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Directory:Honeywell Wind Turbine by EarthTronics

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Page first featured June 18, 2009

Weighiong 95 pound and with a diameter of 6 feet, EarthTronics says the Honeywell Wind Turbine can easily be installed on rooftops or attached to chimneys, or put on a pole.
Weighiong 95 pound and with a diameter of 6 feet, EarthTronics says the Honeywell Wind Turbine can easily be installed on rooftops or attached to chimneys, or put on a pole.

EarthTronics, based in Muskegon, Michigan, USA, says they have developed a wind turbine for residential and business customers that produces the highest output while having the lowest cost per kWh installed, at 1/3 the cost of any other wind generator on the market. With renewable incentives, the unit is expected to pay for itself in 1 - 3 years in many states.

Licensed to buildings systems giant Honeywell, the Honeywell Wind Turbine is a gearless, “free wheeling’’ turbine that generates power from the blade tips (where the speed lies) rather than through a complex slow center shaft. EarthTronics claims that by removing the resistance of the mechanical gear, the Honeywell Wind Turbine is far more efficient, less expensive to own and operate and creates energy across a much broader range of wind speeds, effectively harnessing wind from between 2 and 45 mph.

The unit will come with a control box including an invertor, so that the power is ready to use.

EarthTronics is ramping up production with 3,000 orders to be released to Ace Hardware stores in October, 2009 for a $4,500 retail price. [1]

Skeptics say this is still just a concept claim, not proven in the marketplace, and that math does not support their claim of energy harvesting, especially in a rooftop scenario. The company says they have responses (pending as of June 17) for these qualms.

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Official Website

Videos

Honeywell Wind Turbine


  • Introduction to the Honeywell Wind Turbine by Earthtronics (YouTube; May 13, 2009)

- - - -

Earthtronics Commercial


Independent Testing

list here

Patents

Patented

Profiles

Company: EarthTronics

Quoting from http://www.earthtronics.com/

"We develop products and technologies that address our planet's demand for energy. At EarthTronics, we believe this demand creates not only challenges, but opportunities. From lighting to alternative energy products to medical equipment... At EarthTronics, we're not bound to specific products or technologies. We ARE committed to reducing the amount of energy our customers use. It's good for their bottom lines and it's good for our planet. That commitment is even reflected in where we chose to locate our company: in the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), a world-class research and development facility on the shores of Lake Michigan."

The first pilot plant is slated for either the United States or Canada, Adams said, with a final decision to be made by the company’s board of directors in June 2009. During the next 24 months to 30 months, EarthTronics plans to build six or seven additional production plants to serve customers in India, China, Europe and North America, which are emerging markets for power demand. [2]

Coverage

In the News


  • Cash-strapped folks adopt do-it-yourself attitude - A 6-foot-diameter turbine could account for more than 25 percent of household energy needs. While it has a $6,000 price tag, Levine said, 60-70 percent of the cost can be recouped with federal and state rebates. (SL Trib; Oct. 2, 2009)
  • Rooftop Wind Turbine Will Be Sold at Your Corner Hardware Store - A small rooftop wind turbine by EarthTronics will be sold at ACE Hardware stores starting this fall. The Turbine can produce power from winds that range in speed from two miles per hour to 45 miles per hour, making it the first among its competitors to be able to generate power from such slow wind speeds. (EcoGeek; June 8, 2009)
  • EarthTronics snags Honeywell name on its new gearless wind turbine - A new wind turbine from Muskegon, Mich.-based EarthTronics is coming to a hardware store near you, opening up new potential markets in low-wind areas. The turbine starts generating power at wind speeds as low as 2 miles per hour. Comparison to competitors. (Cleantech; June 8, 2009)

Other Coverage

list here

Comments

See Desription page

Seems like hype based on concept, not testing

On June 9th, 2009 Andy Kruse wrote:

I represent Southwest Windpower, a company that has been in the small wind business for more than 23 years. I am a big supporter of new companies entering the small wind turbine industry. No question there is a lot of opportunity in this space.

However, I draw the line when people hype conceptual drawings and present performance calculations that are clearly projected. How much energy a device can extract from the wind is a direct function of the diameter of the rotor times the cube of the wind speed. I find it very difficult to believe that a device with a 5-6’ rotor could develop 1500 watts unless it is in an extremely high wind. Few people live in places like this.

Wind turbines are not "garden Sculptures" they are designed to produce electricity. Proper siting, installation and maintenance all have dramatic affects on their performance.

If any individual or person is interested in investing in a renewable energy company, contact a University or the National Renewable Energy Labs (http://www.nrel.gov) and ask for a second opinion. As in their opinion that the design has both performance and economic merit.

If any individual or person is interested in investing in a wind generator, ask to see if the design has been tested and certified by an independent third party. Ask to speak with people that own one.

A small wind turbine can be a fun and worthwhile investment. Just make sure its tested and certified.


Not a Top 100 Technology

On June 15, 2009, New Energy Congress member, Richard P. George, Ph.D. wrote:

This is likely a 100 to 200 watt sustained output turbine. The power curve needs extremely strong sustained winds to generate any significant power. Forget about mounting this on a rooftop. There is only so much power you get out of a 6 ft diameter turbine. Placement is absolutely critical. This device is grossly overpriced. Comparable turbines sell for ~$600 - they want $4500.

Claims Are Very Misleading

--Penny Gruber 03:11, 20 June 2009 (PDT)

It's nice that the device can start in low winds, but rather pointless. EarthTronics tables show that being able to operate at 2mph versus 8mph only improves harvest by 1.5%. Their claimed ability to harvest above 30mph doesn't add much either: less than 5% from 30mph to 45mph.

EarthTronics says that their device has a 1-3 year payback. At $4500. that's a tall order unless your site sees near gale force winds 24/7. Residential electricity rates average less than $0.20 / kWh. At $0.20 / kWh and payback of $4500. exclusive of installation costs or rebates requires more than 22,500 kWh. For a payback in three years, the unit would have to produce 1kW. That requires 30mph or faster winds 24/7. EarthTronics own charts show that this wind speed or above occurs less than 2% of the time in Class 4 regions. At more common electricity rates of $0.12/kWh a three year payback requires that the device operate 24/7 in 36mph winds, a condition EarthTronics says occurs less than a paltry 0.25% of the time.

If one takes EarthTronics at their word, the device generates 2042kWh / year in Class 4 wind, making it an average 233W generator costing $19.31 / W. This cost is about half of commercially installed PV solar. It is not 1/3 the cost of other turbines that EarthTronics claims. It is no bargain.

Related Sites

Contact

http://earthtronics.com/Contact.aspx

EarthTronics, Inc.
200 Viridian Dr.
Muskegon, MI 49440 USA

Toll Free: 866-6-EARTH-0 (866-632-7840)
Local: 231-332-1188
Fax: 231-726-5029
Email: info@earthtronics.com

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