Global Market for Small Wind Turbines

The wind energy market has witnessed enormous growth in the past few years as countries around the globe started increasing their use of renewable energy resources. The exponential growth of the wind energy market is fueled by the depleting reserves of fossil fuels, declining cost of wind power generation and a growing sensitivity for the environment.

Wind turbines are machines that have the ability to convert wind energy into electrical or kinetic energy. Small wind turbines are those turbines that have a power rating of 100 kilowatt or less. These turbines are a cost effective way to provide substantial amount of clean and renewable electricity. High initial costs and huge structure of the large wind turbines have given rise to the cheaper, small wind turbine market.

Small wind turbines are lightweight, which allow them to function with the lightest wind. These can be mounted on roof tops like a television antennae, and do not produce much noise. The most commonly used technology for these turbines is Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine, but other technologies like Loopwing Turbine (produce very less noise) are also available in the market.

For years, small wind turbines have been used to generate power to charge batteries. Technical developments have increased the efficiencies of these turbines, which are now being used to power homes and businesses. Further, government support and awareness for renewable energy, is likely to help the market for small wind turbines grow rapidly.

Due to the advanced technology, the wind turbine blades have become lighter, smaller, and also more efficient. Similarly, the rotor speeds have been slowed down to decrease noise, and vibration isolators have been introduced. Self-protecting technologies that help the wind turbine protect itself in cases of high wind speeds and active pitch controls to capture energy at these high speeds have also been introduced, further boosting the growth of the small wind turbine market worldwide.

With increasing environmental concerns, governments have shifted focus towards renewable generation of energy. Countries like the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, and many others have introduced polices and incentives for the development of the renewable energy industry in the country. Small wind turbine market has a huge potential for growth in these countries. The demand for small wind turbines will further increase with increasing natural gas prices and rising energy concerns.

In this industry scenario Taiyou Research analyzes the Global Market for Small Wind Turbines. The report covers the following:

- An introduction to wind power detailing the definition of wind, history of wind power, the technical concept behind wind power, pros and cons of wind power, as well as the concept of how a wind turbine works. Role of wind power in the environment is also discussed.

- We analyze why wind power should be the energy of choice in today's world, looking at the various benefits of wind power and how power is generated from wind.

- Choosing a potential site for siting a wind turbine is an important part of understanding how wind turbines function. We analyze this along with the role played by wind speed, topography and accessibility of the site, surface roughness and other factors that come into play.

- An analysis of wind power technology includes a discussion about the physical factors affecting market development, the various types of turbines available, power output of a turbine, cost of a wind turbine, turbine size and it matters, efficiency factors, lifetime of a turbine, and many other factors are analyzed.

- Moving on to the analysis of the global market for small wind turbines, we begin the analysis with a technical definition of what small wind turbines are. History of small wind turbines, their uses and classification, applications of small wind turbines, and the differences between small wind turbines and large wind turbines are included in this introductory section.

- An analysis of small wind turbine technology includes an overview of the technology used for small wind turbines, a look at hybrid systems and standalone systems. Grid connected systems are also analyzed, along with wind-diesel systems. Basic small wind turbine system components such as rotor, turbine tower, generator, gearbox, and others are analyzed.

- An analysis of the global market for small wind turbines includes a market profile, an analysis of the global small wind turbine installed capacity, an analysis of the power generated from small wind turbines globally, a look at the various small wind turbines in operation around the world, and industry trends. Technological trends in the industry are also analyzed. In the section on small wind turbines types, we look at the features of some of the leading small wind turbines types such as AIR X, NorthWind 100, R9000, etc.

- Factors impacting the global small wind turbine market are analyzed. Factors analyzed include favorable regulations and the role of incentives, the rising investment in wind power, the lack of proper electric infrastructure in many countries to support the growth of small wind turbines industry, and many others.

- We carry out a cost analysis of the industry, looking at how cost efficient small wind turbines are.

- Moving on to the actual analysis of the small wind turbines in leading countries, we analyze the market in Canada, China, Denmark, India, Germany, Spain, the UK and the United States. For the major countries such as Canada, the UK, and the US we profile the industry in a more in-depth manner including the regulations impacting the wind power sector segregated by states/provinces; we include an analysis of the power generated from small wind turbines; the installed capacity of small wind turbines in each country, market revenues as well as the price of small wind turbines in each country. For emerging markets such as China, India, Denmark, Germany and others, the analysis includes installed capacity of small wind turbines, a look at the market profile, and regulatory framework.

- The major players in the global market for small wind turbines are analyzed through a market share profile, and then an analysis of each player. We include an in-depth analysis of the major players in the industry such as Southwest Windpower, Northern Power Systems, Bergey Windpower, Bornay Wind Turbines, Vestas, Sinovel, and many others.

An appendix and glossary of terms along with a description of the research methodology used in this research report completes this in-depth profile of the global market for small wind turbines. SHOW LESS READ MORE >

1. Executive Summary

2. Introduction to Wind Power
2.1 Overview
2.2 Definition of Wind
2.3 History of Wind Power
2.4 Technical Idea behind Wind Power
2.5 Advantages & Disadvantages of Wind Power
2.6 How the Wind Turbine Works?
2.7 Variable Wind Output
2.8 Wind Power & the Environment

3. Why Choose Wind Power?
3.1 Overview
3.2 Benefits of Wind Power
3.3 Power Generation from Wind

4. Choosing a Potential Site for Siting a Wind Turbine
4.1 Wind Speed
4.2 Topography and Accessibility
4.3 Surface Roughness
4.4 Location of Transmission Lines
4.5 Ideal Height & Size

5. Wind Power Technology
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Physical Factors Affecting Market Development
5.3 Types of Turbines
5.4 Airborne Wind Turbine
5.5 Wind Turbine’s Power Output
5.6 Cost of a Wind Turbine
5.7 Turbine Size
5.8 Efficiency Factors
5.9 Offshore Wind Turbines
5.10 Lifetime of a Turbine
5.11 History of Wind Turbines: Brief Profile
5.11.1 Technological Challenges
5.11.2 Aerodynamic Stall
5.11.3 Fatigue Cycles
5.11.4 Commercialization of Wind Power

6. Introduction to Small Wind Turbines
6.1 Definition of Small Wind Turbines
6.2 History of Small Wind Turbines
6.3 Uses of SWTs and their Classification
6.4 Applications of Small Wind Turbines
6.5 Differences between Small Wind Turbines and Large Wind Turbines

7. Analysis of Small Wind Turbine Technology
7.1 Overview
7.2 Hybrid Systems
7.3 Stand Alone and Grid Connected Systems
7.4 Wind-Diesel Systems
7.5 Basic Small Wind System Components
7.5.1 Rotor
7.5.2 Turbine Tower
7.5.3 Generator
7.5.4 Gearbox
7.5.5 Nacelle
7.5.6 Yaw System
7.5.7 Control and Protection Systems
7.5.8 Batteries
7.5.9 Monitoring System

8. Small Wind Turbines: Global Market Analysis
8.1 Market Profile
8.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity
8.3 Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines
8.4 Small Wind Turbine Types
8.5 Industry Trends
8.6 Industry Technological Trends

9. Factors Impacting the Global Small Wind Turbines Market
9.1 Favorable Regulations & Incentives
9.2 Rising Investment in Wind Power to Secure Energy Future
9.3 Lack of Proper Infrastructure to Support Growth
9.4 Increased Pressure on Manufacturers

10. Cost Analysis: How Cost Efficient are Small Wind Turbines?
10.1 Cost Components of Small Wind Turbines
10.2 Impacts on SWT Cost

11. Market for Small Wind Turbines in Canada
11.1 Market Profile
11.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in Canada
11.3 Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in Canada
11.4 Market Analysis by Turbine Range
11.5 Regulatory Framework
11.5.1 Wind Power Policies in Alberta
11.5.2 Wind Power Policies in British Columbia
11.5.3 Wind Power Policies in Manitoba
11.5.4 Wind Power Policies in New Brunswick
11.5.5 Wind Power Policies in Ontario
11.5.6 Wind Power Policies in Prince Edward Island
11.5.7 Wind Power Policies in Quebec
11.5.8 Wind Power Policies in Saskatchewan
11.6 Market Revenues
11.7 Price of Small Wind Turbines in Canada

12. Market for Small Wind Turbines in China
12.1 Market Profile
12.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in China
12.3 Regulatory Framework

13. Market for Small Wind Turbines in Denmark
13.1 Market Profile
13.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in Denmark
13.3 Regulatory Framework

14. Market for Small Wind Turbines in India
14.1 Market Profile
14.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in India
14.3 Regulatory Framework

15. Market for Small Wind Turbines in Germany
15.1 Market Profile
15.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in Germany
15.3 Regulatory Framework

16. Market for Small Wind Turbines in Spain
16.1 Market Profile
16.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in Spain
16.3 Regulatory Framework

17. Market for Small Wind Turbines in the UK
17.1 Market Profile
17.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in the UK
17.3 Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in the UK
17.4 Market Analysis by Turbine Range
17.5 Regulatory Framework
17.6 Market Revenues
17.7 Price of Small Wind Turbines in the UK

18. Market for Small Wind Turbines in the US
18.1 Market Profile
18.2 Small Wind Turbine Installed Capacity in the US
18.3 Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in the US
18.4 Market Analysis by Turbine Range
18.5 Regulatory Framework
18.5.1 Wind Power Policies in California
18.5.2 Wind Power Policies in Colorado
18.5.3 Wind Power Policies in Iowa
18.5.4 Wind Power Policies in Minnesota
18.5.5 Wind Power Policies in Nevada
18.5.6 Wind Power Policies in Oregon
18.6 Market Revenues
18.7 Price of Small Wind Turbines in the US

19. Global Market for Small Wind Turbines: Market Share Analysis

20. Analysis of Major Players
20.1 Southwest Windpower
20.2 Northern Power Systems
20.3 Entegrity Wind Systems
20.4 Bergey Windpower
20.5 Proven Energy
20.6 Bornay Wind Turbines
20.7 Eoltec
20.8 Fortis Windenergy
20.9 Superwind
20.10 Sinovel Wind Group
20.11 Vestas Wind Systems

21. Appendix

22. Glossary

23. Research Methodology

List of Figures

Figure 1: Power Curve for Wind Turbine
Figure 2: Energy Produced at Various Wind Speeds at Typical Wind Farm Site
Figure 3: Energy Produced at Various Wind Speeds at Typical Site
Figure 4: Capacity Factor in% of Rated Power
Figure 5: Aerodynamics of Wind Power
Figure 6: Components in a Simplified Wind Turbine
Figure 7: Airborne Wind Generator
Figure 8: Main Components of a Wind Turbine and their Share of the Overall Turbine Cost for a 5 MW Wind Turbine
Figure 9: Turbine Diameter Growth with Time
Figure 10: Growth in Size of Commercial Wind Turbine Designs
Figure 11: Development of the Average Wind Turbine Size Sold in Different Countries (in KW)
Figure 12: Increase in Turbine Prices from 2007 to 2009
Figure 13: Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT)
Figure 14: Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT)
Figure 15: Hybrid Electric Systems and Wind Technology
Figure 16: Stand Alone (Off-grid) Small Wind System
Figure 17: Grid Connected Small Wind System
Figure 18: Small Wind Turbine System Components
Figure 19: Global Small Wind Turbine Industry Installed Capacity (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 20: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines (GWh) 2006-2020
Figure 21: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Canada (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 22: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in Canada (GWh) 2006-2020
Figure 23: Output of Small Wind Turbines in Canada by Turbine Range (MW), 2010
Figure 24: Market Revenues of the Canadian Small Wind Turbine Market (USD Million) 2006-2020
Figure 25: Average Price of Small Wind Turbines in Canada (USD/Watt) 2006-2020
Figure 26: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in China (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 27: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Denmark (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 28: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in India (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 29: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Germany (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 30: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Spain (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 31: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in the UK (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 32: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in the UK (GWh) 2006-2020
Figure 33: Output of Small Wind Turbines in the UK by Turbine Range (MW), 2010
Figure 34: Market Revenues of the UK Small Wind Turbine Market (USD Million) 2006-2020
Figure 35: Average Price of Small Wind Turbines in the UK (USD/Watt) 2006-2020
Figure 36: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in the US (MW) 2006-2020
Figure 37: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in the US (GWh) 2006-2020
Figure 38: Output of Small Wind Turbines in the US by Turbine Range (MW), 2010
Figure 39: Market Revenues of the US Small Wind Turbine Market (USD Million) 2006-2020
Figure 40: Average Price of Small Wind Turbines in the US (USD/Watt) 2006-2020
Figure 41: Market Share of Major Industry Players (%), 2010
Figure 42: Overall Wind Farm Costs
Figure 43: Global Turbine Installations and Forecast
Figure 44: Typical Power Curve of a Wind Turbine
Figure 45: Workings of a Wind Turbine
Figure 46: Major Components of a Wind Turbine
Figure 47: Wind Turbine Major Subcomponents
Figure 48: Annual Wind Turbine Installations
Figure 49: Market Share of Large Turbine Manufacturers, 2010
Figure 50: Production Process of Wind Turbines

List of Tables

Table 1: Four Optional Installation Systems for Offshore Wind Power
Table 2: Classification of Small Wind Turbines
Table 3: Applications for Small Wind Turbines
Table 4: Major Features of Small Wind Turbines
Table 5: Global Small Wind Turbine Industry Installed Capacity (MW) 2006-2020
Table 6: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines (GWh) 2006-2020
Table 7: Characteristics of Turbine Type AOC 15/50
Table 8: Characteristics of Turbine Type AIR X
Table 9: Characteristics of Turbine Type Bergey Excel-S 10.0 kW
Table 10: Characteristics of Turbine Type Bergey XL.1
Table 11: Characteristics of Turbine Type EW50
Table 12: Characteristics of Turbine Type NorthWind 100
Table 13: Characteristics of Turbine Type Skystream 3.7
Table 14: Characteristics of Turbine Type R9000
Table 15: Characteristics of Turbine Type PROVEN 3.2
Table 16: Major Small Wind Power Turbines
Table 17: Cost Components of Small Wind Turbines
Table 18: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Canada (MW) 2006-2020
Table 19: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in Canada (GWh) 2006-2020
Table 20: Output of Small Wind Turbines in Canada by Turbine Range (MW), 2010
Table 21: Green Power Targets for Canadian Provinces in 2010
Table 22: Market Revenues of the Canadian Small Wind Turbine Market (USD Million) 2006-2020
Table 23: Average Price of Small Wind Turbines in Canada (USD/Watt) 2006-2020
Table 24: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in China (MW) 2006-2020
Table 25: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Denmark (MW) 2006-2020
Table 26: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in India (MW) 2006-2020
Table 27: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Germany (MW) 2006-2020
Table 28: Wind Energy Policy in the German EEG 2009
Table 29: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in Spain (MW) 2006-2020
Table 30: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in the UK (MW) 2006-2020
Table 31: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in the UK (GWh) 2006-2020
Table 32: Output of Small Wind Turbines in the UK by Turbine Range (MW), 2010
Table 33: Feed-in-Tariffs for Wind Turbines in the UK
Table 34: Banding of Renewable Energy Resources Under RO Order 2009
Table 35: Market Revenues of the UK Small Wind Turbine Market (USD Million) 2006-2020
Table 36: Average Price of Small Wind Turbines in the UK (USD/Watt) 2006-2020
Table 37: Installed Capacity of Small Wind Turbines in the US (MW) 2006-2020
Table 38: Power Generation from Small Wind Turbines in the US (GWh) 2006-2020
Table 39: Output of Small Wind Turbines in the US by Turbine Range (MW), 2010
Table 40: Incentive Levels for Wind Program in Nevada in 2010-2011
Table 41: Market Revenues of the US Small Wind Turbine Market (USD Million) 2006-2020
Table 42: Average Price of Small Wind Turbines in the US (USD/Watt) 2006-2020
Table 43: Market Share of Major Industry Players (%), 2010
Table 44: Percentage of Materials Used in Current Wind Turbine Component

- Southwest Windpower
- Northern Power Systems
- Entegrity Wind Systems
- Bergey Windpower
- Proven Energy
- Bornay Wind Turbines
- Eoltec
- Fortis Windenergy
- Superwind
- Sinovel Wind Group
- Vestas Wind Systems