Wind farms, is it possible to set up something to run just my farm? Why is it so expensive?

Question

There are so many working windmills around here used in pastures for watering livestock. I know this is not the same, but I would just like to know the basics, is it possible to set up something for a single farm?

Thanks for your time.

Answer 1

THE WINDMILLS/TURBINES AND TOWERS THEY ARE MOUNTED ON ARE QUITE EXPENSIVE AS IS MAINTENENCEAND UPKEEP, TAKES LOTS OF MONEY TO GET STARTED.Most major forms of electricity generation are capital intensive, meaning that they require substantial investments at project inception, and low ongoing costs (generally for fuel and maintenance). This is particularly true for wind and hydro power, which have fuel costs close to zero and relatively low maintenance costs; in economic terms, wind power has an extremely low marginal cost and a high proportion of up-front capital costs. The estimated "cost" of wind energy per unit of production is generally based on average cost per unit, which incorporates the cost of construction, borrowed funds, return to investors (including cost of risk), estimated annual production, and other components. Since these costs are averaged over the projected useful life of the equipment, which may be in excess of twenty years, cost estimates per unit of generation are highly dependent on these assumptions. Figures for cost of wind energy per unit of production cited in various studies can therefore differ substantially. The cost of wind power also depends on several other factors, such as installation of power lines from the wind farm to the national grid and the frequency of wind at the site in question.

Estimates for cost of production use similar methodologies for other sources of electricity generation. Existing generation capacity represents sunk costs, and the decision to continue production will depend on marginal costs going forward, not estimated average costs at project inception. For example, the estimated cost of new wind power capacity may be lower than that for "new coal" (estimated average costs for new generation capacity) but higher than for "old coal" (marginal cost of production for existing capacity). Therefore, the choice to increase wind capacity by building new facilities will depend on more complex factors than cost estimates, including the profile of existing generation capacity.

Research from a wide variety of sources in various countries shows that support for wind power is consistently between 70 and 80

Answer 2

The old Aermotors are great for pumping water. One of the best designs ever.

There are all sorts and sizes of mills for off-grid electricity, but solar panels might be better if you have access to power. More even supply and reliability.

Answer 3

I'm no expert. but the windmills you see for watering cattle are like pinwheels compared to the turbines you see in the wind farms.  They are big, and sturdy, and precision machined.  The concrete base they are mounted on is a major construction project.  All that means serious money.

Answer 4

those huge turbines are for cities so that knuckle head talking about them is a doucshe. you on the other hand need genoraters correct? they sell them from 500 dollars to 5000 dollars, wind powered genoraters are made from propellers conneted to a simple generator easy to make if you go thte right equipment, over all good investment that will pay you back everyday its used!

Answer 5

....both the mechanical and electrical components of a wind generating power windmill are far far more complex and much more expensive than a water device........this does not work on a small scale at all.

Answer 6

yes you can make a design for single farm as long there is a continuous wind that can spin the wheel to draw water, in our country it is called wind pump.Consult  an agricultural engineer in your area for the design and cost of contruction of the wind mill

Answer 7

They are expensive, but if you can get the money to install one, they would be a great investment.  One would supply all the power that you need for your farm and you would generate extra income selling excess power back to the electric company.

Another suggestion that would be a lot cheaper would be to look into solar panels.  These new "thin film" panels are a lot cheaper and do a good job.  Again excess power can be sold to the electric company.  Good Luck.

Answer 8

Amish farms always have them. They need power to chill milk they want to sell commercially and do not like the idea of modern machinery. They also use windpower for pumping water to fill animal drinking tanks and to irrigate fields.

And no they are not large ones suitable for a city but they are obviously great for farms.

Answer 9

Hi

It obviously depends on the size and location of your farm. Arable or livestock.

Here is some basic info for you

http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inven...

http://www.newfarm.org/features/0404/win...

I hope this is of help. if you pay my airfare I will come and supervise the job for you   LOL