At some point in your life, you are bound to see a wind turbine or two. These wind-harnessing structures have become extremely popular in recent years, as they are one of the more common sources of renewable energy solutions. However, they are typically used on a large scale. Now, more and more innovative thinkers and inventors are scaling them down for urban and residential applications. Soon, we will be saying goodbye to solar panels in the world and saying hello to the 4 kW from this home wind turbine.

Say hello to our little friend

The world is transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind energy, which means wind turbines are emerging all over. They harness wind energy and use its kinetic energy to produce electricity, and they come in all shapes and sizes. According to AIS Wind Energy, the most common turbine you will see is the horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT). A HAWT has a horizontal axis with large blades that spin around its central hub. Unfortunately, these common turbines have a few disadvantages:

  • They require an expanse of land, which limits applicability
  • They are hazardous to wildlife such as birds and bats
  • They contribute to noise pollution

So what are we to do? Enter our little friend, the Urban Green Energy wind turbine, or UGE-4K, for short. UGE-4K is a vertical-axis wind turbine (VAWT) – an uncommon turbine type. VAWTs have an axis that is perpendicular to the ground and they differ in the most rewarding ways.

Dynamite comes in small packages

The UGE-4K requires a swept area of 13.8 square miles. It is approximately 4.60 meters in height and 3.00 meters in width and only weighs 461 kg. That is as light as a feather in comparison to the traditional wind turbine that typically weighs between 240 – 340 tonnes! Some might believe that something so small cannot be nearly as powerful. Just remember, dynamite comes in small packages.

The UGE-4K has the following specs:

  • A power rating of 20,000 W
  • A RPM of 110
  • An output of 4 kW

The turbine’s blades are manufactured from carbon fiber and fiberglass, which makes the UGE-4K flexible in its design, resistant to corrosion, and extremely durable for its size. The turbine will start operating at wind speeds of 3.5 m/s and will continue up to  30 m/s. Its durability allows it to survive harsh conditions, such as wind speeds of 55 m/s.

So much more than just a wind turbine

VAWTs such as the UGE-4K are becoming increasingly popular, especially when compared to solar panels. According to Kestrel Wind Energy, wind turbines are considered more efficient than solar panels, because they have lower carbon emissions. This means, UGE-4K will have us saying goodbye to solar panels, especially considering its other benefits.

Benefits of UGE-4K

  • Its noise is 38 dB at speeds of 12 m/s, significantly less than traditional turbines
  • It poses a smaller threat to wildlife due to its smaller size
  • It has higher application possibilities, especially in urban and residential environments
  • It requires less maintenance due to its higher resistance to corrosion
  • It’s less of an eyesore than traditional turbines
  • It powers small to medium devices and appliances such as LED lights, computers, TVs
  • It can produce power during the nighttime or in overcast weather

It goes without saying, but we will say it anyhow. Wind turbines (especially VAWTs) are significant alternative energy sources to fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas. They will help move the global transition to renewable energy sources by lowering our dependence on fossil fuels, therefore lowering our overall carbon footprint. Thanks to vertical axis wind turbines such as UGE-4K, going green has never been easier before!