Alternative Power -- Whirlybirds

I found a small child's scooter out for trash a couple years ago, so I did what I do with all devices -- immediately dismantled it. I managed to get a nice 24-volt permanent magnet motor and two 12V 7Ah batteries out of the deal. So began my exploration of alternative energy.

I'm planning a purchase of some small solar panels to charge my electronic devices and provide a little power for other projects such as electronic experimentation, and I've been trying to convert an old exercise bike to use the 24V motor as a generator (need tools). Eventually, I'd like to harness the constant wind blowing through Hazleton to provide power for the entire house.

There are major problems with alternative energy schemes at this early date. Solar is entirely passive, but it depends upon the amount of sunlight available and typically provides a very low yield for the amount of space it occupies. Wind is better, providing more wattage for very little space, but it's mechanical, meaning if there is any kind of structural failure a wind turbine can send lethal projectiles spraying in all directions. See this video of a Danish turbine failure for a dramatic demonstration. Wind turbines provide power only so long as the wind lasts. If the wind lasts beyond the point your batteries are charged, the extra power generated needs to be dumped into a dummy load (usually some sort of heater) to keep the turbine from doing exactly what happens in the video above. If there is a break in the circuit, a frayed wire or a stuck relay, boom! your neighbors are dead.  In spite of all these risks, I would so love to see a day when every house in a city like this one to be able to provide their own power, with a combination of windmills and solar panels.

I've been looking hard at the "whirlybird" roof ventilators for a number of reasons. First, they turn no matter from which direction the wind is blowing. Second, if they are of high quality, they last for years, sometimes decades. Third, the compact and robust design makes them virtually immune to any sort of catastrophic failure. And fourth, they turn with the slightest breeze.

Of course, the one major drawback to whirlybirds is that they are highly inefficient. They work so well because they are only designed to move small amounts of air. If you put any sort of load on them, they will most likely stall. However, I think the design is still worth exploring. If you followed the Amazon link above, there is an add-on device, a generator designed specifically to be linked to a whirlybird to generate three-phase AC power. If the efficiency could be adjusted, such rooftop generators would provide a safe and effective method for providing household power.

Perhaps not all of your power needs will be met by such devices, but it would definitely help to wean America off its dependence on dirty and dangerous coal and nuclear power and ecologically damaging hydroelectric.  Just some thoughts to get your brains working.