Wind Power Capabilities Example

Submitted by fyl on 26 July, 2007 - 10:04.

While this isn't "about" Nicaragua, it is good data when you start thinking about possible generation capacity here. (The whole story is here.

In the Kittitas Valley, about 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg, Washington, a 65 turbine windfarm is in the final stages of approval. This windfarm will consume 6,000 acres, nearly ten square miles, and given each turbine is atop a 410 foot tower, it is reasonable to assume these are going to be very large generators, with a yield of 2.5 megawatts each. So this $150 million project will produce 165 megawatts of energy, or about 16 megawatt-years per square mile.

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tornadoes / hurricanes

Submitted by Jinoturistica on 24 August, 2007 - 14:58.

German guy in here today, operates a business to do with small size wind turbines. Said Central America was unsuitable because of tornadoes[sic] and that winds over 200kmph ripped them outta the foundations.

Got me to thinking.

McPherson strut helical spring from a heavy truck. A high compression self-righting (self-centering?) joint. A 1 foot solid metal plate screwed to a collar around the shaft but below the sweep. A solid bar, sleeve, link, stay between the plate and the turbine housing.

As the wind blows up to 150kph or so, the turbine, prop, link sleeve and plate turn to face the wind just like normal. Not enough force on the plate to trigger the the joint into cracking.

A gust hits, the plate exerts pressure, the joint temporarily overloads, the mast swings over like crazy, the foundations are OK.

The gust passes, reduced plate pressure, helical spring does the heavy lifting on the mast, the joint squares everything up and generation continues.

Remember, we are talking an alternative to the wind lifting spinning propeller blades, turbine and mast clean out of the ground - and into you car, or worse.

Tony X Robins, Jinotega

Wind mill Generation

Submitted by JGiraldezB on 24 August, 2007 - 12:10.

Huehuete Bob is on his way with his own windmill, I am on a list to purchase two larger units from him IF it pans out for him, for my house in Managua to run an AC and the other to run the rest of the house.

Jorge Giraldez-Benard Latin American Advisors Company Ltd Texaco El Cortijo 1/2 C al Sur Casa 300 Res. El Cortijo, Managua, Nicaragua C.A.. e-mail JGiraldezB@yahoo.com Skype, YahooPager & MSN User name: JGiraldezB Managua Office: 011 505 2682874

Wind Power Capabilities Example

Submitted by thschmidkonz on 26 July, 2007 - 19:00.

I was recently told by an expat living in Mexico,that the use of"Alternative devices to create electric power",is prohibited,and:that most of the other LA countries who own their Power grid,also prohibit alternative generation?

Your friend told you WRONG

Submitted by JGiraldezB on 24 August, 2007 - 12:27.

You can have wildmill generation in all latin American countries including Mexico , as long as they are FREE, Maybe CUBA no but thats another story. I have seen them in ALL latin American countries throughout the years.

Where did he get that! Maybe he is not allowed to have a tower in his surburban yard , Hell, I cannot have one in my gated community home in Doral Florida Homeowners association will NOT allow it

Jorge Giraldez-Benard Latin American Advisors Company Ltd Texaco El Cortijo 1/2 C al Sur Casa 300 Res. El Cortijo, Managua, Nicaragua C.A.. e-mail JGiraldezB@yahoo.com Skype, YahooPager & MSN User name: JGiraldezB Managua Office: 011 505 2682874

Not CR, for example

Submitted by fyl on 26 July, 2007 - 19:39.

There is actually a pretty large wind farm in Costa Rica and generation and distribution is nationalized there. The most common restriction (which I believe still exists in parts of the US) is that your private system is not allowed to be tied to the grid. Thus, no solar homes selling excess power back to the utility.

In Nicaragua, distribution is private (Union Finosa). I have been told that they have to buy from petroleum-based generating facilities but that clearly makes no sense. There is some geothermal being produced and there is also a government-owned hydro plant.

Beyond that, you are not required to be connected to the grid so "a group" could do their own wind farm even if there was some restriction on wind-based generation. But, I am pretty sure there is not.

Great Potential

Submitted by thschmidkonz on 27 July, 2007 - 18:20.

If there are no/few restrictions on Alternative power generation in CA,(some areas of it)loom as a potential Utopia for those of us who are seriously interested in living Off the grid.All of the Alternative options,that I am familiar with,are able to be used,to some degree,in many locations in Nica.On the coasts,one might be able to utilize all of them. (1.)Solar (2.)Wind (3.)Tidal (4.)Geothermal (5.)Mini-Micro Hydro-Turbine (6.)Ammonia-Hydride,Phase-Change (7.)Heat-Pumps http://www.heatpumpcentre.org/About_heat_pumps/default.asp