GE might make the big turbines, but there’s something to be said about having a smaller and user-friendly version for homes and small businesses. Enter Southwest Windpower. While the company had already created a mini-turbine called the Skystream 3.7, they just unveiled the newer more efficient Skystream 600.
Unlike the original, the 600 version has larger blades, enhanced software and an improved integrated inverter. According to a press release, the turbine will also be the first to fully integrate into the smart-grid. These improvements will produce 74 percent more energy for commercial and residential use than the 3.7 and provide an average of 7,400 kWh of clean energy. Of course this is averaging 12mph winds and depending on the consistency of the wind, could provide up to 60 percent of the necessary energy for average households.
This percentage will vary depending on location, wind conditions, tower height and other factors. So, it’s a good thing the Skystream 600 comes with the internet accessible Skyview System which shows users how much energy is being produced in real time.
The Skystream 600 will be available for purchase in April 2011. While there is currently no price tag for this turbine, it will certainly cost a pretty penny (the 3.7 is about $6k per unit). Still with the upgrades and the direct connection to the smart-grid system, the turbine would end up providing affordable and independent energy to the consumers.
The turbine was on display at GEs “home of the future” exhibit at the Consumer Electronics Show. GE is currently the largest investor of wind power, recently doubling their previous investments to $10 million for research and development. Southwest Windpower is one of the few companies that have been on the receiving end of these investments.
Companies like GE are beginning to look to renewable energy as a viable source of power. With peak oil and coal already happening and many climatologists citing the importance of reducing human’s carbon footprint, research into wind energy is even more pertinent than ever before.
