Urban Green Energy UGE-4K Wind Turbine
March 5, 2010 — The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind. The question: Is there a way to reduce our co-op or condo's energy bill in a green, Earth-friendly way?
Sure, you can install solar panels, and some intrepid co-ops and condos are experimenting with geothermal cooling and heating. As we wean ourselves away from coal and oil — and we've kind of got to; neither one of those will last forever — our electrical future will probably be a combination of those new technologies and others, including wind energy. And while you're doubtlessly envisioning those giant turbines generally placed out in bays or isolated fields, you've got realize those are just the first generation. Just as TV satellite dishes went from six-feet across to pizza-sized, so, too, are rooftop wind turbines. See for yourself — we're not just tilting at windmills.
The UGE-4K vertical-axis wind turbine, pictured here, is the largest of three models — with 4 kiloWatt, 1kW and 600W output, respectively — from the New York City start-up Urban Green Energy. Vertical-axis turbines are different from traditional wind turbines in that their main axis is perpendicular to the ground. This configuration means they're not affected by the direction of the wind, which is useful in areas where the wind changes direction frequently or quickly, and so there's no mechanism needed to turn the turbine toward the wind. The consumer models are simple to install and maintain, says the company, and operation is quiet, with a decibel rating of < 27dB at a three-meter distance.
Of course, one benefit of generating your own electricity is that no only does your co-op or condo save money by using less commercial electricity, but you can even get refunds from your power company by feeding your excess into the grid. Check out the chart below to see how it works. As for purchasing wind turbines, a variety of states offer incentives see the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency.As well, financing is available through the GEOSmart program sponsored by the Electric and Gas Industries Association (EGIA) and funded by GE Money. It's also worth LEED Certification points.
So don't get caught being a funny-duddy building. Embrace the new. Who's reachin' out to capture a moment? Everyone knows it's windy.
Urban Green Energy • 353 W 48th Street, Suite 302, New York, N.Y. 10036 • (917) 512-9777 • toll-free (877) 586-6488 •
info@urbangreenenergy.com