot at the detention center.
Objectives
- Reduce overall campus electricity consumption
- Provide safety lighting to a 150-car parking lot
- Demonstrate renewable energy technologies
Project Requirements
- Less costly solution than running electric lines to the site
- Adequate light output to meet safety requirements
Site Details
- Location: 39.730583,-105.202022
- Average annual wind speed: 4.5m/s (10 mph)*
- Average solar insolation: 4.5 kWh/m2/day*
Solution
- Nine 12V AIR Breeze units, 5.5 m (18 ft) steel light poles
- Nine 170-230 watt PV panels
- 35 watt high-efficiency LED lights
- Aesthetically pleasing, integrated design
- Turbines provide clean, ready-to-use AC power (no external inverter or controller required)
- “Behind the meter” connection reduces campus’ utility energy costs
Benefits
- Saved $22,000 to install vs. grid-powered lights
- Zero utility costs
- Provides light for safety; 100% up-time
- Public demonstration of wind and solar
Partners
- Next Generation Energy
- McKinstry
Criosfera 1: Powering through the Antarctic winter
Powering critical data acquisition and transmission from the world’s most extreme environment.
Customer
The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) of Brazil manages the country’s climate research and space programs. The Criosfera 1 research station autonomously monitors weather data from Antarctica for research about pollution’s impact on climate change.
Objectives
- Provide an autonomous low-power system for year-round data collection and transmission
Project Requirements
- Continuous operation in extreme cold and wind with extended periods of darkness
- Harsh and distant location requires an absolutely maintenance-free energy system to meet the station’s load requirement of 1,900 Wh/day
Site Details
- Location: -83.999787,-79.494338
- Install date: January 2012
Solution
- Four AIR Breeze 24 V turbines, pole mounted
- Four 175 W PV panels, side mounted
- Eight deep cycle batteries
Benefits
- Reliable, maintenance-free operation
- Continuous data monitoring and transmission
- Eliminates fuel dependence, zero emissions
Partner
- Energia Pura
Hybrid system ensures broadband services in Ireland
AIR 30, solar panels offset high utility costs and secure broadband connection in County Kerry, Ireland.
Customer
Tralee, Ireland-based Kerry Broadband Ltd. is an Internet and phone provider (ISP). The company brings broadband
solutions to rural communities in Kerry County.
Objectives
- Renewable system must be self-reliant with controls to prevent damage
- No grid dependence, entirely eliminate utility costs
- Plug and play equipment for simple installation
Project Requirements
- Redundant, reliable off-grid power to connect over 1,000 customers with wireless broadband
- Meet daily energy demands of the site
Site Details
- Average annual wind speed: 15.3 m/s (34 mph)
- Average solar insolation: 1,000-1,200 kWh/m2/year1
- Location: 52.181669,-9.981694
- Install date: March 2010
Solution
- One AIR 30, mounted on top of a two-inch steel pipe attached to a 10 m (33 ft) tower
- Two 200 watt solar panels for backup
- Three 1,800 Ah deep cycle 24 volt batteries
- Turbine provides clean, ready-to-use DC power (no external inverter or controller required)
- Easy installation
- Project cost: approximately $4,900 (turbine, solar panels, and batteries)
Benefits
- Hybrid system allows for battery-charging off-grid stability
- Power supply for a wireless broadband repeater
- Independent from utility connection
- Meets daily on site demand of 2,000 watt hours per day
Partners
- Smart Telecom Ltd (National Backhaul Provider)
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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