Wind Energy

TAKE ACTION !!!

If you'll take the time right now to think back to the good old days of August, to a time of sun filled days at the park, to a time when street lights didn't pop on until 8pm, to a time when both the House and the Senate passed landmark energy bills. Bills that will save us billions of dollars (collectively) on home energy costs and at the pump. Bills that drastically reduce our level of harmful emissions, thus slowing the pace of global warming. Bills that point the US towards a more energy-independent future.

The House and Senate are now working to create a final version of the bill. We NEED to make sure that they don't leave anything important out. This will be HUGE for the future of our country. Please take the time to go to Sierra Club's "Flip the Switch" site to sign a petition, and send a (pre-written) letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. A copy of the letter has been pasted below for you to take a peek at. It also allows you space to add your own personal message.

Again, THIS TAKES 20 SECONDS AND IS TOO IMPORTANT NOT TO DO! Click HERE and get going...

COPY OF LETTER:

For the first time in decades, we have the chance to make real progress putting our country on the path to a clean energy future. But that's only if Congress passes a bill that combines the best of both the House and Senate bills and raises fuel efficiency standards to 35 miles per gallon and requires that 15 percent of our electricity be generated by wind, solar, or other renewable power.

A bill that contains both of these standards will save consumers more than $25 billion at the pump and billions more on their home energy bills, cut 20 to 30 percent of our projected global-warming emissions by 2030, and bring a new clean-energy economy to life that will keep and create hundreds of thousands of new, good-paying American jobs.

That's why we're asking you to stand up to Big Energy: Keep both the Senate fuel-efficiency and House renewable-energy standards in the final bill and flip the switch that will bring America's clean energy future to life.

Sincerely,

YOU!

Modern Energy awaits...

Modern Energy Wind Project: Grand Valley State University

Modern Energy Wind Project at Grand Valley State University

September 2007

Take Action!!!

In an earlier post I passed along some of my favorite sites so that you can keep up to date on the latest and greatest in the world of modern energy.

In my infinite (read: finite) wisdom I neglected to add http://www.votesolar.org/ and http://www.wind-watch.org/alerts/category/sources/action-alerts/ 2 websites dedicated to keeping the citizenry up to date on relevant action items in the fields of solar and wind energy, respectively.

With those two sites alone you are able to hound (read:inform, annoy) your local politicians, so that they will realize the importance of, and demand for, modern energy solutions.

No matter how important an issue is, there will be no supply unless the 'powers that be' fell there is a demand. Let's show them that the demand (for items like this, this, this, and this) is there...

...start hounding!!!

50,000 Eyes on Modern Energy

We love people like Western Michigan University professor John Patten. People motivated by producing "clean, green, energy". John mentioned this as his main motivator when spending $10,000 of his own money on a 45 foot Skystream 3.7 for the university's campus.

Well done professor! But, what I love about it is the fact that 50,000 (25,000 students) eyes will be on that turbine this year alone. Professor Patten is showing one tenth of a quarter of a million people (I liked how that sounded) that modern energy works. These students will get to see (and hear) the quiet, clean energy producing power on a daily basis. A sight that I'm sure will turn the apathetic and skeptical among them, on to the modern energy revolution.

As I've always said--the more exposure these systems receive the better. And this is a lot of exposure.

Thanks John!!!

Solar Night "Modern Energy Wind Project" at Western Michigan University Featured on Front Page of Kalamazoo Gazette

Download Complete PDF Front Page of the Story Now

  Western Michigan University Installation

Find Some New Arguments...Please!

I often hear, from modern energy slowpokes, that (in regards to wind turbines) they are "ugly" or "too loud" or "too BIG". After I address these outdated complaints (for the LAST time...or until next time, anyway), I beg you, please go out and finally purchase the wind turbine you've been secretly pining for--or--find an updated complaint.

"Ugly"--First of all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I happen to find them dead sexy. But don't take my word for it. Take the Sustainable Industries editorial team who named the Skystream 3.7 (pictured) one of their Top Ten Green Building Products for 2007. A decision based on a variety of criteria--one being aesthetics. Regardless of what anyone else thinks--I imagine that in our society, a society based so depressingly much around the TV, if this exact wind turbine was needed to offer your home digital, high definition, 100+ channel cable, you (meaning the general public) wouldn't hesitate to throw one (or two?) of these up in you backyard. Moving on...

"Too loud"-- The Skystream sound pressure level (in decibels) is consistent with, not a dog barking, nor a lawnmower, not even your neighbor's weed whacker--it is at the same decibel level as background noise. Meaning you'll hardly even notice it!

"Too big"--Smaller than it's older counterparts, the Skystream 3.7 can range anywhere from 34-70 feet (size variations are based on site). Besides, it couldn't get too much smaller--you do want 4KWh of energy each month don't ya? (based on a 12 mph wind average)

Plus, the best thing about generating your own energy from wind...

...You can't break wind!       Get it?

Finally, all of your misconceptions are cleared up.

Time to go shoppin'!

The Process of Buying the Wind: Come, Follow the Crow's

Bruce and Tammy Crow of Fort Defiance Virgina recently purchased a Skystream 3.7 from us and took the time to log the entire process from the information gathering phase through to completion. Here it is. As they point out, it should answer any questions a future consumer would have...

Good morning Amy I have outlined our process to inform others who may be interested in wind power.

May 2007      

* Gathered info on increase in real estate property values with renewable energy sources.
* Info sheet on noise and decibel level of turbine system in operation.
* Info sheet on bird and animal kills from wind turbines.
* Met with all six (6) adjoining property owners to discuss turbine install and answer any questions they may have.  Left information packet with each for their review--All property owners approved installation without hesitation, no questions.
* Filed application with County for special use permit(required since net metering with current electrical company and tying into their grid).

June 2007      

* County Board of Zoning Meeting held on Thursday, June 7, 2007
* Special use permit for turbine system - APPROVED
* Applied for and purchased building and electrical permits for all inspections
* Talked to Alan (Brani) at Solar Night Ind, sales order confirmed and dated 6/18/2007
* Spoke to Amy (Alexander) at Solar Night Ind, verify payment received, items to be ordered
* Purchased all electrical supplies and hook-ups
* Set Outdoor disconnect as required by NEC & UL 1741
* Sent specifications and placed order for rebar cage

July 2007      

* Received email from Amy to advise what items were being shipped
and tracking #
* Upon receiving tracking number we followed the status of shipment online                                           * * Call from Estes trucking, items at terminal for pick up (no truck in area)
* Upon pick up and inspection, one turbine blade was damaged
* Emailed Amy at Solar Night Ind, sent description and picture of damage
* Received call and email from Amy, a replacement set would be sent and call tag for damaged blades
* Federal Express delivered large bolts, and template for bolt pattern set
* Shenandoah Tower arrived to dig hole for pier foundation, template made set on rebar cage and set in hole and double checked for accuracy and secured.
* Concrete pour scheduled, delivered, finish work done, setting up nicely.
* Rented large trencher for electrical inspection next day
* Trench dug, electrical service placed, inspected and approval given to cover and proceed
* Following day all backfilling, grading, seeding and landscaping done.
* Looks great, all family members and neighbors are getting excited, as well as ourselves
               

At this time, we are waiting the 28 days for the concrete pour to cure properly.
Cover letter mailed on 7/17/2007 to Dominion VA. Power requesting meter change out to allow for net metering program.

Tentative start up date is for September 2007 if all goes well.

So far so good. Thank you for your call.
~Bruce and Tammy Crow

Thanks Bruce and Tammy!

I've highlighted and underlined my favorite part about the family and neighbors getting excited. That is the most important thing! People like the Crow's turning their friends and family on to the possibilities of renewable energy.

Creating your own electricity, while creating zero harmful emissions...who wouldn't be excited?!

SNI is Hiring!

SNI is looking for a Commercial Design Engineer.

For more information on the skills and qualifications required to work for this great company, click here.

Best of luck!!!

Support the Markey-Platts Fuel Economy Reform Act (HR 1506) and the Udall-Platts Renewable Electricity Standard (HR 969)

A Call To Action!

I know I usually ask you to click on a link and add your name to a letter to your local rep, and in 18 seconds you're done taking action. This time I'm going to ask you to take a minute or two to call your local rep. At this site they will get the numbers for you AND they even have a script of what you should say. Again, this is in support of improved fuel economy standards and a commitment to modern energy solutions (ie. wind, solar, and hydro).

A sentence from the script looks like this:

"I know that voting in favor of these two policies will create jobs, curb global warming, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil."

...enough said.

SWWP--Making Wind Power Mainstream

Andy Kruse, Senior VP of Business Development for Southwest Windpower, always had the desire to bring renewable energy to the mainstream. Well Andy, a feature in USA Today on the success of your company and the effectiveness of the Skystream 3.7, may have accomplished that goal for you. It's just a matter of days before there's a Skystream in every backyard...OK, a matter of years. A guy can dream can't he? I dream of an energy independent future with modern energy systems meeting our energy needs and creating zero pollution in the process. To good to be true...

We'll see...

Keep up the great work Southwest Windpower! Check out the article in the USA Today here.