TABER, Alta. – The wind blowing across the Prairies is free but harnessing its energy is anything but cheap.
“If you are just looking at dollars and cents, it may not be the best bang for your buck,” said Tim Weis, an engineer who researches renewable energy at the Pembina Institute in Alberta.
For large commercial producers like Suncor or Enmax that have invested heavily in southern Alberta wind farms, the payoff can be achieved in 10 years on a system expected to last 25 years.
On the farm, a smaller wind turbine can be costly, he told an alternative energy conference in Taber March 17. However, people have many reasons besides cost for setting up their own power generation, he said.
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“Alberta is the most polluting energy system in Canada. It is one of the reasons people are interested in renewables.”
People also might like the independence.
A small scale wind power generator is not the best way to reduce energy costs. The systems are expensive to buy, install and maintain. A farm-scale system can cost $30,000 to $1 million.
Commercial companies achieve economies of scale with large wind mills and tall towers to better capture the wind. They hold 99 percent of the market.
“Go as big as you possibly can afford to connect to your system,” Weis said. “You can only make your money on power you can sell or avoid buying.”
Weis recommended that people considering windmills research the various systems.
Then, they should apply for permission to develop from the Alberta Utilities Board before buying the unit and make sure the system can be connected before it is installed.
Try to match the turbine power to the amount consumed.
If a farm uses 30,000 kilowatts per year, a 15 kilowatt turbine may be adequate.
Weis suggested attaching a meter on the turbine to measure how much power is generating.
Producers who want to save money can buy refurbished turbines from California.
Others are trying a blended system of solar and wind energy.
The two collect energy at different times of the day and may be cheaper.
Those considering setting up wind turbines on a farm must know how wind behaves on their property. Wind atlases are available through Environment Canada and other websites like www.windatlas.ca.
