Is it feasible to use small household wind turbines for power generation? What issues should we pay attention to?

1、 Types and working principles of household small wind turbines
Wind power generation is distinguished by power, with those exceeding 750KW being large-scale wind power generation and those below being small and medium-sized wind power generation. In China, wind power generation equipment below 100KW is called small-scale wind power generation equipment, mainly used for rural power construction and mobile communication in households and areas without electricity. According to the construction principle and applicable environment, small wind turbines are mainly divided into two types: horizontal axis and vertical axis.
Horizontal axis wind turbines have fast rotational speeds and high power generation coefficients, but also relatively high noise levels. In addition, the power generation environment requires high standards, and the power generation equipment needs to be installed in a wind farm environment with an average annual wind speed of 5 to 15 meters per second in order to achieve optimal power generation performance. Vertical axis wind turbines have slower rotational speed, lower relative noise, and lower power generation compared to horizontal axis turbines. However, they have no location installation restrictions and can start generating electricity even in low wind speed environments. Therefore, they have been widely used in China.
The working principle of a wind turbine is to use wind power to drive the rotation of windmill blades, and then increase the rotational speed through a speed increasing machine to promote the generator to generate electricity. Specifically, the wind acts on the blades designed for aerodynamics, generating a lift difference that drives the impeller to rotate; The impeller is connected to the speed increasing gearbox through the main shaft, converting low-speed rotation into high-speed suitable for the operation of the generator; The high-speed shaft drives the rotor of the generator, cutting magnetic lines in the stator winding to generate electromagnetic induction, and generating alternating current according to Faraday's law; After being boosted by a transformer, the electricity is connected to the power grid or supplied to users.
2、 Feasibility of household small wind turbines for power generation
（1） Resource conditions
Wind turbines generate electricity using wind, therefore requiring a certain amount of wind resources. China has vast territory and abundant resources of wind energy. According to the National Geological Bureau, 76% of the country's total area can be utilized and developed for wind energy. If there is sufficient and stable wind power in the home environment, wind turbines can be used as a reliable clean energy source. For example, in some remote mountainous areas, islands and other areas with insufficient power grid coverage, wind resources are often abundant and suitable for installing small household wind turbines.
（2） Application Fields
At present, small household wind turbines in China are mainly used for household farmland irrigation, water well pumping, battery charging when fishing boats are anchored, power supply for snow melting equipment, and auxiliary power supply for police stations or fire stations in case of disasters. In rural areas, many households have achieved basic electricity needs such as lighting and watching TV by installing small wind turbines, improving their quality of life. In some areas without electricity, small wind turbines have become an important way for local residents to obtain electricity.
（3） Social benefits
Although the share of small-scale wind power generation industry in China's electricity supply and green energy is negligible in terms of installed capacity and power generation, its social benefits cannot be ignored. Nowadays, small household wind turbines in China have a relatively stable market, with an annual sales volume of over 30000 units. In many relatively remote areas, about 1.5 million farmers, herdsmen, and fishermen have achieved household electrification through household wind turbines, allowing electric lights and television to enter the homes of farmers, herdsmen, and fishermen. People can not only watch television VCD， Even refrigerators and washing machines were used, significantly improving the living standards of local residents.
In addition, the emergence of household wind turbines has changed the traditional energy structure of burning coal and charcoal, and the proportion of renewable energy has increased, making many places truly green and environmentally friendly. The emergence of electricity has also deepened the connection between local residents and the outside world. They can obtain more commercial information by listening to and watching television and radio, thereby selling their agricultural and sideline products at more reasonable prices and increasing their income.
3、 Precautions for using small household wind turbines
（1） Wind resource assessment
Before using household small wind turbines, it is necessary to fully understand the local wind resources, including the monthly wind speed changes throughout the year. Because wind turbines can only operate within a certain range of wind speeds, typically 3 to 25 meters per second. If the wind speed is too low, it will affect the power generation; If the wind speed is too high, it will cause damage to the equipment. Accurate assessment of local wind resources can be conducted by querying local meteorological data, consulting professional organizations, or using wind speed measurement instruments to determine whether it is suitable for installing wind turbines.
（2） Economic feasibility analysis
Although wind turbines themselves are free energy conversion equipment, due to the limitations of wind conditions, a large amount of investment is required in the early stage, including equipment purchase, installation and commissioning, and later maintenance costs. Therefore, in addition to using wind turbines for power generation, most households that require wind turbines for power generation are located in remote areas and often require government support. Before deciding on installation, a detailed analysis of economic feasibility should be conducted, considering factors such as equipment investment cost, power generation efficiency, maintenance costs, etc., to ensure that the investment can receive a reasonable return.
（3） Installation location selection
Wind turbines need to be installed in locations with good air circulation at high altitudes. When selecting the installation location, it is necessary to consider the impact of terrain, buildings, and other obstacles on the wind, and ensure that the blades of the wind turbine do not touch any objects. Generally speaking, one should choose places with higher terrain and unobstructed surroundings, such as roofs, open spaces, etc. At the same time, for wind turbines installed on roofs, the load-bearing capacity of the roof also needs to be considered, and it is generally recommended to install wind turbines below 3KW.
（4） Equipment selection and quality
Almost all small wind turbines below 400W on the market do not have braking, speed stabilization, or speed limiting functions. As long as there is enough wind power, the wind turbine can start generating electricity. However, the higher the wind power, the faster the speed. This can lead to the situation where the wind turbine head is thrown out due to excessive speed, which is extremely dangerous. According to normal safety regulations, wind turbines must have unloading function before use to prevent accidents such as wind turbine idling and runaway. Nowadays, small and medium-sized wind turbines generally have electromagnetic brakes, mechanical brakes, and side bias protection functions. The main function of the unloader is to prevent overcharging of the battery by increasing the load capacity and unloading excess electricity, which plays a certain speed limiting role. Therefore, when selecting equipment, it is important to choose products with reliable quality and comprehensive safety protection functions.
（5） Regular inspection and maintenance
The natural environment in which wind turbines operate is extremely harsh and requires regular inspection and maintenance to ensure the safety and reliability of the equipment. The inspection includes the functionality and performance of the mechanical and electrical parts, as well as whether the blades, towers, cables, etc. of the wind turbine are damaged or corroded. Maintenance includes cleaning and lubricating components, replacing damaged components, etc. For example, maintenance free batteries for small wind turbines should be kept clean in appearance; If there is a malfunction, please do not disassemble the equipment by yourself. Wind turbines should be inspected immediately before and after a major storm, and if any problems are found, the tower should be slowly lowered for maintenance.
（6） Safe operation
Attention should be paid to safety when using wind turbines. Operators need to receive professional training and wear necessary safety equipment such as helmets, seat belts, etc. During the operation, it is necessary to follow equipment and safety standards, strictly adhere to operating procedures and requirements. For example, before entering the wind turbine to perform any operation, the staff must check the wind turbine unit number and determine the type and scope of the work; Do not stay inside or near the tower during storms or thunderstorms; When carrying out work related to wind turbines, ensure that there are no unrelated personnel near or in the vicinity of the wind turbine.
（7） System monitoring and maintenance
Wind turbines are usually used as part of the entire system, so system monitoring and maintenance are required to ensure the performance and stability of the entire system. Monitoring and maintenance include regular inspections and maintenance of generators and controllers to ensure stable and reliable power output. By installing a monitoring system, real-time monitoring of the operating status, wind speed, voltage, current and other parameters of the generator can be carried out, and the data can be transmitted to the monitoring center through wireless network for remote monitoring and fault diagnosis.
4、 Conclusion
Small household wind turbines are a feasible power generation method with certain wind resource conditions, which can provide certain power support for households, especially in remote areas and areas without electricity, and have important application value. It can not only solve some electricity problems and improve residents' quality of life, but also bring significant social benefits, promote the utilization of renewable energy and environmental protection. However, when using small household wind turbines, attention should be paid to issues such as wind resource assessment, economic feasibility analysis, installation location selection, equipment selection and quality, regular inspection and maintenance, safe operation, and system monitoring and maintenance. Only by considering these factors comprehensively and selecting and using equipment reasonably can we ensure the safe, stable, and efficient operation of small household wind turbines, bringing real convenience and benefits to families.