Who will use small scale wind power?

Small scale wind power usually defined as wind power turbines with rated effect up to 50 kW is a hot topic where the major part of analysts believe that small scale wind power is here to stay and that the potential is very high.

But who are the folks that will use them?
Here is a suggestion of 5 typical small scale wind power users…

1. The urban home owner

Urban wind power

100 W – 2kW small turbines dominated by the big masses of Urban home owners. The value proposition for these customers is not to solve their entire electricity need but to reduce part of their carbon footprint and reduce their electricity bills for an investment in nice green energy. The challenges for the turbine suppliers are Noise, aesthetic and ease of use.
Electricity buffering is usually made within the building by powering a radiator/cooler or producing hot water.

Area potential: It will take some time before wind power production enters urban areas. It will definitely happen but it takes a consumer change in perception and acceptance, which usually takes time. Many companies are creating the most artistic and creative solutions to capture these customers.

2. The cabin owner

Cabin wind power

100W – 2 kW small turbines combined with battery buffering or used just additional heating of the cabin combined with a radiator. Value for these customers are to produce electricity for the cabin since there is none. The challenge for the turbine producers are cost and buffering capability with an easy installation.

Area potential: There are still a large amount of isolated cabins especially on windy Islands that requires additional power.

3. The farmer and the land owner

Farmers wind turbine

5 kW – 50 kW turbines are used to actually help out with lowering the electricity bill and add additional income to the land owners. Real estate is not an issue and green is part of their mentality. Challenge for turbine producers are quality, efficiency laws and regulations. Since the turbine will produce quite a lot of power even in the 5 kW versions it becomes less practical to use local storage when the wind is blowing hard and therefore those are looking for the most efficient grid electricity buffering solutions and preferably feed in tariffs.

Area potential: This is already booming and has saved small scale wind business in many countries during the financial crisis

4. The business owner

Business rooftop wind power

5kW – 20 kW turbines are put onto the top of the office building to show the world how green their business is and if possible also get something back on the electricity bill. Challenge for turbine producers is to create a nice looking turbine that will create as little worry as possible for the manager deciding the investment.

Area potential: Very high since this is a win win for every office with a roof. The laws and regulations for these types of installations are usually easier in business sites and the size of the investment is low it is easily decided for most companies.

5. The local community

Small village wind power

Several 20-50kW turbines providing green energy for a small village or a community. The success of these type of wind farms depend on the friendliness of the village residents and their ability to find a nice location of the turbines. This is very popular in Germany for example where Feed in tariffs make it very profitable to store the overcapacity during windy days.

Area potential: The success in this area is closely connected to government laws and incentive programs. In countries where this is encouraged it is becoming very popular. There is and there will for a long time though be arguments from those who does not like wind turbines close to their back yard.