Fundamentals of Wind Energy

Throughout history mankind has relied on wind energy. Small, then larger sailing vessels made global travel and trade possible thousands of years ago. We can follow these ancient trade routes through artifacts of culture and migration patterns of ancient peoples. Our Latin American countries were visited by Polynesians and later by Europeans sailing across the vast seas in tiny ships powered by the wind.

Four thousand years ago the very first wind turbines were constructed in Mesopotamia to mill grain. Amazingly, these very early wind turbines were vertical axis or VAWT (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) rather than the common horizontal or propeller type designs so familiar today. For the past two hundred years windmills have driven pumps, sawmills, grain mills, grape presses and generators across rural areas that had no access to an electrical power grid.

The evolution of this ancient technology has brought us to a new age in wind power. Large modern wind turbines are used to generate large amounts of electricity from windy mountain tops, open prairies and even from “wind farms” far out at sea. Wind energy is truly critical to our future.

In Central America, and especially in Costa Rica and Nicaragua, there is an abundance of wind, sun, geothermal and biomass resources! Our strategic position on this narrow isthmus of land between two huge oceans, the Atlantic/Carib and the Pacific, creates an endless source of energy as the warm Atlantic tries to transfer energy to the cooler Pacific. The ‘engine’ that drives these winds is seasonal to some degree, but fortunately operates day and night during much of the year, especially in exposed mountain and coastal areas. As a result wind has the best potential to provide economic and reliable energy to both large and small scale generators, including individual homes and businesses.

It is up to us to harness this energy. Costa Rica and Nicaragua both have large commercial wind farms in operation (Tilaran) or planned (Santa Cruz, El Crucero, Rivas. However, new technologies make efficient wind generation accessible to all consumers, even at the small residential level.

A good fact to know is that doubling wind speed allows you to generate eight times more power! For this reason the latest VAWT or vertical axis turbines are a huge advance over the traditional horizontal wind turbines. These new vertical axis turbines (fundamentally similar to the 4,000 year old Assyrian models!), have multiple advantages, including:

• generating power at much higher wind speeds, ie more power, than is practical or safe with traditional horizontal or propeller type turbines
• providing clean energy, independent of ICE or Union Fenosa
• producing little or no noise or vibration (compared to the common horizontal turbines)
• birds, bats and other flying animals are unharmed as the turbines appear as solid objects to them
• you and your neighbor's views and solitude are not disturbed (no towers and no noise to worry about)
• providing sustainable, emission free, clean energy which helps protect our environment and its biodiversity

The domestic market for small wind turbines is growing and growing rapidly. People need consistent and reliable power. Millions of residents of North and South America, homeowners, farmers and business owners want their own electricity from clean, sustainable renewable resources. Small wind turbine technology together with solar PV offers the best hope of clean renewable energy.

Small wind turbines produce 1-5kW (kilowatts), enough for a residence, hotel, finca or commercial building. The evolution of the VAWT has led to competition for the most efficient small wind turbine and there are many choices today. Small wind turbines can operate almost anywhere with a minimum of wind. They are highly reliable, have few moving parts and require a minimum of maintenance. Wind energy can be an affordable energy option for homes and businesses. Wind energy can be a significant contributor to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities in areas without electrification or unreliable energy sources.

Many areas of Costa Rica and Nicaragua are undergoing explosive growth in development and are underserved with power and water. This renewable energy sector will alleviate the strains of this over-development. Small wind turbines will someday be considered a household appliance.

In the future, we hope for incentives for clean renewable power in the form of tax credits, net metering, rebate programs and low cost loans. There needs to be a combined effort from the private sector, industry and government to increase the contribution of wind turbine energy to our electric generation mix.

Just as the biological diversity of Costa Rica and Nicaragua adds to the stability of the ecosystem, energy diversification will add to the stability and security of our countries.