Small-Scale Wind Power: Design, Analysis, and Environmental Impacts

DESCRIPTION: Small Scale Wind Power will address the ecological, economical and commercial applications for small-scale wind power. The appeal of small-scale wind power is great in rural areas or in the developing world where reliable electricity is not available. In many countries, electrical power is off for significant time periods (30% of the time in many cases). When electrical grids fail, countrywide communication ceases. Installation of small wind turbines to the existing communication towers would remedy this problem and allow continued communication even during power failures. Other instances include generating electrical power in remote areas or in military situations, where alternative power sources require transport of heavy fuels that must be continuously resupplied. Studies have shown that the potential of wind-generated power is less expensive than solar power, with the costs continually decreasing. Despite the enormous potential of small-scale wind power, commercial applications have only recently begun. For the wind-power industry, information regarding the design, analysis, installation, and economics must be readily available. This text will fill this need, and be a resource for environmental engineering students interested in sustainable development. Small Scale Wind Power will be written by experts in the field, and will be an authoritative book on the subject, unique in that the authors are all researchers in the field. The book will be a comprehensive resource for academics, engineers, and entrepreneurs who hope to develop and install the next generation of wind turbines.