Barnett Shale Windfall to Wind Power - Part 2

Kent received his first royalty check from the drilling nearby. Here was a cash infusion, several thousand dollars. A big screen TV, shopping spree at Home Depot, and many other thoughts crossed his mind. What are we doing? Taking the royalties from non-renewable energy and using it to fund a renewable energy project.

The money was used to buy a Southwest Windpower turbine. My father has the AirX model. Retail, $400-600. Ever thrifty, he bought one used. Technical details on the wind power generator can be found here.

Features of our wind turbine include:

• Carbon Fiber Composite Blades
• Aircraft quality aluminum alloy castings
• Exclusive Brush-less neodymium cubic curve alternator
• Sophisticated internal battery charge regulator
• Maintenance-free - Only two moving parts
• Exclusive Auto-brake-feature that slows the AIR to a silent spin when the batteries are charged thus extending bearing life and reducing noise.
• High Wind Safe Mode - Automatically slows turbine in potentially damaging winds and reduces noise.
• Quiet Operation.

Specifications include:

• Rotor Diameter: 46" (1.14 meters)
• Weight: 13 lbs (6kg)
• Start up wind speed: 7mph (3 m/s)
• Voltage: 12 & 24 VDC max
• Output: 400 watts at 28mph (12.5 m/s)

Below is a stock picture of our Air X Turbine. Unfortunately, even though we now have the turbine it can't put out power sitting on the floor of the garage. We're in the process of getting blades suitable for the site, and a tower to hold it all.