Rural Electric Nebraskan

June 2012

Home-Scale

Wind Turbines

Home-Scale

Wind Turbines

Should you install one?

June 2012 3

“The Rural Voice of Nebraska”

Volume 66, Number 6, June 2012

Features

Beat the Heat 6

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort and convenience to save onyour electric bill. All it takes is smart planning, a little elbowgrease, and dedication to beating the heat — and high bills.Writer Magen Howard shares a few ideas on how to reduce yourelectric bill this summer.

Home-Scale Wind Turbines 12

Max Van Skiver, general manager of South Central Public PowerDistrict, takes a look at home-scale wind turbines in Nebraska.Using the average production statistics of 10 wind turbines oper-ating in the western half of Nebraska that came into service overa span of 42 months, he addresses the common question of “Howmuch money can I expect to save if I install a wind turbine?”

Departments

On the cover

Concern for the environment and rising costs for electricity have sparked aninterest in renewable energy systems, notably small wind turbines forhomes. See related story on Page 12. Photograph by Wayne Price.

Contents

EDITOR’S PAGE 4

SAFETY BRIEFS — Murphy 16

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS by James Dulley 18

RECIPES 20

ADULT PEN PALS 21

MARKETPLACE/CLASSIFIEDS 22

Staff

Editor

Wayne Price

Editorial Assistant

Kathy Barkmeier

Published by the

Visit us at www.nrea.org

General Manager

Jay Holmquist

President

Gary Dill,

Roosevelt Public Power District

Vice President/Secretary

Randy Papenhausen,

Cedar-Knox Public Power District

Treasurer

Ron Jensen

Loup Valleys Rural

Public Power District

Published monthly by the Nebraska Rural Electric

Association, 1244 K Street, Box 82048, Lincoln,

Nebraska 68501, (402) 475-4988.

Advertising in the Rural Electric Nebraskan doesnot imply endorsement for products by theNebraska Rural Electric Association.Correspondence should be sent to Wayne Price,Editor, Rural Electric Nebraskan, Box 82048,Lincoln, NE 68501.

The Rural Electric Nebraskan is printed by JacobNorth Companies, Box 82046, Lincoln, NE68501. Form 3579 should be sent to the RuralElectric Nebraskan, Box 82048, Lincoln, NE68501.

Periodicals postage paid at Lincoln, Neb. POST-MASTER: send address changes to the RuralElectric Nebraskan, 1244 K Street, Box 82048,Lincoln, NE 68501.

Publication numbers are USPS 071-630 andISSN 0193-4937.

Rates: $10 for one year; $15 for two years; $20for three years, plus local and state tax.

t is just over 34 miles from my house tothe office so I get to spend a bit of timein my car each day commuting back and

forth. My car gets pretty good gas mileagebut with a gallon of unleaded gas costingabout a dollar more than it did last year atthis time, I’m always trying to improve fuelefficiency whenever I can. I have tried to reduce the amount of quick

trips to the store or the bank. Now I try toschedule a single trip with multiple stops. Itry to visit places that are on my way home,rather than go to stores that are on the otherside of town. Those impulse trips out to just“look around” at a store during my lunchbreak are a thing of the past. It is amazing how quickly those little trips

can add up. In a recent press release TheAlliance to Save Energy has calculated thatthe average U.S. household will spend about$3,500 to power its vehicles this year – $800more than last year. That sort of increase is amajor burden for a lot of Nebraskans, includ-ing me. Taking steps to improve fuel efficien-cy can help keep more money in your walletand will help your vehicle last longer. One way to increase your vehicle’s fuel eff-

icency is to make sure it’s running at its max-imum potential. Be sure to have your vehicletuned up and checked out for other mainte-nance problems. Fixing a problem, such as afaulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage byup to 40 percent.Making sure the tires are properly inflated

can improve mileage by up to 3.3 percent.According to the U.S. Department of Energy(DOE), under-inflated tires can lower gasmileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop inpressure in all four tires. In addition, properinflation improves tire longevity – and yoursafety while driving. DOE cautions not to goby the maximum pressure printed on thetire’s sidewall, but to find the proper tirepressure for your own vehicle on a sticker onthe driver’s side door jamb or in the glovebox, as well as in your owner’s manual.Be sure to use the manufacturer’s recom-

mended grade of motor oil when you get youroil changed. Using a different grade couldcost you a reduction in mileage by up to 2percent. For example, says DOE, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-

30 can decrease mileage by 1 to 2 percent;and using 5W-30 in an engine designed for5W-20 can lower mileage by 1 to 1.5 percent.The Department of Energy also advises look-ing for the phrase “Energy Conserving” onthe American Petroleum Institute perform-ance symbol to ensure that the oil containsfriction-reducing additives.Look in the trunk and make sure it is not

filled with unnecessary items. The extraweight you’re carrying around in the trunkcould reduce your mileage by up to 2 percent.It’s a good idea to have an emergency kit butyou shouldn’t carry around a lot of extra stuff.Same goes for a roof rack. If you’re carrying

a lot of things on the roof, you could be cuttingyour fuel economy by 5 percent.Another way to improve your fuel efficency

is to change your driving habits and slowdown where you can. Forms of aggressivedriving, such as speeding, rapid accelerationand rapid braking, can lower gas mileage by33 percent on the highway and by 5 percentin town.Speeding has a significant impact on fuel

efficiency. Gas mileage drops at speeds above60 miles per hour. Each five miles per hourover 60 is like paying an extra 24 cents pergallon of gas. Letting your car idle wastes gas and money.

An idling engine gets zero miles per gallonwhile still burning fuel in the tank. Vehicleswith larger engines typically waste more gasat idle than those with small engines.The Alliance to Save Energy suggests plan-

ning your trips carefully. Combining errandsinto a single trip will save time and money.Multiple short trips made from a cold startcan use twice as much fuel as a multipurposetrip covering the same distance when theengine is warm. If you’re doing any driving in a larger city,

plan your outings during off-peak hours toavoid heavy traffic. Stop and go traffic condi-tions can increase your fuel costs and stresslevel.Consider other alternatives to driving if

you can. If the weather’s nice, try walking tothe Post Office, instead of getting in your car.Take advantage of carpools to cut your week-ly fuel costs and save wear on your car bytaking turns driving with other commuters.

Rural Electric Nebraskan4

EDITOR’S PAGE

by Wayne Price

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cold glass of lemonade. Ashade tree near a rushingbrook. A paper fan swished

back and forth.The advent of air conditioning

replaced these time-tested methodsof staying cool during summertimetemperature spikes. But with quickrelief from stifling heat also camehigher electric bills. Now, the U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) esti-mates that nine percent of

Americans’ household energy costsare dedicated to cooling.But you don’t have to sacrifice

comfort and convenience to save onyour bill. All it takes is smart plan-ning, a little elbow grease, and dedi-cation to beating the heat — andhigh bills.

Seal Air LeaksA home that feels cold and drafty inwinter becomes hot and stuffy insummer. Taking time to seal air-leakage points around your housewill offer cooler temperatures andlower electric bills year-round.

Add caulk and weather strippingaround doors and windows, andcheck where walls meet ceilings andfloors. Look at items that mightseem innocuous but usually leak,like recessed canister lights and out-lets. Check air barriers that areworking in conjunction with yourinsulation. Sealing up the cracksand joists in your attic will helpyour insulation do its job.

Seal DuctworkDuctwork could be the most impor-tant piece of equipment to seal. Ifit’s exposed, you can do this yourself

Keep your home cool and energy bills lower with savings tips

by Magen Howard

A

Regular maintenance for your air con-

ditioner, including checking for a clean

filter, will help it run more efficiently.

Beat the Heat

with a paintbrush and mastic, whichyou can purchase at any homeimprovement store. If not, hire aprofessional HVAC contractor.Leaky ductwork will make your

air-conditioning system work a lotharder than it should have to, whichdrives up your electric bills andwears out HVAC equipment morequickly.“Ductwork is one of the first

places you should look if you’re try-ing to lower your energy costs,”stresses Brian Sloboda, senior pro-gram manager for the CooperativeResearch Network, an arm of theArlington, Va.-based National RuralElectric Cooperative Association.“Sometimes, ducts aren’t even prop-erly joined at all. That wastes ahuge amount of energy. Sealingthem up goes a long way to improv-ing your home’s energy efficiency.”

LandscapingPlanting a tree or climbing vine notonly adds a little flavor to yourhome’s landscape; it also can cooldown your house when the sunbeats down. Trees in the right spotcan decrease your home’s energy useby up to 25 percent, according DOE.Plant deciduous trees — those

that lose their leaves every year —to the south and west of your home,and you’ll gain shade in the summerand sunshine in the winter.According to DOE, a 6-foot, 8-inchdeciduous tree will begin providingshade the first year. And it only getscooler after that, reaching your roofline in five to 10 years.If you want shade all the time or

need to block wind, choose ever-greens. But when you’re preparingto choose your greenery, keep inmind that trees should never beplanted underneath a power line.Call your rural electric utility to findout how far from lines you shouldplant, and then check outArborDay.org to learn about thetypes of trees that are best for yourhome’s landscape.

Air-Conditioning UnitsLogic would seem to dictate that alarger air-conditioning unit would

keep your rooms cooler. In fact, theopposite is true. A unit that’s toolarge for the space will operate inef-ficiently and could even cause moldproblems because of humidity.Whether you have a window unit ora central air-conditioning unit, cor-rect sizing is key.“A licensed professional should

size your central air-conditioningsystem using a mathematical code— or, better, an automatic computerprogram,” Sloboda cautions. “Unitsthat are incorrectly sized will wearout faster and will not properly coolyour home. Bigger isn’t always bet-ter.”If you’re in the market for a new

air conditioner, be sure to purchaseone with an Energy Star label,which means the product has metspecific energy efficiency standardsset by the federal government. Roomunits are about 10 percent more effi-cient than their non-Energy Starcounterparts, while central unitsare about 14 percent more efficient.Once you’ve determined whether

your air conditioner is the correctsize or have picked out a new one,start adjusting the settings to maxi-

mize efficiency. Use the “auto” func-tion instead of keeping the fan run-ning all the time. Regular mainte-nance to keep it in good workingorder is a good idea, as is checkingand changing the air filter regularly.Also, set your thermostat as high asyou can while maintaining yourcomfort level — the smaller the dif-ference between indoor air and thegreat outdoors, the lower your cool-ing costs will be. And make sure torearrange your furniture so thatappliances that put out a lot of heataren’t near the thermostat.

Programmable ThermostatsSpeaking of thermostats, a program-mable model could help you save bigbucks if it fits your lifestyle. A pro-grammable thermostat will turnyour temperature up automaticallyduring times of the day you specify.But if you purchase one, it’s impor-tant to take the next step and pro-gram it — a step many people fail totake.“A programmable thermostat is an

excellent tool to improve yourhome’s energy efficiency, but youhave to actually program it, andthen you have to leave it alone,” saysSloboda. “Fiddling with the settingswon’t help — but getting the set-tings to where you’re comfortablewhen you’re home and then forget-ting about it will really help withenergy savings.”Programmable thermostats are

best for people who regularly leavetheir homes (without pets inside) forat least eight hours at a time.

Your Electric Utility is a ResourceAs you work this summer to beatthe heat, don’t forget about yourlocal electric utility. An energy effi-ciency expert there can help youdetermine the right steps for yourhome, including whether a homeenergy audit will help find moresavings. You can also visitTogetherWeSave.com to find outhow little measures around thehouse add up to big energy savings. Sources: U.S. Department of Energy(EnergySavers.gov), Arbor DayFoundation (ArborDay.org)

June 2012 7

Strategically planted trees can help

cut down on your cooling costs in the

summer. Photograph provided by

Whirlpool Corporation

ant to add some outsidelighting pizzazz withoutinstalling wiring or impact-

ing your electric bill? As prices forsolar technology drop, many manu-facturers are harnessing the sun tohelp consumers add solar “flair” out-doors. While solar lights aren’t typi-cally as bright as traditional outdoorlight options, by keeping a few rulesof thumb in mind you can get thebrightest benefit from sun-poweredlights.

What to considerSolar lighting takes many forms:stakes, lampposts, hanging jars, andmore. But every unit follows thesame basic principle: the mechanismgenerates and stores energy duringthe day, then releases it at night.Each light includes a miniature

solar panel, typically a four-cell arraymeasuring 2-by-2 inches. On theinside of the light fixture, the solarpanel attaches to a rechargeable bat-tery, at least one light-emitting diode(LED), a controller board, and a pho-toresistor (light sensor) to managewhen the light shines and when itrecharges.The U.S. Department of Energy

(DOE) advises consumers to considergeographic and site-specific vari-ables. Solar lights will only work ifthey receive the recommendedamount of sunlight — generally 8to12 hours a day. Fewer hours of sun-light translate into fewer hours ofyard light — shorter winter days typ-ically result in a 30-50 percent outputdecline. Avoid shade from shrubs, trees, or

buildings, and check the miniaturesolar panels periodically for birddroppings, leaves, insects, or otherdebris that might block the sun. Notonly does a lack of sun impact lightoutput; receiving less sunlight thanrecommended could shorten the bat-tery life, too.

AccentsBefore buying solar lights, thinkabout the need it will fill. There arethree different types of outdoorlights: accent lights, path lights, andtask lights.


How to get the brightest benefits from solaraccent, path, and task lighting

by Megan McKoy-Noe

W

Solar FLAIR

Solar accent lighting lends a

whimsical twist to gardens, but the

light provided at night isn’t bright;

it simply adds color and solar flair

to landscaping. Photograph pro-

vided by Moonrays

Solar FLAIR

June 2012 9

Accent lights add a glow to a land-scape, but do not illuminate spaceswell. Offering a lower light output,they’re generally more affordablethan other solar lightingoptions.Search for solar light-

ing on Etsy.com, a popu-lar online handmademarketplace, and onany given day almost200 accent lightingoptions appear. Creativerecyclers use Mason jars, softdrink bottles, lamp bases, birdcages, and other liddedantiques to house the light. Thefixture’s base doesn’t matter —interchangeable lids contain thesolar array and bulb.Accent lights can be colorful —

online retailers like EarthTechProducts offer illuminated glass-blown bulbs or stylized glass flowers.Amber LEDs are often used as analternative to white, casting a softerglow but still revealing only a limitedamount of area outside of the light.Consider using accent lights to

mark hazards (stones, low walls) oras part of a garden feature, but do notrely on them for visual aid at night.

Path LightingSolar lights fill an important rolewhen used for path lighting.Commonly sold in sets of four oreight, these lights often come withstakes or hanging hooks to be placedat regular intervals along a path ordriveway.Path lights focus light downward

and typically illuminate an area up to20 feet away from the base, depend-ing on the strength of the light. Somesets offer automatic on/off settingstriggered by outside light; othersinclude a six-hour or 10-hour setting.An on/off switch may also be includ-ed, allowing owners to soak in the sunfor several days, then turn the lightson for a special nighttime event. Suspended lights are not the only

option; manufacturers likeHomeBrite Solar produce stepping-stone solar lights. Solar “stones” arealso available for outdoor lightingthat blends in with the environment.

Task Lighting The sun also fuels practical outdoorlighting needs like floodlights andsecurity motion sensors. These types

of solar lighting generally pro-vide high light output —though not as bright as tra-ditional spotlights — andare more expensive thanother solar lightingoptions.

Solar lampposts frommanufacturers like Gama

Sonic offer between eight hoursand 10 hours of light with an out-put equivalent to 450 lumens (40watts). Security lights are oftenready to mount to a wall — as withall solar lighting, be sure the build-ing or trees do not block the solararray. Some models have the solararray separate from the light to allowfor prime sun placement.

Practical MattersAlthough LEDs work well in coldtemperatures, consider bringing

accent and path lighting solar fix-tures inside during harsh weather(freezing temperatures, heavy down-pours, etc.). All outdoor solar lightingshould be water resistant, but tasklighting tends to be hardy and canwithstand fiercer weather. Andalthough it’s fun to bring bits of solarflair inside for parties, remember toput all solar-charged items back out-side to charge — leaving a solar jar ona windowsill will not work due to UVprotection films and overhangs onmany windows.Read user reviews before buying a

product online or in the store. Somesolar lighting sets may not last long,and the DOE advises consumers tomake sure replacement bulbs andbatteries are available.A variety of solar-powered lighting

options are available at stores likeTarget, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and sev-eral online retailers. Sources: U.S. Department ofEnergy, How Stuff Works.com,Gardeners.com

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he high-definition cable boxor digital video recorder(DVR) that sits innocently by

your TV may be using more electric-ity per year than a new energy-effi-cient refrigerator. A recent studyfound that the boxes use $3 billionin electricity every year in the U.S.,with 66 percent of that power wast-ed while the TV is not beingwatched or the DVR not recording.Unfortunately, until cable boxes

and DVRs become more energy effi-cient, there’s no easy solution forconsumers looking to save energy,explains Brian Sloboda, a seniorprogram manager specializing inenergy efficiency with theCooperative Research Network(CRN), an arm of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural ElectricCooperative Association. “The simple answer is using the

power button on the remote oradding a power strip to turn thepower off when not in use,” Slobodasays. “The problem is that when youcut off all of the power, your DVRwill not record programs. You alsowon’t be able to get automatic soft-ware updates, and the programguide may be wiped out.”Your best bet is to ask your cable

or satellite provider for a box carry-ing the Energy Star label, whichcertifies that a product attains spe-cific energy efficiency standards.“Don’t assume it’s an Energy Star

box,” Sloboda emphasizes. “Look forthe logo on the front of the device.”The U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, which createdEnergy Star in 1992, says it plans totighten energy efficiency standardsfor high-definition cable boxes to anaverage of 29 kilowatts of use peryear by the middle of 2013, downfrom a current average consumptionof 38 kilowatts.Sources: The New York Times,Cooperative Research Network

High-def cable boxes,

DVRs, put a drain on

household energy usehat do cell phones, tablets,laptops, handheld gamingsystems, and other mobile

devices have in common? Aside frombeing part of American’s everydaylives, they are also all dependent onbatteries. Having a dead cell phone battery is

frustrating at best and dangerous atworst — for example, if your carbreaks down and you have no way ofcalling for help. Battery technologyhas advanced to thepoint that batteriescan last severalhours or even a cou-ple of days withoutbeing recharged, aslong you don’t usethe device they’repowering too much. Products have

been introduced thatpromise to chargeyour mobile devicewithout being con-nected to a wall out-let or the power portof a car. In mostcases, these units use sunlight torecharge the battery. Solar chargers are ideal for people

on the move or who spend a lot oftime outdoors and still want to beconnected to the rest of the world.Solar chargers come in many differ-ent shapes and styles. Prices typical-ly range from $50-$200. Keep in mind that mobile chargers

do not directly recharge your phoneor computer; they charge batteriesthat are included in the charger. Thebatteries then recharge your device. Here are some things to look for

when buying a mobile charger. • Size and weight may be factors.

Most are designed to hang off of abackpack. The larger the panel, themore energy the panels will be able tocreate. But with larger panels weightwill also increase. • Some are made of rigid plastic

while others are flexible and roll out. • Check the recharge time. It will

vary from an hour to a couple ofhours. Also, check the manufacturer’sspecifications for how long the bat-tery takes to charge. It could be asmuch as 10 hours. • Ask yourself how often you will

use your mobile device and howpatient are you when it comes torecharging. If the recharge time is 10hours, it will need 10 hours out in thesun. Do you have enough time forthat, or is a smaller system better fit-

ted to what you need?At the 2012

Consumer ElectronicsShow, several solar-recharged devicesmade their debut.One receiving themost attention — anetbook by Samsung— featured a solarpanel mounted on theback of the lid. Butjust because a productboasts a solar paneldoesn’t mean that itwill create enoughelectricity for you to

permanently cut the power cord.Solar panels tend to be for supple-mental power only and don’t replacerecharging through a wall outlet. While solar chargers are the most

prevalent, there are other options.One company offers a hand-heldwind turbine that promises to giveyou four minutes of talk time for 20minutes of charging, assuming thewind blows. One guaranteed way to get power

into your mobile devices uses a hand-crank dynamo, similar to those foundon emergency radios. With a littleelbow grease and some patience, youcan generate enough electricity byhand to recharge a battery. A word of caution: Many mobile

chargers come from new or emergingfirms without a proven track record.So make sure before purchasing toread reviews from actual users or asksomeone with experience how theproduct performed.

W

A new netbook by Samsung

allows users to supplement the

computer’s battery charge with

solar power, thanks to a slim

panel mounted on the lid.

Photograph provided by

Samsung

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id you know that just makinghot water can consume up to14 percent of your home ener-

gy dollars?One way to help save on water-

heating energy is, of course, to useless hot water. Here's a way to do thatand still keep clean: Install a low-flowshowerhead. These inexpensive, easi-ly installed showerheads use abouthalf as much water as the typicalshowerhead, but give you the samewater pressure and the same greatshower. If you've tried one of the older ver-

sions of the low-flow showerhead anddidn't like it, it’s probably time to tryagain. The new models are vastlyimproved and can really help yousave money on your electric bill.A variety of showerhead styles are

available at your local hardware storeor from retailers online. Prices rangefrom less than $10 for simple, no-frillsplastic ones to more than $100 fordesigner showerheads.Source: Alliance to Save Energy

Go with the low-flow

D


by Max Van Skiver, P.E.

xtracting energy from thewind is not new. Wind hasbeen used to pump water for

centuries. Producing electricityusing wind is a more recent use.Before Rural ElectricAdministration brought central sta-tion power to rural areas, manyrural people used direct currentwind generators and batteries toprovide light and power to a limitednumber of appliances on theirfarms.The widespread use of wind tur-

bines to produce alternating currentelectricity started as a result of theenergy price shocks of the 1970’s.Many turbines were installed inCalifornia and other states withhigh electric costs during the early1980’s. A few were installed inNebraska.Within a few years, most of the

small wind turbines installed dur-ing the early 1980’s were no longerproducing electricity. Apparently,bearing and blade failures were acommon problem.Thanks, no doubt, to better mate-

rials and a better understanding ofthe physics, over the past 30 years,improvements have been made inhome-scale wind turbine technology. There has been renewed consumer

interest in home-scale wind tur-bines over the past few years. Thisinterest increased after the State ofNebraska adopted net metering forrenewable energy sources rated 25kilowatts (kW) and below for homeuse. Under the concept of net meter-

ing, consumers using an electric

generator driven by a renewableenergy resource are billed monthlyfor the difference between the ener-gy delivered by the utility to the con-sumer, and the energy delivered bythe consumer’s renewable generatorto the utility (the net amount ofenergy delivered by the utility overthe course of the month). Net metering requires other con-

sumers to subsidize consumers whoinstall generators powered byrenewable energy resources. This isbecause net metering allows con-sumers a kilowatt-hour (kWh) offsetat retail rates for energy producedby renewable resources, eventhough the actual value of energyproduced by the renewable resourcemight be much less. The Nebraska Legislature adopt-

ed rules to limit the negative finan-cial impact of net metering on con-

sumers who do install renewablegenerators. Utilities are allowed tocollect customer charges and mini-mum charges from individuals tak-ing net metering, pay no more thanavoided cost for energy produced inexcess of actual use, and limit theamount of renewable generationsubject to net metering to one per-cent of the electrical system’s aver-age monthly peak demand.The most common question from

consumers requesting informationregarding wind turbines is; “Howmuch money can I expect to save if Iinstall a wind turbine?” Four or fiveyears ago, the answer to that ques-tion was difficult to calculate. In aneffort to help consumers, many ruralelectric systems developed physicaland economic models for wind tur-bines. There was still no way to besure if the models produced resultsthat reflected reality.

Real World ExperiencesLack of data is no longer a problem.The information reported in thisarticle is based on the average pro-duction statistics of 10 wind tur-

5%

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20.2% 19.7%22.0%

Monthly Average Capacity Factor

Capacity factor is the ratio of actual electricity generated as compared to the maximum possible electricity that could have been generated if a turbine operated at its maximum output for a set period.

Capacity factor is the ratio of actual electricity generated as compared to the maximum possible electricity that could have been generated if a turbine operated at its maximum output for a set period.

Monthly Average Capacity Factor

S 23.5%S 15.8%S 23.7%

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Home-Scale Wind Turbines

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June 2012 13

bines operating in the western halfof Nebraska that came into serviceover a span of 42 months. The infor-mation is presented on a kWh perkW of capacity basis. Converting monthly production

data for the wind turbines from“kWhs” to “kWhs per kW of capaci-ty” allows the direct comparison ofturbines of different sizes.A chart showing average produc-

tion of electricity per month for allthe turbines in service over the 42-month study period appears above.As can be seen, the 10 wind tur-

bines produced an average of 1,678kWh annually per kW of capacity.About 25 percent of the energy wasproduced during the four summermonths of June, July, August andSeptember, while 75 percent wasproduced during the other eightmonths. Power produced during thesummer is generally of more valuethan power produced during othermonths.Average monthly and annual

capacity factors are calculated aswell. Capacity factor is defined asthe percentage of electricity actually

generated, as compared to theamount that would have been pro-duced if the wind had blown hardenough for the turbine to producepower at full capacity throughout aspecified period of time.To achieve a monthly capacity fac-

tor of 100 percent, most small windturbines would have to experiencecontinuous winds between 25 and30 mph for the month.The net-metered value of the elec-

tricity displaced annually by a windturbine is largely dependent on costof the electricity displaced. If thedisplaced electricity were worthnine cents per kilowatt-hour, a kilo-watt of turbine capacity from thestudy would have expected to pro-duce electricity worth about $151 onan annual basis.Someone expecting to recover

their investment over 10 years couldnot have a net investment of morethan about $1,510 per kW of turbinecapacity. Yes, electric rates will prob-ably increase, but the wind turbinemay require maintenance, mayincrease your taxes and you maywant to insure it.

For the two most common sizes ofturbine, 2.4 kW and 10 kW, the max-imum net investment for a 10-yearreturn of the investment works outto about $3,600 and $15,100 respec-tively. A longer investment termshould allow a higher investment ifthere are no significant mainte-nance/replacement issues.Once again, the numbers present-

ed reflect the average “real-world”operating experience for 10 smallwind turbines in Nebraska.Individual turbine performance willdiffer depending on a number of fac-tors. The 10 turbines for which datais available are all located in partsof Nebraska west of US highway281.

Lessons LearnedTurbine location and height relativeto obstacles are important. The bestperforming turbine for 2011 (capaci-ty factor of 24.1 percent) was only afew miles from the poorest perform-ing turbine for 2011 (capacity factorof 9.6 percent). The best performingturbine produced 150 percent moreenergy than did the poorest per-former. The poorest performer wasin a valley; the best on a ridge abovethe same valley. Larger size does not guarantee

better performance. The best per-forming (highest capacity factor)turbines for both 2010 and 2011were 2.4 kW machines; a differentone each year, but both were in thepanhandle. A well-sited 10 kWmachine in southern Nebraskacame in second both years.

Power production does vary fromyear to year. The chart above showsthe capacity factor of turbines atthree different sites for both 2010and 2011. Two sites had improved

April

May

June July

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Novem

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24.0%23.5%

18.0%

12.6% 12.7%14.8%

21.2% 21.0% 20.3%

y Average Capacity Factor

ricity generated as compared to the maximum possible e a turbine operated at its maximum output for a set period.

C ricity generated as compared to the maximum possible e a turbine operated at its maximum output for a set period.

M y Average Capacity Factor

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Site 1 22.2% 23.5%Site 2 16.3% 15.8%Site 3 22.0% 23.7%

Capacity Factors2010 2011

2010 2011

Capacity Factors

22.0% 23.7%e 3 Sit16.3% 15.8%e 2 Sit22.2% 23.5%e 1 Sit

2010 2011

Capacity Factors

22.0% 23.7%16.3% 15.8%22.2% 23.5%

Please turn to page 15


ook at a piece of copper, andyou can see why it’s been pop-ular with artists for 10,000

years. Its reddish-orange lusterenhances jewelry and other decora-tive art. Ancient weapon makersalso found it useful — axes with cop-per heads date back at least 5,000years. More recently, engineers dis-covered that copper was an excel-lent conductor of electrical current. In the past few years, copper’s

popularity has seen an uptickamong another group: criminals.Whether it’s the tough economy ormethamphetamine users needingmoney to pay for their next fix, therelatively high price of the metalhas led to a wave of copper theft.The Electric Safety FoundationInternational (ESFI) estimates thatthere are more than 50,000 copperthefts from electrical utilities eachyear.

Substation GroundingCopper is swiped from many places,including construction sites, ware-houses, and abandoned homes. Insome areas, crooks drag away entireair-conditioning units so that theycan remove the copper tubing attheir leisure. But copper theft from utility poles

and substations carries a particularconcern. Copper energizes current-carrying conductors (wires) as wellas playing a key role in grounding.Substations — which contain

expensive equipment for controllingthe flow of electricity from high-volt-age transmission lines to your home— must be grounded to the earth toprevent damage from lightningstrikes and fault currents. Whenyour rural electric utility groundsequipment in a substation, it makesan electrical connection to a buriednetwork of wires, called a groundgrid, that dissipates the excesscharge safely over a wide area.

But burying wires causes them tocorrode. “[Buried] aluminum under-goes galvanic corrosion and can turnto dust in two years,” explainsEmory Barber, director of cable &systems engineering at SouthwireCompany, one of the nation’s largestmanufacturer of transmission lines.“Given the same conditions, coppercan last 60 years or more.”

Despite the extreme danger thatcomes with entering a substation,the copper wire inside makes for anattractive target — all a thief has todo is make a couple of cuts and getout. For the relatively small value ofthe stolen copper, crooks leave amess that can be very expensive toclean up. ESFI estimates the value of cop-

per stolen from utilities each year —whether grounding wire substa-tions, grounding wires off poles, oreven power lines themselves — to beabout $20 million. But the financialimpact can run three times thatamount. And when copper banditsstrike, not-for-profit rural electricsystems have no choice but to passthe replacement costs on to theirmembers. A substation or pole that’s left

ungrounded becomes a dangerousplace. Sometimes the thieves touchor cut the wrong conductors, expos-ing themselves to lethally high volt-

ages. Errant currents can damageelectrical equipment, taking thesubstation or line “down” and inter-rupting power to consumers. Theelectricity can even endanger utilityemployees, causing injury or death.ESFI estimates about 35 Americansdie each year because of copper orother metal theft.

Foiling ThievesSouthwire has addressed coppertheft with a cable it calls ProofPositive. This product comes etchedwith a unique identifying code, seri-al number, and a website addressthat scrap dealers can visit to see ifthe copper has been heisted. “TheProof Positive system enables recy-clers to identify the material asstolen and alert law enforcement,often resulting in an arrest and con-viction,” says Charles Holcombe,senior product development engi-neer with Southwire.To prevent theft before it happens,

rural electric utilities haveembarked on multi-pronged initia-tives. Many have launched intensivepublic relations campaigns aboutthe issue; others have partneredwith local Crime Solvers chaptersand posted rewards. Some systemsare replacing much of the purloinedwire with copper-clad steel. Copper-clad steel, which has been aroundsince 1915, boasts the electricity-carrying properties of copper butcontains very little scrap value.Although bendable, it can’t be cutand removed with normal tools —even hydraulic bolt cutters.Also, keep in mind that no one

should be in an electric utility sub-station except trained employees.Report any suspicious activity tolocal law enforcement and yourrural electric utility. Your diligencecan help stop criminals and mayeven save a life. Maurice Martin is a senior pro-

gram manager for the CooperativeResearch Network, a service of theArlington, Va.-based National RuralElectric Cooperative Association.

L

Copper theft remains a concern for utilities

by Maurice Martin

Not only does copper have a distinc-

tive beauty that makes it popular for

jewelry and decoration, but it also is

an excellent conductor of electricity

and a valuable scrap metal.

capacity factors for 2011 while onesaw a decline.Small wind turbines are not cost

competitive (without significantincentives). The 10 turbines pro-duced an average of 1,678 kWh perkW of capacity annually. The verybest performer produced an averageof 2,000 kWh per kW of capacityannually. The installed cost of newsmall wind turbines will usuallyrange from $5,000 to $6,000 per kWof capacity. At an installed cost of $5,000 per

kW, the average turbine from thestudy could produce electric power ata cost as low as $0.30 per kWh dur-ing the first 10 years. If annual elec-tricity production averages 2,000kWh per kW (equal to the best per-forming turbine in the study), theannual cost of the electricity pro-duced could be as low as $0.25 perkWh during the first 10 years.Operating longer than 10 years couldreduce the average cost per kWh pro-duced significantly provided mainte-nance and ownership costs are lowenough. Tax incentives equal to 30 percent

of the cost would reduce the cost ofpower produced to 21 and 18 centsper kWh in the above scenarios. Onthe other hand, spending $6,000 perkW to install a turbine as comparedto the $5,000 value used in the aboveexample would raise the cost of thepower produced by 20 percent. There are reasons, other than eco-

nomics, to install a wind turbine. Alltechnologies have a learning curve.Home-scale wind turbines have beenmanufactured for over 30 years.Improvements have been made andwill, no doubt, continue to be made ifindividuals are willing to install andoperate turbines in varying “real-world” situations. Nebraska’s electricsystems stand ready to assist con-sumers interested in advancing thetechnology.Max Van Skiver is the General

Manager of South Central PPD inNelson, Neb.

June 2012 15

Home-Scale Wind TurbinesFrom page 13

Will solar power work on my site?

olar systems harness the powerof sunlight to create electricity.They have become increasingly

popular in recent years as the price ofelectricity has increased. Thoughcosts have come down, photovoltaicsystems are still quite expensive, andthe energy they produce costs severaltimes that of utility-supplied energy.Solar systems are most commonly

installed on the roofs of homes,garages, carports, and other struc-tures. But they can also be installedvertically against a wall of a home, aspart of an awning, or near the groundas a free-standing structure.Some sites perform better than oth-

ers for producing photovoltaic power.The size and orientation of yourhome, the presence of shade, and pos-sible zoning restrictions all affect thelocation of a solar system. A solar sys-tem will produce the most powerwhen it is exposed to sunshine for as

long as possible each day. Any shad-ing, from trees or an adjoining build-ing, will reduce the system’s output.But a little shade is acceptable, espe-cially if it crosses the photovoltaicpanels early or late in the day.Shading issues are usually the worstin the winter when the sun’s altitudeis lowest and shadows are the longest.For many building owners, the roof

is the preferred site for a solar arraybecause it is out of the way, close tothe existing electrical system, andabove many objects that cast shade.Most rooftop systems are mounted onracks that stand above the roof. Theseracks can hold solar panels at eitherthe same slope as the roof surface, orat a steeper angle that optimizes theexposure to incoming solar energy.Rooftop systems can also utilize solar“shingles,” thin-film modules thattake the place of standard roofingshingles.

S


SAFETY BRIEFS

oungsters are eager to saygoodbye to school for the sum-mer, suit up and jump in the

backyard pool, play in the sprinkleror spray their playmates with waterfrom a garden hose. Whether it’s funaround home, at a nearby park, orother gathering place, be alert forpotential electrical hazards, makerepairs or upgrades where necessaryand make sure everyone knows howto play safely. “The loss of a family member is

devastating, and all family membersshould be on the lookout for potentialdanger,” says Molly Hall, programexecutive director. “Remember thestory of 12-year-old CaitlynMackenzie, who had enjoyed a day ofswimming and was electrocuted asshe attempted to move an electriclamp. Her tragic accident under-scores the importance of ground faultcircuit interrupter (GFCI) protectionon outdoor outlets, as well as avoidingcontact with electrical applianceswhen you are damp or wet.“ If you have water sprites around

your home this summer, protect themwith either permanent GFCIs, orextension cords with a GFCI toensure their safety.

For safe outdoor play, SafeElectricity recommends that childrenand adults follow these rules:• Water and electricity never mix!

Keep electronics like radios awayfrom pools and hot tubs, and watchfor overhead power lines when clean-ing pools, sailing or fishing. Neverinstall pools underneath or nearpower lines. Never touch an electricalappliance if you are wet; always dryoff completely.• Stay away from electrical equip-

ment on the ground and overhead.Never climb a utility pole or tower.Don’t play on or around pad-mountedelectrical equipment. Electricalpower poles and utility equipmentshould never be used as a play-ground.• Never climb trees near power

lines. Even if the power lines aren’ttouching the tree, they could touchwhen more weight is added to thebranch.• Fly kites and model airplanes

safely away from trees and overheadpower lines. If a kite gets tangled in atree that’s near power lines, don’tclimb up to get it. Contact your elec-tric utility for assistance.• Never go into an electric substa-

tion. Electric substations containhigh-voltage equipment, which cankill you. Don’t retrieve a toy or rescuea pet that goes inside. Call your elec-tric utility instead.• Look up and around you. Always

be aware of the location of powerlines, particularly when using longmetal tools like ladders and poolskimmers. “Use caution when plugging in elec-

trical appliances outdoors,” says Hall.“Such handy items as radios or bugzappers can generate an electricshock. Exterior outlets should haveweather proof covers as well asGFCIs to prevent serious injuries.Electrical items should be kept atleast 10 feet away from water or wetsurfaces, like wet or dew-coveredgrass.”Summertime brings storms that

can sometimes create danger fromboth lightning and fallen power lines,Hall says. “It’s a good idea to keeputility emergency numbers close athand and know what to do after astorm.” If you see a downed power line stay

far away from it and anything touch-ing it. Call your electric utility. Source: SafeElectricity.org

YMake sure you are ready to enjoy summer safely

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: Even though I think my houseis adequately insulated, my air

conditioner runs a lot. On sunnydays, the bedroom ceiling seems hot,so I assume heat is coming from thehot roof. How can I reduce this heatflow?

: Adequate attic insulation isonly one aspect of keeping your

house cool and reducing your air-conditioning costs. By “insulation,”most folks mean thermal insulationthat blocks heat conduction. Thisincludes fiberglass, rock wool, foam,and/or cellulose insulation on theattic floor and in the walls.There are three modes of heat

transfer — conduction, convection,and radiation. Conduction refers toheat flow typically through solidmaterials. This is how the handle ofa metal skillet gets hot on the stove.Convection is similar to conduction,but occurs in fluids and gases. Thisis why you feel colder in the windthan in still air.

Regular thermal insulation inyour home’s walls and ceiling, whichyou refer to, blocks conduction andconvection heat losses. Most recom-mended insulation charts, whichmention R-values, refer to thermalinsulation.The third mode of heat flow, radi-

ation, is how the sun heats theEarth or you feel warm in front of anopen fireplace. Unfortunately, stan-dard thermal insulation is not veryeffective for blocking this type ofheat flow. On a hot summer after-noon, a roof, especially a darkasphalt shingle one, gets extremelyhot. This heat then radiates down-ward through the attic floor insula-tion and into your house.You can tell if the ceiling is hotter

than the walls just by putting theback of your hand against it in theafternoon. If it really feels muchwarmer, this may be a major reasonfor high electric bills. Even with your air conditioner

running and air in the room reason-ably cool, you may still feeluncomfortable under a warmceiling. This heat often causesyou to set the air conditionerthermostat even lower,which further increasesyour electric bills.

If your house will need a new roofsoon, replace it with light-colored —preferably white — shingles to reducethe roof temperature. Metal roofs,particularly aluminum ones withheat-reflective (not visibly reflective)paint, stay even cooler and minimizeheat transfer down to the ceilingbelow. Other than replacing the roof,

adding more insulation and adequateattic ventilation can help significant-ly. When I installed more attic ventsin my own home, I could immediatelyfeel the difference in my second-floorbedroom temperature. Putting in extra insulation will also

cool ceilings that meet attic spacebecause it blocks heat transfer. Atticvents, continuous ridge or inlet soffit,work best. This allows cool air tomove low over the insulation, becomeless dense as it warms up, and thenflow out the ridge vent. Your attic and roof will still be hot,

but extra insulation and ventilationwill help cool the living space under-neath your attic.

CUT YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Block heat flow for cooler rooms

by James Dulley

Q

A

Send inquiries to James Dulley, RuralElectric Nebraskan, 6906 RoyalgreenDr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visitwww.dulley.com.

This schematic shows the hot air flow

from an attic through a rigid-type rigid

vent. Notice it is covered with shin-

gles for a nice appearance.

Photograph provided by Cor-A-Vent

Roll-out continuous attic

ridge vent has many

passages for the air to

flow out of the hottest

part of the attic.

Photograph provided by

Lomanco

June 2012 19

nyone from Nebraska can tellyou that our summers can behot. If they are from the east-

ern half of the state, they can alsotell you that humidity makes thosesummer days feel even hotter.In addition to being uncomfort-

able, high humidity levels canadversely affect your health. Excessmoisture can contribute to anunhealthy environment in yourhome, even in the winter. Dustmites, molds, bacteria and otherorganisms that can cause respirato-ry problems thrive in moisture-rid-den, high humidity areas. Somesigns that excess moisture is pres-ent include condensation on win-dows during colder months, peelingwallpaper and damp patches onwalls and ceilings.Using a dehumidifier decreases

the humidity in your home andhelps decrease the occurrence ofmoisture-loving predators -- makingyour home healthier and more com-fortable. Running a dehumidifiercomes with a cost, however. Themonthly expense will often run from$15 to $35 in summer, but it canexceed $50 per month if the dehu-midifier runs a lot. Here are someideas of how you can managehumidity problems and save moneyat the same time.� • Set the humidistat so the dehu-midifier does not run continuously.For basements, 50 percent relativehumidity is recommended in sum-mer.� • Help reduce peak electric use.Put your dehumidifier on the nightshift! Put a timer on your dehumid-ifier to turn it on at 9 p.m. and off at10 a.m.� • Close all windows and doors tothe area. This will dramaticallyreduce the humidity coming fromoutside air.� • Locate the dehumidifier in thearea with the highest humidity butdon’t create a safety hazard by plac-ing it in water. Dehumidifiers arenot the solution to standing water(or running water) in basements.

� • Position the dehumidifier awayfrom the wall or furniture so air cancirculate through the unit. �• Hook up a hose to drain the

dehumidifier if emptying the tank isa chore. �• Frost can form on the coils and

reduce dehumidification when theroom temperature drops below 65 �F.Frost can also form when the dewpoint is low. If frost forms, turn offthe machine until the frost melts. �

• Keep the dehumidifier clean.Wipe or vacuum dust and dirt fromthe coils and fan. �• If you have a choice of fan

speeds, higher speeds are more effi-cient while lower speeds are quieter.During winter, relative humiditybetween 25 percent and 40 percentis recommended. In colder weather,humidity toward the lower end ofthis range is better for reducing con-densation and mold growth. Coldoutdoor temperatures often requireindoor humidity lower than 40 per-cent to prevent condensation onwindows. Finally, when you areshopping for a dehumidifier, pur-chase one of the Energy Star quali-fied models that have more efficientrefrigeration coils, compressors, andfans than conventional models. AnEnergy Star qualified modelremoves the same amount of mois-ture as a similarly-sized convention-al unit, but uses 15 percent lessenergy.For other ideas on how you can

become more EnergyWise, visit withyour local electric utility or visitwww.nppd.com/save-energy.

AUse a dehumidifier wisely to save energy dollars

For a FREE color brochure send the ad couponor call toll free 800-658-7076 or fax 507-462-3211.

www.nordaashomes.comP.O. Box 116, Minnesota Lake, MN 56068-0116

REC


DOWN HOMERECIPES

4 boneless top loin pork chops,cut into 1-inch cubes4 tablespoons taco or fajita sea-

soning1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and

cut into 1-inch pieces1/2 large onion peeled & cut into

1-inch pieces

In a plastic bag or shallow bowl,toss together pork cubes withdesired seasoning until pork isevenly coated. Thread pork cubes,alternating with pepper and onionpieces, onto skewers. Grill over amedium-hot fire, turning occasion-ally, until pork is nicely browned.If using wooden skewers, soak in

water for 20 minutes before using.

Southwestern Kabobs

Recipe provided by theNational Pork Board

Almond Chicken

Cucumber Dip

Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies

Deanne Cooper, Oshkosh, Nebraska

In large skillet, quickly cook chicken in hot oil. Add bamboo shoots, cel-ery, water, chestnuts, broth and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Cover and cookover low heat 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Blend cornstarch in waterand add to chicken mixture. Cook until thickens and bubbles. Salt to taste.Garnish with almonds. Serves 6.

Elizabeth Poss, Scotia, Nebraska

Mix all together and serve with vegetables, chips or crackers. Alsomakes a nice dressing for a cold roast beef sandwich.

Jolene Block, Cozad, Nebraska

Blend flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together into a large bowl.Set aside. Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer bowl. Beat in eggand mix thoroughly. Stir in oats, bananas, and nuts/chips. Add flour mix-ture and stir. Drop dough by spoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet, about1 1/2 inches apart. Bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.Makes 24-32 cookies.

2 whole raw chicken breasts, cutinto strips1/4 cup oil2 (5 oz) cans bamboo shoots,

diced and drained2 cups diced celery2 (5 oz) cans water chestnuts,

drained and sliced3 cups chicken broth2 tablespoons soy sauce1/3 cup cornstarch mixed in 1/2

cup cold water1/2 cup toasted almonds, sliced,

halved or slivered

1 cup plain yogurt1/2 cup sour cream1/2 teaspoon white pepper1 small cucumber peeled, seeded

and diced1 tablespoon dill weed

1 tablespoon grated onion1/4-1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste1 tablespoon white vinegar or

dill pickle juice1 tablespoon olive oil

1 1/2 cup flour1/2 teaspoon baking soda3/4 teaspoon cinnamon1/2 teaspoon salt3/4 cup butter1 cup sugar

1 egg1 3/4 cup old-fashioned oatmeal1 cup mashed banana (2-3

bananas)1/2 cup chopped nuts or choco-

late chips (optional)

June 2012 21

To appear in print

The Rural Electric NebraskanAdult Pen Pal Service is exclusivelyfor member-readers ages 18 and over.To be considered for use, submissionsmust: (1) Identify rural electric sys-tem providing magazine; (2) Include$6 to cover mail forwarding costs; (3)Be 25 words or fewer; (4) Include fullname and mailing address (will notbe used in magazine); and (5) Be firstperson, submitted directly by personto receive responses. Acceptance,editing and issue scheduling is at edi-tor’s discretion.Address all submissions to Rural

Electric Nebraskan Adult Pen PalService, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE68501. All responses received by theAdult Pen Pal Service are routeddirectly, postage paid, to the responsenumber assigned to each submission.

To write

To respond to one of the adult penpal requests, write letter, place inenvelope, seal and affix first classpostage. Address to full, correctresponse #, c/o Rural ElectricNebraskan Adult Pen Pal Service,P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.Your letter will be forwardedunopened. Do not send money oradditional postage; forwarding is pre-paid. Enclose your full mailingaddress for return correspondence.Once again . . . it is very important

that all responses carry the fullresponse number—both month andnumber—to be properly forwarded.

Abbreviation CodeC — Christian; C/W — Country-western;D — Divorced; F — Female; M — Male; NS — Non-Smoker; ND — Non-Drinker;R&R — Rock and roll; S — Single;

W — White; Wid — Widowed

Stoneham 2,132 sq ft

Cottonwood 2,766 sq ftPinebrook 1,568 sq ft

Atlanta 1,568 sq ft

SAVE THOUSANDSAsk your authorized local Wardcraft builder for details on our Spring promotion.He got a new tractor, it’s time for YOU to enjoy all the perks of a new energy efficient home, new kitchen, modern bath-room, energy efficient appliances with all the standards he’ll love like 2x6 construction, blown insulation with R-23 walls and much more. Happy wife, happy life! Our catalog includes 42 pages of options, 70 cabinets, 68 doors, 73 floorplans, photo gallery and our ultra efficient option!

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Look for Adult Pen Pals next month

ue to a low number of sub-missions sent in by readersfor use in the June issue of

the Rural Electric Nebraskan, noAdult Pen Pals submissions will beprinted this month. Submissions sent for use in the

June issue will appear in theJuly2011 issue of the magazineinstead.It is the policy of the Rural

Electric Nebraskan to run AdultPen Pal submissions only when atleast six letters have been receivedby the Nebraska Rural ElectricAssociation office in a givenmonth.The Rural Electric Nebraskan

Adult Pen Pal Service is exclusive-ly for member-readers ages 18 andover. Adult Pen Pal submissions can be sent to Rural Electric NebraskanAdult Pen Pal Service, P.O. Box 82048, Lincoln, NE 68501.

D


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