A Real Energy Solution Has Arrived

Earlier this year, Honeywell unveiled a revolutionary wind energy system designed for home and business use. The system, developed by Windtronics and licensed to Honeywell, is being distributed through Ace Hardware Stores across the US. According to the Honeywell’s product brochure “The Honeywell Wind Turbine is a gearless wind turbine that measures just 6 feet in diameter, weighs 170 lbs (77 kgs) and is able to produce 2752 kWh/yr in Class 4 winds representing over 20% percent of an average household’s annual electricity needs.” The fact that the turbine is gearless is the most significant feature of its efficiency and lightweight build; ordinary turbines convert physical forces to electrical currents through a complicated series of gears. Consequently, a significant amount of energy is lost due to friction and mechanical resistance. This means that the Honeywell Wind Turbine generates more energy and at lower wind speeds; electricity is produced at a minimum wind of 2mph, compared to the 7.5mph or traditional wind turbines.

The system currently costs $4500, putting it out of the financial range for most consumers. Paying $4500 for a system that produces 2000kWh in a year means an investment return after 13 years. This is an achievement in itself considering the 25 year industry standard. The Honeywell Wind Turbine may not be flying off the shelves, but it is one of the some significant alternative resource technologies I have ever come across because:

• The turbine is small, quiet, and efficient even under calm weather conditions.
• Owners will recoup their investment in half the time of other alternative energy systems.
• The system isn’t 5, 10, 15 years in the future, it is on shelves now.

I hope to find, that in the coming decade, innovations and practical products like this become frequent and abundant. Maybe then we can begin to see a change in the way we use energy.

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