After three years, U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory succeeded in creating this new wind power harnessing generator that has the potential to save $500 to $800 per year for every homeowner and provide 40 to 90 percent of an average home’s energy requirements.
The Shystream 3.7 is the first wind generator designed for grid-connected residential markets. Electricity is produced directly by connecting it to the home energy supply complementing power from the electric utility company.
The technology also produces saleable electricity to the utility or for use at a later date. Even when the wind is not blowing, the home is powered by the electric utility.
Robert Thresher, director of NREL’s National Wind Technology Center says:
This new technology is an important step forward for small wind. As technology becomes more efficient at harnessing energy at low wind speeds, small-scale users will become more and more able to take advantage of wind power.
The overcall cost of the generator plus installation is US$8,000 to US$10,000. However, its benefits are enormous which outweighs its downside in the price. The technology can also be credited for making wind energy available mainstream.
Via: Gizmag
