Publications

Survey of Energy Resources 2007

Small Wind Turbines

There is no precise definition of 'small', but it usually applies to machines under about 10 kW in output. In developing countries small wind turbines are used for a wide range of rural energy applications, and there are many 'off-grid' applications in the developed world as well - such as providing power for navigation beacons and road signs. Since most of these are not connected to a grid, many use DC generators and run at variable speed. A typical 100 W battery-charging machine has a shipping weight of only 15 kg.

A niche market, where wind turbines often come into their own as the costs of energy from conventional sources can be very high, is in cold climates. Wind turbines may be found in both Polar regions and in northern Canada, Alaska and Finland.