Bergey Windpower Co. realized the potential of Wind Power as a source of energy; all the more relevant today with sky–rocketing gas prices. But they took this one step further by creating the wind energy system as a smaller unit apt for individual and business use. Though the small wind turbine has been around for over one hundred years, the unique value offered by the company is in packaging a small wind machine that an individual can understand, buy, and install to satisfy his or her need to have a reliable, economical, and ecologically neutral form of energy generation.
Innovation
Generating your own clean power, spinning your utility meter backwards, and taking pride in the knowledge that you are contributing toward the health of the planet - Bergey Windpower has successfully concocted this opportunity for their customers through small wind turbines. Whether the incentive for the customer is in terms of state specific tax rebates, cost saving, overcoming problem of power outages, wishing for more choices or an honest desire to help the environment, the company provides Windpower solutions for homeowners, businesses, off-grid homes, rural electrifications, and for those looking for a booster for solar electric systems.
The original design began in 1977 on a small horizontal-axis wind turbine meant for manufacturing applicaitons. During the following two years a number of advanced technologies including special airfoils, passive blade pitching, passive rotor speed control, and low-speed permanent magnet alternators were developed and integrated. These developments resulted in several patents and the unique "sophisticated simplicity" wind turbine design for which the company is known throughout the world.
In its most basic form this home wind energy system has a wind turbine, tower, power processor, new energy meter, existing breaker panel, and a utility power line. The wind turbine captures the energy in the wind with its three blades. These blades turn a generator that produces electricity operating automatically and protecting itself during storms and other weather conditions. The tower puts the wind turbine high enough to avoid turbulence caused by the ground and nearby obstacles. The electricity produced by the wind turbine is not directly compatible with the high quality power supplied by the utility company. The power processor takes the “wild electricity” from the wind turbine and makes it the same as utility power. The additional energy meter allows the user to know how much energy has been produced. The wind system connects to the existing breaker panel using a dedicated circuit breaker. Utility power line is the connection between the home and the power company.
This system is appended to the household wiring. The idea is that it works cooperatively with the utility power. In the event of insufficient strength of the wind the power company supplies all the required power. As the wind turbine begins to work, the power drawn from the power company is continually reduced, causing the power meter to slow down to the extent of it ceasing to run if the wind power completely meets the energy requirement. The innovation does not stop here. If the wind turbine produces more power than one needs it is sold to the power company. Rates vary, but in most States the utility meter actually turns backwards.
The product is offered as a do-it-yourself installation with a meticulous procedure laid out on the company’s website. The vast amount of data and tools on the webpage also enables the customer to do an independent need analysis and calculate the costs and benefits before making a decision.
In addition to the systems that are designed around reducing the customer’s energy bills, the company has also designed products to tackle the problems of long power outages in few regions. This product has batteries and special electronics to supply the power in case of an outage.
Impact
As compared to coal, natural gas and nuclear energy, wind power has definite environmental advantages. It emits no pollution, has the lowest cost as a source of energy and directly reduces the coal and natural gas burnt by utility companies.
The positive impact may be gauged by many successful projects executed by the company. Bergey wind-electric water pumping system installed at a commune in Northeast Morocco is an inspiring case in point. It is a 10 kW Bergey Excel wind turbine that drives an electric sump pump that draws water from the community’s natural spring. The system was originally serviced by a diesel driven pump, but poor reliability made the life-giving water a hit or miss proposition. The Bergey small wind turbine has greatly increased the reliability of fresh water in the area with a reported tripling of available water. As a result the population has grown and the area is prospering. Water has been sold to neighboring communities and additional, smaller turbines have been installed in the area for both water pumping and electricity.
The profitability achieved by the company has established it as the leader in the production of small wind power turbines. The vast expanse of its business in US as well as 100 other countries around the world restores the faith in the proposition that the social and environmental issues of the world are business opportunities that create beautiful synergies.
The company’s pioneering performances and positive influence on environment and people has not gone unnoticed. In 1992 BWC was recognized by American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) "For outstanding accomplishment in developing international markets for small wind turbine technology." It has also received two national design awards from the Society of the Plastics Industry for its fiberglass rotor blades.
Inspiration
Today, with renewed interest in sustainability and the search for an answer to the problem of escalating energy prices, global warming, urban sprawl and self-sufficiency Bergey’s business is in a newly forming sweet spot that bodes well for their tornado tested designs. The concern for the environment and the customer is evident in the company’s recommendations like investing in conservation through efficiency upgrades before installing the wind power turbine. We may very well be in the early days of the fourth era of small wind generation in the United States and companies like Bergey Windpower that anticipated this wave of change will no doubt be leading the charge.
The World Inquiry editorial team edited this profile from the original submission of the interviewer or other source. The views expressed do not necessarily represent Case Western Reserve University, the Weatherhead School of Management or the Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. More >>
