Being based in the Midwest, we find ourselves thinking about the possibility of a power outage on a regular basis. Spring brings rain and thunderstorms. Winter has its own set of storms not to mention ice, and tornados are a household conversation. Chances are if you live in Kansas or any surrounding areas you have gone without power more than once.

When we talk about back up or “alternative power” the conversation is typically working its way towards stand alone generators. However, we are often asked about our experience with other sources of power and today were going to cover what we know about generating power through wind and water sources.

If you can believe it, not a lot has changed in the way we generate electricity since its inception. Of course, I speak in regard to the primitive way force becomes energy. To put it lightly, we are still spinning a wheel. In a roundabout way, the generation of electricity to this day is still fundamentally based on creating a circular motion (force) and harnessing the byproduct, energy.

The only difference between wind and water generation is the catalyst that pushes the wheel. In a wind turbine, the wind pushes massive blades specifically designed for this purpose, turning a rotor. The rotor is attached to a gear box which greatly increases the speed. This rotor now turns quick enough inside the metal cage with copper windings (stator) to move electrons creating a flow of energy. This energy typically travels directly out to the power grid to supply a city, or can be stored in a series of batteries for later use.

Water generation or hydroelectric power runs off the same principle, only the natural flow of water is what turns the wheel. It is said you need at least a twenty-foot grade of water fall to generate enough force.

There are many variables that come into play with either of these sources that can make generating constant energy a difficult task.

Speaking with several clients who have exhausted many hours, days and weeks trying to either go “off grid” or just reduce their reliance on grid power, I have come to the conclusion that although these sources are readily available, they are just not reliable enough to count on strictly by themselves. For commercial and industrial use, they can have a major positive impact. However, for residential use they are tricky and difficult to navigate even for a small amount of usable energy. Most successful operations we have seen utilize at least 2 to 3 types of power generation as well as tap into the grid for reliability.

We would never tell someone not to use these sources. We would just caution against full reliance without the presence of some type of grid or back up gas powered generator.