Old-Style Windmill Produces New-Style Electric Power

Old-Style Windmill Produces New-Style Electric Power ENERGY Wind Power 33-5-31 Old-style windmills with four legs and a wheel full of blades will soon be back in style, says C.D. Smith, Triad/Merrick Machine Co. The company recently introduced the Triad WindGen, a 10kW turbine with an old-fashioned design. Smith says it will keep producing electricity when two and three-blade turbines shut down. As a bonus, it's quieter too. "There is a reason those old windmill designs lasted as long as they did," explains Smith. "They were dependable and efficient with a lot of torque. When company engineers began examining wind turbine designs, they noticed that efficiency comparison studies were common between one, two and three blade designs. However, there were virtually no studies that compared heritage style windmills to the newer designs. "Water pumping windmills have been around forever," notes Smith. "We realized that if we could incorporate state-of-the-art equipment into a legacy windmill design, we would have a winner." The company settled on the wheel design and made some changes in it that improved efficiency. It is designed to begin producing power in 7 mph winds and is rated at its full 10kW production at wind speeds of 25 mph. The Triad WindGen is also designed to never run with a hub speed in excess of 65 rpm's, significantly reducing wear stresses that shorten high-speed turbine life. Even in gale force winds, the Triad/Merrick turbine continues producing its rated full load of power. "If turbine shaft speed starts to exceed 65 rpm's, the computer controls begin to furl the tail on the wheel, turning it away from the wind so shaft speed stays at 65 rpm's and maximum production," explains Smith. "When newer style turbines have to be shut down, ours will keep working." He adds that the Triad WindGen is user friendly too. "We wanted to build a wind generator that was dependable and low maintenance," he says. "However, if something does goes wrong, owners can order a part and repair it on site." Currently the company is only building a 10kW turbine. The tallest four-legged tower is 80 ft. at the hub, so with the largest 25-ft. dia. wind wheel keeps total height under the 100-ft. limit set by federal regulations. The company also offers 40 and 60-ft. towers, but encourages customers to go as high as possible for the strongest and most consistent winds. "At less than 100 ft., we avoid FAA and other federal regulations," says Smith. Currently a grid tied Triad WindGen with an 80-ft. tower is priced at $59,640. Smith points out that various federal, state and local incentives can lower that by 50 percent or more. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Triad/Merrick Machine Co., Triad WindGen Division, 104 S. Apollo Ave., P.O. Box 130, Alda, Neb. 68810 (ph 308 384-1780, ext. 136 or 800 568-7423, ext. 136; cdsmith@triadwindgen.com; www.triadwindgen.com). á

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