The AOC 15/50 is a 50 Kilowatt downwind turbine that is manufactured here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It is in the class of a small wind turbine, which ranges between 20 W to 100 kW. The 15/50 refers to the 15-meter diameter fiberglass rotor and its projected rated output of 50 kW. It is based on a simple design with no nacelle. It comes with a standard tower that is 80 feet (24.4 m) tall with a self-supporting lattice structure. There are two different versions of this turbine. One is the 50 Hz version (made for overseas) and the other is a 60 Hz version (made for North America). This turbine has three main modes of operation, which are: Test, On, and Off. Both versions are designed to cut in at winds of 16.4 km/h. It also rotates freely to align with wind direction. It is an evolution of a design that has been tested around the world for more than 20 years.
How much wind can it withstand before shutting off?
The AOC 15/50 generally shuts down if winds reach a speed above 80.5 km/h. This happens to protect the turbine from being damaged while working in such high winds. Not to worry though, the AOC 15/50 has a peak survival wind speed of 214 km/h. Of course your wind turbine would not be spinning in winds that high.
Are there different tower options for the AOC 15/50?
Yes, there are several different tower options that you can choose from. The standard tower is a 3 legged steel lattice tower. Monopole tower options are also available, but they are more expensive to make and to ship. You can also get a towers in 100, 120 or 140 feet. If you want something a little different there is an option for an 80-foot tilt down tower. The tilt down tower can be lowered for maintenance or for any other reasons you would need the tower dropped and is also the best way to go if you are in a remote area because it does not require a crane.
On average, how many kWh will the AOC 15/50 produce annually?
This question is a little bit difficult to answer because it all depends on how much wind is hitting your turbine but we have come up with a few different calculations with a few different average wind speeds to give you a good idea as to how much power your turbine will produce. These are based on 100% availability as well.
50 Hz: - Avg Wind Speed of 24 km/h = approx. 145,000 kWh - Avg Wind Speed of 29 km/h = approx. 190,000 kWh
60 Hz: - Avg Wind Speed of 24 km/h = approx. 153,000 kWh - Avg Wind Speen of 29 km/h = approx. 215,000 kWh
Although these may not be exact they are a good estimate on how much power you will produce with your AOC 15/50 when it is running as it should.
How many homes would the AOC 15/50 be able to run?
Again this is a question that is a little hard to pin point an exact number but depending on the amount of wind in the area of the turbine, it would be able to generate enough electricity to power 10-30 homes!
What impact does a turbine this size have on the environment?
Wind turbines do not create air or water emissions and do not produce hazardous waste. They do not deplete natural resources such as coal, oil, or gas; nor do they cause environmental damage through resource extraction and transportation. When running with an annual wind speed of around 24 km/h it will displace approx. 156 tonnes of greenhouse gasses a year! With rising oil prices and the global warming situation we are currently dealing with today, the AOC 15/50 has nothing but a positive impact on the environment.
Is the AOC 15/50 very loud?
Noise has been a big issue for wind turbines in the past but they have come a long way in the past few decades. With all the new technology we have today, we are able to make our turbines more efficient and less noisy at the same time. The AOC 15/50 has blades made of epoxy-fiberglass composite so they are lighter and cut through the air more easily. It also has a constant, low speed blade rotation that doesn't allow it to spin any faster than 64 rpm. The sound of the AOC 15/50 at 100 feet is approx. 64 dB and it is approx. 52 dB at 400 feet. Chances are you wont be able to hear the turbine from inside your house or building.
What are some of the benefits of choosing the AOC 15/50 over other turbines?
The AOC 15/50 has proven reliability and durability combined with outstanding performance in remote climates. It has a simple design that requires minimal maintenance and it is flexible for off grid applications and net metering. Also, if you are in a remote area that requires an installation it has a tilt up tower that enables installations without the help of a crane.
What is the ideal use for the AOC 15/50?
The nice thing about our turbine is that it is ideal for most scenarios. Whether it is for commercial or industrial developments, farms, community centers or even municipalities the AOC 15/50 is the ideal turbine for you.
Will my insurance policy need to be changed?
Most of the time the answer to this question is no, usually your turbine can be placed into an existing insurance policy that covers other capital assets that you may have.
Does the AOC 15/50 work well with off-grid systems?
Yes, the AOC 15/50 can work very well with off-grid systems. You would need a different type of power controls but it definitely can be done.
Do I need a building permit to put up a turbine?
This all depends on you location. Different locations have different bylaws for things such as wind turbines. You would have to check the regulations for your area.
Do I have enough wind to put up a 50 kW turbine?
Again, this all depends on your location. Contact your Mamanna Renewable Energy rep for more details.
What is a wind turbine and how does it work?
There are two basic designs of wind electric turbines: vertical-axis, or "egg-beater" style, and horizontal-axis machines. Horizontal-axis wind turbines are most common. Turbine subsystems include:
- a rotor, or blades, which convert the wind's energy into rotational shaft energy a nacelle containing a drive train, usually including a gearbox and a generator
- a tower, to support the rotor and drive train
electronic equipment such as controls, electrical cables, ground support equipment interconnection equipment
What is "availability factor"?
Availability factor (or just "availability) is a measurement of the reliability of a wind turbine or other power plant. It refers to the percentage of time that a plant is ready to generate (that is, not out of service for maintenance or repairs). Modem wind turbines have an availability of more than 98%--higher than most other types of power plant. After two decades of constant engineering refinement, today's wind machines are highly reliable.
What can I run off of a wind turbine?
With the right equipment you can run anything off of a wind turbine. Wind turbines produce electricity and most things in your house run off of electricity. Wind turbines produce 3 phase AC power at some voltage and some frequency. The controller converts this to Direct Current (DC) usually in 12, 24, or 48v to charge your batteries. The problem is most of your appliances run on 110v Alternating Current (AC). An inverter will convert DC to AC so you can run your devices.
What is the noise level of a turbine?
Noise was an issue with some early wind turbine designs, but it has been largely eliminated as a problem through improved engineering and through appropriate use of setbacks from nearby residences. Aerodynamic noise has been reduced by adjusting the thickness of the blades' trailing edges and by orienting blades upwind of the turbine tower. A small amount of noise is generated by the mechanical components of the turbine. To put this into perspective, a wind turbine 250 meters from a residence is no noisier than a kitchen refrigerator.
How do small turbines compare to other alternatives?
Small wind turbines (ranging in size from 250 watts to 50 kW) are often the least expensive source of power for remote sites that are not connected to the utility system. Research has found wind to be cheaper for meeting remote loads than diesel generators, photovoltaic or utility transmission line extensions. (Micro-hydro also was found to be less expensive in many locations.) Hybrid systems--wind/photovoltaic, wind/diesel, and other combinations--can often provide the most efficient and cost-effective option for rural electrification. Photovoltaic (PV)-the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity--is often used to supplement wind power since PV tends to operate best in low wind months. Diesel generators or batteries can be used for backup power and to maintain power production during low wind seasons.
What is the ideal use for the AOC 15/50?
The nice thing about our turbine is that it is ideal for most scenarios. Whether it is for commercial or industrial developments, farms, community centers or even municipalities the AOC 15/50 is the ideal turbine for you.
