As we become increasingly aware of the need to find sustainable and efficient energy sources, wind power is becoming an increasingly attractive option, and surprisingly even more so on a distributed basis, thanks to the fervor around energy independence these days. Grid-scale wind farms are currently in operation in more than 75 countries around the world. While these turbines can produce a significant volume of power, bigger is not always better.

Sustainability: One of the main criticisms leveled at onshore wind farms is that they require a lot of land to be effective. This can be an issue in terms of sustainability, as it can lead to deforestation, ecosystem interruption, and environmental destruction. In addition, the construction of wind farms can also have a negative impact on local wildlife, particularly birds. Installing offshore wind farms in places like the Caribbean or South Pacific would mean significant damage to coral reefs and potential migration impacts for many whales/dolphins or other marine mammals.

Efficiency: Another concern about wind farms is their efficiency. Horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) only operate at an average of 35-38% efficiency.  These numbers have improved by only a few percent over the last 20 years, and there is a physical cap on the efficiency of ANY horizontal-axis wind turbine of 59.3%, according to the Betz Limit. Even so, with the massive global push offshore, additional maintenance issues continue to challenge the believed costs to even these low-efficiency numbers.

Profitability: Another major issue facing existing wind farms is their profitability. The cost of constructing and maintaining a wind farm is relatively high, and the return on investment can be quite low. This is particularly true in island nations where land is typically scarce ad thus very expensive, not to mention the utility’s price of the grid connection continuing to climb. 

In addition, the subsidies that are currently available to wind farms are being phased out in many countries, and recycling is a growing concern for them all.

Are large-scale wind turbines and wind farms really the best option for the future? Or are there too many concerns about their sustainability, efficiency, and profitability? What if wind power could be generated directly from a building's rooftop instead of imported from offshore sources? What if a turbine system was compact enough to be installed in cities and places with a limited construction footprint? What if an array of turbines could be flexibly configured to ensure maximum efficiency and electricity generation? What if power were designed around the needs of the building?  What if your company could reach its sustainability and profitability goals simultaneously?

Global Wind Day is an annual event celebrated on June 15th each year that celebrates the power of wind energy and the technological advances that make it more efficient and cost-effective than ever before. The future of wind power is looking very promising. Advances in technology are making it possible to generate more power from smaller turbines, and this is opening up new possibilities for where wind power can be used.

One of the most exciting potential applications for wind power is generating electricity directly from a building's rooftop through the Hover Wind-Powered Microgrid™. A microgrid is a small, independent power system that can operate autonomously (“islanded”) or connect to the larger grid, and the patented technology designed by Hover Energy has been specifically engineered to provide a customizable, renewable energy solution.

The Hover Wind-Powered Microgrid™ uses cutting-edge technology that achieves groundbreaking energy density output to harness the power of the wind in combination with solar power and energy storage, making it a reliable solution for locations where space is at a premium. These hybrid energy systems take the strengths of each technology to create a super system that is reliable and cost-effective. What's more, the microgrid is easily scalable, so it can be adapted to meet the specific energy needs of any community. Achieving energy independence on a smaller scale is the first step toward full resiliency.

This advanced technology would allow companies to meet their sustainability goals while also reducing their energy costs. This is all thanks to the breakthrough invention of powerful, compact turbines, which are a key development making wind power more viable in urban & suburban areas.

At Hover Energy, we believe that wind energy is key to a sustainable future. That's why we're committed to developing innovative solutions that make it more accessible and affordable. Our mission is to help turn the built environment into a power source. We hope that Global Wind Day will inspire others to join us in this effort and help make the world a cleaner, greener place for all.

Hover is here to help you achieve your energy goals. Contact us today at 214-771-9747 or info@hoverenergy.com or visit https://hoverenergy.com/ to schedule a no-obligation consultation.