Saving Power to Save Money

Saving Power to Save Money

Cost Savings Offered For Energy Producers By Vertical Axis Wind Turbines

by Cameron Carter

Companies engaged in the production of energy can maximize wind energy's profitability by cutting back on operating expenses and avoiding gaps in productivity caused by equipment maintenance needs.

Two of the most common types of wind turbines are the vertical axis wind turbine and the horizontal axis wind turbine. Vertical turbines are known for their suitability to situations where wind direction is variable and where wind turbine height must be limited because of architectural or natural obstacles in the surrounding area. Vertical axis turbines feature a rotor shaft that is structured vertically and relatively low to the ground. This vertical construction makes it so that the turbine's direction does not need to change with wind direction to continue energy production. 

Vertical axis turbines generally feature lower production, maintenance, and construction costs in comparison to horizontal axis turbines for the following reasons:

Lower placement of generator and gearbox

On a vertical axis wind turbine, vital equipment like the generator and gearbox are usually placed at the base of the turbine near the ground. This means that equipment is easier to access for maintenance needs. It's also safer to access, because workers don't need to access equipment placed in extremely elevated locations.

Because equipment is easier to access, labor and maintenance costs associated with repairing and servicing vertical axis turbines are lower. 

Less need for maintenance

Because vertical axis turbines can produce energy regardless of wind direction, they don't need to be reoriented according to changing wind patterns. This means that they don't rely on pitch mechanisms or yew drives to continue operating. 

Vertical axis turbines therefore have less fragile equipment mechanisms that are susceptible to breaking down and needing service. This allows vertical axis wind turbine operators to save money on service and to avoid downtime when equipment is not operating properly and the turbine is not producing electricity. 

Easier to transport

Vertical axis wind turbines tend to be smaller and more compact than horizontal axis wind turbines. This means that they are easier to install and transport. It also means that they can be installed in urban areas more easily than horizontal axis turbines that take up more space.

Because vertical turbines tend to operate at slower speeds than horizontal turbines, they are less likely to harm wildlife and humans, and this makes them more favorable among animal rights activists who have expressed concerns over wind turbines' dangers for migrating flocks of birds and other wildlife. 


Share

About Me

Saving Power to Save Money

Few things are more frustrating than spending your entire summer vacation budget on air conditioning. Unfortunately, if you live in the hotter parts of the country, you might be faced with living in a mega-hot environment or suffering through a few tight budgeting months. I found myself in this same situation a few years ago, so I decided to start working hard to figure out how to conserve power. I worked with my local power company to solve the problem, and I was amazed to see how much of a difference it made with my monthly bills. This blog is all about saving power to save money.