by Michael Gregson
![]()
Small scale wind technology is moving ahead – offering scope for more and more renewable electricity to be generated on a distributed basis.
Small scale wind technology is moving ahead – offering scope for more and more renewable electricity to be generated on a distributed basis.Good news for the planet and investors in renewables: inshore wind power has the potential to supply more than 40 times all the electricity consumed in the world. That’s the conclusion of an international team of scientists led by Professor Michael McElroy at Harvard University.
The Harvard study divides the world into areas of around 3,300 square kilometres, and then identifies regions that are suitable for wind generation. The calculation of the total potential is based on wind speed, air density, the spacing of turbines, and the size of turbine blades.
Very small wind turbines – those with a capacity of under 100kW – comprise the largest part of the small wind market. According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), sales in the US grew by 78% last year, totalling 17.3MW in terms of installed capacity, or 10,500 units, valued at $77 million. Worldwide, the AWEA reports growth of 53%. Global sales of small wind turbines amounted to $156 million, comprised of 19,000 units with installed capacity of 38.7MW.
Much of the US growth was down to private equity investment that allowed manufacturing volumes to increase in the commercial segment of the market (systems of between 21kW and 100kW). However, the residential market (1kW to 10kW) is the largest market segment.
