Wind Turbine Power System (Off Grid)

A wind turbine takes the energy from moving air mass and converts it mechanical or electrical energy. Micro wind turbines (<1000 watts) can be used to charge batteries in numerous applications, such as remote cottages or sailboats. Small wind turbines (1KW – 100KW) are used by home owners or small businesses to generate power mainly to sell to the utility to offset their electric bills.

Typically, a wind turbine is set up on a tower of 15 meters or more in height. The electricity from the turbine is processed by a controller and is then used to charge batteries, or it is “sold” to the utility. The illustration shows an Off Grid system that has the turbine charging batteries that supply power through an inverter system. A generator is used as back up for extended, non-windy periods.

A wind turbine system can be augmented by adding a Photovoltaic (solar power) system. When wind turbine and solar power systems are combined, it is called a hybrid system.