Capitol Hill in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

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Power from the Wind

Sustainable Solutions: Residential Wind Turbines

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 11, 2011

1. Power from the Wind Marker

Inscription.

Power from the Wind. Sustainable Solutions: Residential Wind Turbines. , You are looking at a Windspire, a vertical-axis wind turbine that generates electricity from wind power. This model produces about 2,000 kWh of electricity a year in an area with average wind speeds of 12 mph (about ¼ the needs of the average house). It can be used on-grid to power homes, businesses, even large commercial buildings, and off-grid, etc. The model you are viewing is a “giromill” style, which used vertical airfoils that, just like the airplane wings, use the concept of “lift”. Lift enables the rotor to spin around a little faster than the speed of the wind., Since it spins around a vertical axis, Windspire can catch the wind from any direction to turn the rotor without re-orienting itself. The airfoils also spin more slowly than the tips of propeller-style blades, rendering it virtually silent. Windspire was specifically designed with aesthetics and minimal cost in mind., How can a wind turbine convert wind power into electricity? , In areas of sufficient sustained wind, the rotor is turned in the same manner as a windmill. The rotating center pole (as seen here, can be either on vertical or horizontal axis) is attached to a generator containing strong magnets and coils inside. As the magnets rotate around the coils of copper wire, a magnetic field is created, which induces an electric current. The current is converted to useful AC current or DC current for battery-charging., How much electricity does a residential-scale wind turbine produce? , A wind turbine produces different amounts of electricity at different wind speeds. At higher sustained wind speeds, more energy is produced (for reasons of safety, residential turbines are limited to a maximum velocity). The energy generated from a wind turbine depends on the “windiness” of your site as measured by both the sustained wind speed and annual seasonal variability of the wind. With this information, it is possible to calculate an estimate of the amount of energy you will generate over a year.

You are looking at a Windspire, a vertical-axis wind turbine that generates electricity from wind power. This model produces about 2,000 kWh of electricity a year in an area with average wind speeds of 12 mph (about ¼ the needs of the average house). It can be used on-grid to power homes, businesses, even large commercial buildings, and off-grid, etc. The model you are viewing is a “giromill” style, which used vertical airfoils that, just like the airplane wings, use the concept of “lift”. Lift enables the rotor to spin around a little faster than the speed of the wind.

Since it spins around a vertical axis, Windspire can catch the wind from any direction to turn the rotor without re-orienting itself. The airfoils also spin more slowly than the tips of propeller-style blades, rendering it virtually silent. Windspire was specifically designed with aesthetics and minimal cost in mind.

How can a wind turbine convert wind power into electricity?
In areas of sufficient sustained wind, the rotor is turned in the same manner as a windmill. The rotating center pole (as seen here, can be either on vertical or horizontal axis) is attached to a generator containing strong magnets and coils inside. As the magnets rotate around the coils of copper wire, a magnetic field is created, which induces an electric current. The

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current is converted to useful AC current or DC current for battery-charging.

How much electricity does a residential-scale wind turbine produce?
A wind turbine produces different amounts of electricity at different wind speeds. At higher sustained wind speeds, more energy is produced (for reasons of safety, residential turbines are limited to a maximum velocity). The energy generated from a wind turbine depends on the “windiness” of your site as measured by both the sustained wind speed and annual seasonal variability of the wind. With this information, it is possible to calculate an estimate of the amount of energy you will generate over a year.

Erected by U.S. Department of Energy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 38° 53.314′ N, 77° 0.756′ W. Marker was in Southwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It was in Capitol Hill. Marker was at the intersection of Maryland Avenue Southwest and 1st Street Southwest, on the right when traveling east on Maryland Avenue Southwest. Marker is located on the north side

Marker at the Botanic Garden image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 11, 2011

2. Marker at the Botanic Garden

of the United States Botanic Garden. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 86 Maryland Avenue Southwest, Washington DC 20002, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. United States Botanic Garden (a few steps from this marker); Grains (a few steps from this marker); Citrus (within shouting distance of this marker); James A. Garfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Medicinal Natives (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Capitol Square, SW (within shouting distance of this marker); Onion Farm (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Southwest Washington.

Marker and Windspire image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 11, 2011

3. Marker and Windspire

The vertical-axis Windspire can be seen here behind the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 560 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.