Windpower Technologies, LLC.
Turnkey Wind Farms, Community Wind Farms &
Wind Farm Development
E-mail: info @ WindpowerTechnologies .com
Tel. (832) 758-0027

Cooler, Cleaner, Greener Power & Energy Solutions

Home | Contact Us | Links

 
 




 

 

Introduction to Wind Energy
www.IntroductionToWindEnergy.com

January 12 – 14, 2009

The Wind Energy Institute will hold the next Wind Energy Introduction course in Lubbock, Texas on Monday, January 12, 2009 through Wednesday January 14, 2009.  This 3-day course is an ideal introduction into all aspects of the wind energy industry.

Our course includes an introduction and overview of the following topics.

  • Benefits of Wind Energy   

  • History of Windmills and Wind Energy

  • Wind Energy Fundamentals

  • Wind Turbine Safety & Wind Farm Safety

  • Electrical Circuit Fundamentals

  • Basic Digital Circuits

  • Synchronous Generators/Asynchronous Generators

  • Fluid Power & Hydraulics

  • Wind Energy OSHA Standards

  • SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition)

  • Wind Farm Development 

  • Wind Turbine Efficiencies 

  • Wind Turbine Operations

  • International Emissions Trading

  • Wind Science & Engineering

  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Credits & Carbon Trading 

  • Wind Turbines & Wind Energy Conversion Systems

  • 2-Bladed Wind Turbines Versus 3-Bladed Wind Turbines

  • The Urgent Need for a "Transmission Superhighway"

On day three, course participants will be offered the opportunity to climb to the top of our onsite 50 meter high Vestas Wind Turbine tower. You will also be able to enter the wind turbine nacelle and learn the inner workings of the wind turbine. This portion of the course will stress the importance of wind turbine safety and climbing safety.

Registration and Payment Information:  Call our office at (806) 747-8734 to reserve your place. All Major Credit Cards Accepted. SPACE LIMITED TO 25 APPLICANTS! Course Fee – When payment is received on or before:

November 30, 2008…………………………………..         $  695.00
December 31, 2008…………………………………..         $  895.00
January 9, 2009 ………………………………………        $1,095.00
January 12, 2009 …………………………..…………        $1,295.00

Lubbock is the home of Texas Tech University and Buddy Holly. Many major hotels available.  Lunch provided.  All other meals, travel and lodging not provided.

More information at:  www.IntroductionToWindEnergy.com


Wind Energy Institute
Located at the American Wind Power Center

1701 Canyon Lake Drive       Lubbock, Texas 79403

Tel.  (806) 747 – 8734   www.WindEnergyInstitute.com Tel.  (806) 747 – 8734   www.WindEnergyInstitute.com Info@WindEnergyInstitute.com


COURSE REGISTRATION FORM

Introduction to Wind Energy
www.IntroductionToWindEnergy.com

January 12 – 14, 2009

Course fee includes lunch each day, course notes, and certification of completion. Course fee is based on date we receive payment.  Course fee is based on our receiving payment and this completed form by the following dates:  

November 30, 2008…………………..         $  695.00
December 31, 2008………....………..         $  895.00
January 9, 2009 ………………………        $1,095.00
January 12, 2009 …………..…………        $1,295.00

Total submitted with this registration form: $_________

Payment Information: □ AMEX □ VISA □ MC □ Company Check

Card#_________________________________ 

Exp. Date: _______  

3 digit code on back of card  _______

Cardholder’s name: _______________________________

Registrant’s Name: ____________________________________ 

Job Title: ______________________________

Company Name:  ______________________________

Business Address: _______________________________________________ 

Dept. / Mail Stop: _____________

City: __________________________ State: ____________ Zip: _____________


If paying by credit card, provide your credit card billing address below, if different from above:

Address: _______________________________________________ 


City: _______________________ State: ____________ Zip: _____________


Your e-Mail Address: _______________________________________


Phone/Ext: ______________________________________ 

Fax: _____________________


Your company’s website:  www.____________________________________


Nature of company’s business: ________________________ 


Number of employees at your company: _______


Please make checks payable to: The Wind Energy Institute 

and mail to:  1701 Canyon Lake    Lubbock, Texas 79403

including this registration form

The following cancellation fees apply:    

                    On or before:     December 12, 2008:          25% of course fee
                                                  December 13th – 23rd        35% of course fee
                                                  December 24th - 31st          50% of course fee
                                                  January 1st – 9th 2009        75% of course fee
                                                 
                                                   No refunds after January 9, 2009


Interested in Learning More About Wind Turbines or 
Wind Farm Development Services?

Come see our own "onsite" Vestas Wind Turbine Generator and meet our
wind farm development team to learn more about us and how we can help you develop either a Community-owned Wind Farm or a Utility Scale Wind Farm !

This is our Vestas Wind Turbine Generator
that we installed here over 3 years ago.  

Our wind turbine generator generates about 600 kW more "green power"
than we need here, so we sell the excess power to the grid.

We provide turnkey wind farm development services. 
Call (832) 758 - 0027 to schedule an appointment


Since 1997, we have owned the industry's most strategic and important internet addresses relating to renewable energy technologies, renewable energy products and renewable energy services. Some of these leading website addresses and intellectual properties may be available for lease or target market advertising opportunities. 

None are available for sale.

To inquire about a specific website address and its availability, please send an email with your contact information and the website address(es) you are interested in leasing, to our company Attorney and Administrator of Intellectural Properties: Mr. R.A. Webb at: RAWebbLaw@aol.com  or call (512) 220 -1498


We Develop Utility Scale Wind Farms,
Community Wind Farms,
& High Voltage Transmission Lines

and are "vendor neutral" in terms of wind turbine manufacturer. Our sole focus is in maximizing revenues and minimizing expenses for our clients.

Call (832) 758 - 0027 for more information

Renewable Energy Technologies' focus is on renewable energy and developing projects that generate environmental credits such as Certified Emission Reductions, Verified Emission Reductions, Carbon Dioxide Credits, or other types of Greenhouse Gas Emissions credits. 

Our onsite power and energy projects produce the following benefits:

     1.  Reduced power and energy expenses for our customers
     2.  Healthy returns on investment for our investors, and
     3.  Significant savings for our environment
 

Got Wind Turbines?
www.GotWindTurbines.com

We do! Why wait 2-3 years for wind turbines?

Start generating "Pollution Free Power," 
"Carbon Free Energy," kWh's & $$$$
with our Wind Turbines!

Windpower Technologies, LLC.
Turnkey Wind Farms & Community Wind Farms

According to the American Wind Energy Association (www.awea.org)

  • The U.S. added nearly 1,400 megawatts of new wind energy capacity during the second quarter of 2008. 

  • New wind turbines this year will generate 7,500 megawatts of additional electricity which surpasses the 5,249 megawatts installed in 2007.

  • Wind power accounted for more than one-third of the new electric generating capacity installed in the U.S. in 2007.

  • The wind industry is projected to grow at a 45 percent pace for the second straight year.

  • For every megawatt (MW) of wind energy produced, $1 million in economic development is generated. This includes revenue from planning, construction, etc. 

  • Wind energy revitalizes rural communities by providing steady income through lease and royalty payments to farmers and other landowners.

  • Supplemental income: It is estimated that the income to a landowner from a single utility-scale turbine is approximately $2000 per year. For a 250-acre farm with income from wind at $55 per acre, this translates into an annual income from wind leases of $14,000, with no more than 2-3 acres removed from production.

  • Jobs: Wind energy resources bring needed jobs to rural communities and bolster farm incomes against bad weather. Worldwide, wind and solar industries are likely to be one of the main sources of new manufacturing jobs in the 21st century.

  • Wind energy costs for consumers are low and stable. This is particularly beneficial for those on fixed incomes.

  • As wind energy production becomes more efficient, costs will decline, while fossil fuel prices are expected to rise. 

  • Wind energy is a widespread, inexhaustible resource: 46 of 50 states have wind resources that could be developed.

  • Low emissions: Reduces smog and eliminates a major source of acid rain; could reduce total US emissions of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) by 1/3 and world emissions by 4%. 

  • Potential for growth: Development of just 10% of 10 of the windiest states could provide more than enough energy to displace emissions from coal-fired power plants.

  • Cleaner air means healthier air, especially for people with respiratory disabilities.

For more information on our Turnkey Wind Farms, Utility Scale Wind Farms, Community Wind Farms and our American-made Wind Turbines, 
call (832) 758 - 0027.

Windpower Technologies, LLC. is a Texas Limited Liability Company.

Windpower Technologies, LLC. develops, acquires, owns and operates Wind Farms and Community Wind Farms in the U.S. and Canada. 

We provide the following Wind Energy and Wind Power products and services, some through our strategic partners or company suppliers:

Land And Ranch Owners 
Interested in Wind Turbines 
& Generating a New Income, 
Call Us for More Information

If you are a land owner with at least 100 acres and interested in having one or more wind turbines installed on your property, please provide us with the following information so we can determine whether your property qualifies for an initial, no-cost assessment.

1. Owner's Name __________________________________

    Name of ranch/property ________________________

2. Address _______________________________

    city ______________              

    state ______    

    zip _________ 

3. Phone ____________

4. Email address __________________

5. Approximate acreage available for wind turbines __________

6. Would you be willing to have a small wind speed testing tower on your property for up to 12 months for us to evaluate the wind? 

7. Have you ever been contacted by wind developer before? If yes, please provide the name of the developer and the date they contacted you.

8. Additional comments or information

 

2-Bladed Wind Turbines

Versus

3-Bladed Wind Turbines

Why 3-Bladed Wind Turbines are Far Superior than 2-Bladed Wind Turbines

The argument has been settled and the debate is over, today's "modern" 3-bladed wind turbines represent the latest technological improvements in wind turbine generators, and are superior to the 20-30 year old technology that 2-bladed wind turbines represent.

First of all, it is important to remember that 2-bladed wind turbines may generate only about 90% of the power of a 3-bladed wind turbine of comparable size.  While a 2-bladed wind turbine saves the weight of one extra blade when compared with a 3-bladed wind turbine, engineers of the most efficient wind turbines have determined that the extra blade used on 3 bladed wind turbines provide the optimum wind turbine efficiency and wind turbine design for the "ideal" wind turbine generators of today.  

Secondly, the top-3 leading wind turbine manufacturers have standardized on the 3-bladed wind turbine.  They do not manufacture any 2-bladed wind turbines.  Plainly stated, a wind turbine with an even number of blades (2 blades or 4 blades) are NOT of optimum design or efficiency. In fact, this debate was settled years ago when the wind turbine engineers and designers began building wind turbines over 600 kW in power output.

The top-3 leading wind turbine manufacturers have standardized on the 3-bladed wind turbine.  They do not manufacture any 2-bladed wind turbines.  Plainly stated, a wind turbine with an even number of blades (2 blades or 4 blades) are NOT of optimum design or efficiency. In fact, this debate was settled years ago when the wind turbine engineers and designers began building wind turbines over 600 kW in power output. 

The leading wind turbine manufacturers and their engineers have decided that 3 bladed wind turbines are the optimum number of wind turbine blades due to the stability of the wind turbine as well as the significant wind loads and stresses placed on a 2-bladed wind turbine.  A wind turbine that has an odd number of blades is similar to a disc when calculating the computational fluid dynamics of the wind turbine.  Engineers have learned that wind turbines that have an even number of blades - such as the 2 bladed wind turbines of the past - have stability problems for a machine with a stiff structure. The reason for this problem is simple, engineers recognized that when a 2-bladed wind turbine's top blade bends backwards - when the wind turbine's 2 blades are in the vertical position - since it is now generating the maximum power from the wind - that the lower or bottom blade is now aligned with the tower and the blade is hidden or blocked from the wind - and this generates a huge amount of stress and loads on the wind turbine and its' primary components such as the bearings, shaft, transmission etc.

Because of the extreme wind loads and stresses placed on 2-bladed wind turbines, the remaining 2-bladed wind turbine manufacturers have had to resort to a "teetered hub" that helps remove some of the stress and loads placed on 2-bladed wind turbines. While there are some very fine 2-bladed wind turbines, of smaller power output, the bottom line is, 3 bladed wind turbines are inherently better and more efficient than 2-bladed wind turbines.

For these reasons, community wind farm owners and developers, along with utility-scale wind farm owners and developers, would be wise to only consider 3-bladed wind turbines. 

Why We Need Renewable Energy, NOW!

Mont Goodell, President of the Renewable Energy Institute, along with the Renewable Energy Institute's Scientific Advisory Board, which is comprised of our nation's leading experts, engineers, attorneys, professors and universities, is calling for our nation and all 50 states to adopt a Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) of at least 25% by 2025. According to Mr. Goodell, our nation is at a crossroads and we have been 'over the Middle Eastern barrel of their fossil fuels' long enough. We must shift from energy dependence to energy independence and place significant emphasis and investments in our national energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition, we need to implement a "Feed In Tariff" in lieu of a Renewable Portfolio Standard and build the 'Transmission Superhighway' or 'Unified National Grid' and dramatically increase the nation's power supply as well as implement greater use of 'Energy Conservation Measures' and 'Demand Side Management' programs.  Failure to move in these areas and to do so immediately increases the risks to our country, our national security and the climate" according to Mr. Goodell. 

One of the fastest paths to jump-start the renewable energy industry, according to the Renewable Energy Institute, is through a "Feed In Tariff. A Feed In Tariff is superior to a Renewable Portfolio Standard," according to Mr. Goodell.  "Just look at Germany, they adopted a Feed In Tariff, are further north from the Equator than we are here in the U.S., and they are placing solar panels on every rooftop and wind turbine generators throughout their country. They are leading the world in renewable energy technologies, primarily due to their early adoption of a Feed In Tariff"   

Renewable energy, and renewable energy only provides significant economic and environmental dividends, whether this is through a Renewable Portfolio Standard, or through a Feed-in Tariff, some of the economic and environmental dividends include:

  • Creation of more than 3 million new jobs in the U.S..

  • Generate more than $1 trillion in economic impacts

  • Significant reductions of oil imports

  • Reduce energy prices and save consumers as much as $50 billion on their energy bills

  • Elimination of billions of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions

  • Stimulate rural economies

  • Conserve natural gas supplies 

  • Creates a clean, safe energy future

  • Position the US as a world leader in renewable energy technologies

According to the Energy Information Administration, the total US primary energy consumption is expected to increase from 100 quadrillion Btu (quads) in 2005 to 131 quads in 2030. However, the renewable electricity generation remains at 9% while use of coal increases 50 percent in 2030 to 57%.  Ethanol use is expected to increase from 4 billion gallons in 2005 to 14.6 billion gallons in 2030, yet that is only about 8% of total gasoline consumption.

In January (2008) the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) blamed the burning of fossil fuels as a key contributor to global warming and accelerating climate change. The NCDC warned that the rate of the warming is accelerating and that the rise in temperatures over the past 9 years is “unprecedented in the historical record." This was underscored in February (2008) in the consensus report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that concluded with near certainty that human activity was the main contributor to global warming.

The renewable energy industry, single-handedly, provides a powerful argument and solutions for these problems. 

Global warming and climate change are symptoms of a sick planet and the results of unrestrained "dumping" of huge amounts of pollution - in the form of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere.

The vast majority of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions comes from "dirty" fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) used in making electricity at power plants and dirty fuels (gasoline and petroleum diesel) that run our internal combustion engines in our cars, trains, planes, and trucks. Our planet is home to millions and millions of internal combustion engines that run on dirty fossil fuels - whether they are fueled with gasoline for running our cars and lawnmowers or running on diesel fuel in the engines of trucks and ships like the very large crude carriers that transport the crude oil all around the world...... every internal combustion engine that is running on dirty fossil fuels is dumping millions and millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas emissions into our atmosphere - which is aggravating and exacerbating our sick planet - and making manmade climate change and global warming more difficult to resolve through manmade remedies and solutions.

Why We Need A "Unified Smart Grid" or 
"Transmission Superhighway," NOW!

According to Mont Goodell, President of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our country desperately needs to upgrade its' national electric grid.  The grid of today is a relic from the past, that is inefficient and costly.  Originally built in the 1930's, it is costing our nation approximately $120 billion every year due to its' outdated and out-lived existence.  The national power grid as designed and built in the 1930's does not have the efficiencies and capabilities to keep pace with the national power grid's demands of today." 

"What we need" according to Mr. Goodell, is what former Vice President Al Gore calls a "Unified Smart Grid" or what we prefer to call a "Transmission Superhighway."

A Transmission Superhighway would be buried underground and "wheels" renewable power ("green electricity") from the wind farms of the midwest, and solar farms of the southwest, and geothermal farms of the west, to load centers throughout every corner of the U.S."

According to many estimates, the "Unified Smart Grid" or "Transmission Superhighway" could be built for about $400 billion.  Through its' increased efficiencies, savings and reliability improvements that it will provide, the nation's new "unified smart grid" will be paid in full, in less than 4 years. 

For more information on our Turnkey Wind Farms, Community Wind Farms and our American-made Wind Turbines, call (832) 758 - 0027

Windpower Technologies, LLC. is a Texas Limited Liability Company.

Windpower Technologies, LLC. develops, acquires, owns and operates Wind Farms and Community Wind Farms in the U.S. and Canada. We provide the following Wind Energy and Wind Power products and services, some through our strategic partners or company suppliers:

  • American-made Wind Turbines

  • Carbon Reduction Projects in the U.S. and Canada

  • Community Wind Farms

  • Environmental Credits (Carbon Credits, Emissions Trading & Renewable
    Energy Credits) 

  • Investment Capital & Project Finance consulting services

  • Power Purchase Agreements

  • Turnkey Wind Farms

  • Wind Energy Feasibility Studies

  • Wind Energy Lease Agreements

  • Wind Energy Power Plant Consulting Services

  • Wind Resource Assessments

Land And Ranch Owners 
Interested in Wind Turbines 
& Generating a New Income, 
Call Us for More Information

If you are a land owner with at least 100 acres and interested in having one or more wind turbines installed on your property, please provide us with the following information so we can determine whether your property qualifies for an initial, no-cost assessment.

1. Owner's Name __________________________________

    Name of ranch/property ________________________

2. Address _______________________________

    city ______________              

    state ______    

    zip _________ 

3. Phone ____________

4. Email address __________________

5. Approximate acreage available for wind turbines __________

6. Would you be willing to have a small wind speed testing tower on your property for up to 12 months for us to evaluate the wind? 

7. Have you ever been contacted by wind developer before? If yes, please provide the name of the developer and the date they contacted you.

8. Additional comments or information


The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Wind Power

According to the Department of Energy, our nation's electricity generation from wind power alone could top 20 percent of the total power generation mix by 2030. 

This would have the economic benefits of creating 500,000 jobs and generate more than $400 billion. 

Wind Power also reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions and other pollution by 25 percent than otherwise.

Wind Power Generation: 
Growing Faster Than Any Other 
Form of Renewable Energy!

 

Installed Windpower Generation (in Megawatts) by Country
Rank County 2005 2006 2007
1 Germany 18,415 20,622 22,247
2 United States 9,149 11,603 16,818
3 Spain 10,028 11,615 15,145
4 India 4,430 6,270 8,000
5 China 1,260 2,604 6,050
6 Denmark (& Faeroe Islands) 3,136 3,140 3,129
7 Italy 1,718 2,123 2,726
8 France 757 1,567 2,454
9 United Kingdom 1,332 1,963 2,389
10 Portugal 1,022 1,716 2,150
11 Canada 683 1,459 1,856
12 Netherlands 1,219 1,560 1,747
13 Japan 1,061 1,394 1,538
14 Austria 819 965 982
15 Greece 573 746 871
16 Australia 708 817 824
17 Ireland 496 745 805
18 Sweden 510 572 788
19 Norway 267 314 333
20 New Zealand 169 171 322
21 Egypt 145 230 310
22 Belgium 167 193 287
23 Taiwan 104 188 282
24 Poland 83 153 276
25 Brazil 29 237 247
26 South Korea 98 173 191
27 Turkey 20 51 146
28 Czech Republic 28 50 116
29 Morocco 64 124 114
30 Finland 82 86 110
31 Ukraine 77 86 89
32 Mexico 3 88 87
33 Costa Rica 71 74 74
34 Bulgaria 6 36 70


United States — 50-Meter Wind Resource Map

A wind resource map of the United States. Both high resolution and low resolution datasets are used.

 

 

Yearly Installed Wind Capacity Map

This map shows the installed wind capacity in megawatts. As of December 31, 2007, 16,596 MW have been installed. Alaska, 2 MW; Hawaii, 63 MW; Washington, 1163 MW; Oregon, 885 MW; California, 2439 MW; Idaho, 75 MW; Utah, 1 MW; Montana, 145 MW; Wyoming, 288 MW; Colorado, 1067 MW; New Mexico, 496 MW; North Dakota, 345 MW; South Dakota, 98 MW; Nebraska, 72 MW; Kansas, 364 MW; Oklahoma, 689 MW; Texas, 4296 MW; Minnesota, 1258 MW; Iowa, 1115 MW; Missouri, 62 MW; Wisconsin, 53 MW; Illinois, 733 MW; Tennessee, 29 MW; Michigan, 3 MW; Ohio, 7 MW; West Virginia, 66 MW; Pennsylvania, 294 MW; New Jersey, 8 MW; New York, 425 MW; Vermont, 6 MW; New Hampshire, 1 MW; Massachusetts, 5 MW; Rhode Island, 1 MW; Maine, 42 MW.

 

 
Texas Wind Power Map
 


Texas Wind Power Map 2004

 Wind Classification Legend

 

 

Wind Energy Terminology & Glossary


AC - Alternating Current 

Airfoil -The cross section profile of the leeward side of a wind generator blade. Designed to give low drag and good lift. Also found on an airplane wing. 

Air Gap - In a permanent magnet alternator, the distance between the magnets and the laminates. 

Alternating Current - Electricity that changes direction periodically. The period is measured in Cycles per Second (Hertz, Hz). 

Alternator - A device that produces Alternating Current from the rotation of a shaft. 

Amperage - A unit of electrical current, equal to Coulombs per second. This is the flow rate of electrons moving through a circuit, very roughly analogous to gallons per minute flowing from a faucet. 

Ampere-Hour - A measure of energy quantity, equal to amperes times hours. Also used to measure battery capacity. 

Anemometer - A device that measures wind speed. 

Angle of Attack - The angle of relative air flow to the blade chord. 

Annealing - A heat treatment process that makes Cold-rolled steel more suitable for forming and bending. 

Area of a Circle - Pi multiplied by the Radius squared. 

Armature - The moving part of an alternator, generator or motor. In many PM alternator designs, it carries the magnets and is attached to the blades and hub. Also called a Rotor. 

Axial Alternator - An alternator design where a flat disc carrying magnets on the face (the Armature) rotates near a flat disc carrying coils (the Stator). 

Axis - The centerline of a rotating object's movement. 

Balancing - With wind turbine blades, adjusting their weight and weight distribution through 2 axes so that all blades are the same. Unbalanced blades create damaging vibration. 

Battery - An electrochemical device for storing energy. 

Battery Bank - An array of Batteries connected in series, parallel, or both. 

Bearing - A device that transfers a force to structural supports. In a wind generator, bearings allow the Shaft to rotate freely, and allow the machine to Yaw into and out of the wind. 

Belt - A device for transferring power from a rotating shaft to a generator. Allows the use of Pulleys to change the ratio of shaft speed to and from the generator. 

Betz Limit -59.3 percent. This is the theoretical maximum efficiency at which a wind generator can operate, by slowing the wind down. If the wind generator slows the wind down too much, air piles up in front of the blades and is not used for extracting energy. 

Blade - The part of a wind generator rotor that catches the wind. 

Braking System - A device to slow a wind turbine's shaft speed down to safe levels electrically or mechanically. 

Bridge Rectifier - An array of diodes used to convert Alternating Current to Direct Current. Single-phase bridge rectifiers use 4 diodes, 3-phase bridge rectifiers use 6 diodes. 

Brushes - Devices for transferring power to or from a rotating object. Usually made of carbon-graphite. 

Ceramic Magnets - See Ferrite Magnets. 

Chord - The width of a wind turbine blade at a given location along the length. 

Coercivity--The amount of power needed to magnetize or demagnetize a permanent magnet. Measured in MegaGauss Oersted (mGO) 

Cogging - The cyclic physical resistance felt in some alternator designs from magnets passing the coils and gaps in the laminates. Detrimental to Start-up. 

Coil - A length of wire wound around a form in multiple turns. 

Cold-Rolled Steel - Steel processed by working at room temperatures. More expensive than hot-rolled steel. 

Commutator - The rotating part of a DC generator. 

Concave - A surface curved like the interior of a circle or sphere. 

Convex - A surface curved like the exterior of a circle or sphere. 

Current - See Amperage. 

Cut-In Wind Speed - The rotational speed at which an alternator or generator starts pushing electricity hard enough (has a high enough voltage) to make electricity flow in a circuit. 

Cycles per Second - Measured in Hertz. In electricity, it is the number of times an AC circuit reaches both minimum and maximum values in one second. 

Darrieus Wind Turbine - A Vertical Axis Wind Turbine design from the 1920s and 1930s by F.M. Darrieus, a French wind turbine designer. 

DC - Direct Current 

Delta - A 3-phase alternator wiring configuration in which all phases are connected in Series. 

Diameter - A straight line passing through the center of a circle, and ending on both edges. Equal to 2 times the Radius. 

Diode - A solid-state device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction. 

Downwind - Refers to a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine in which the hub and blades point away from the wind direction, the opposite of an Upwind turbine. 

Drag - In a wind generator, the force exerted on an object by moving air. Also refers to a type of wind generator or anemometer design that uses cups instead of a blades with airfoils. 

Dump Load - A device to which wind generator power flows when the system batteries are too full to accept more power, usually an electric heating element. This diversion is performed by a Shunt Regulator, and allows a Load to be kept on the Alternator or Generator. 

Duty Cycle - In a circuit, the ratio of off time to on time. 

Dynamo - A device that produces Direct Current from a rotating shaft. See Generator. 

Eddy Currents - Currents that flow in a substance from variations in magnetic induction. See also Lenz Effect. Laminates are used to prevent eddy currents, which cause physical and electrical resistance in an alternator or transformer, therefore wasting power. 

Efficiency - The ratio of energy output to energy input in a device. 

Electromagnet - A device made of wire coils that produces a magnetic field when electricity flows through the coils.