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Interview with Andy Kruse, Co-founder of Southwest Windpower
Beyondfossilfuel.com
January 31, 2007
http://www.beyondfossilfuel.com/windpower/kruse.html
Andrew Kruse is co-founder and Executive Vice President of Southwest Windpower a leading manufacturer of small-scale wind turbines and maker of the new Skystream 3.7 wind generator for backyard residential use. www.skystreamenergy.com. His company’s products are used to supply energy for lighting, water pumping, telecommunication systems and grid connected homes.
Andy has been in the renewable energy industry since 1986 and has installed numerous solar and wind systems around the world. He has traveled to some 70 countries promoting small wind systems. His background is in Management and International Marketing. Currently he oversees the company’s sales and marketing departments and is responsible for developing long term market strategies.
Andy has also written and had published numerous articles on renewable energy relating to system design and market opportunities and won a number of awards relating to export development. Furthermore, he sits on numerous advisory boards for renewable energy.
1: Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started in the wind power industry.
I began in the business through looking for a solution to bring electricity to a rural part of a cattle ranch I was living on. The ranch was powered by a big diesel generator that was expensive to operate and required a great deal of maintenance. I knew there had to be a better way. I met my business partner David Calley who was building small wind generators out of automotive alternators. It was 1986, just after then President Reagan had just taken the solar panels off the roof of the White House, laid off most of the people at SERI – Solar Energy Research Institute and allowed investment incentives for renewables to expire. In spite of all that, I thought building a business around David’s small invention would be a terrific opportunity.
2: Can you tell us a little bit about your company and how it got started?
We began the company in a small workshop about 40 miles north-east of Flagstaff. This shop was off the electrical grid. This meant we produced electricity for the shop and a house from the wind generators we built and a few solar panels. We had a small bit of money from David’s father and credit cards. We had no real plan, just a dream. We made it work by keeping the overhead low and selling enough wind generators to pay the bills.
3: What are the height requirements when installing a wind turbine?
This depends. Ideally you want to site the wind generator about 20 feet above any surrounding object within a 500 foot radius. There are exceptions to the rule such as coastlines. If you have a trade wind blowing from one direction all the time, the height can be shorter. We generally do not recommend towers below 35 feet.
4:What are your thoughts on the controversy of placing wind farms off the coast?
I feel it is just politics. Here we are in a world where one of the major causes of global instability is energy (oil) and we are debating an issue because of a view shed? Certainly we all need to be considerate of others when it comes to any kind of development. However, politics should stay out of it. If the project can stand on its own and contribute to the good of people with out destruction of the environment, then it certainly should go ahead.
5: How much wind speed does it take for the average wind turbine to function properly?
It depends on the size of the machine. For small wind generators such as Skystream, a 12 mph average wind is adequate. For large machines, that number is more like 14 mph.
6: Can you tell us more about how the Skystream 3.7 can handle residential and small business power needs?
We designed Skystream to work much like an appliance. It had to be simple and easy to use. It had to work in light winds and nearly silent in operation. The size of the machine was based around what the average home in California uses on a monthly basis. Skystream produces approximately 400 kWh per month in a 12 mph wind. The average California home consumes about 540 kWh per month.
7: Will the Skystream 3.7 work for the homeowner in a urban areas with very limited space?
It depends. Location is very important. We designed Skystream to use mono-pole towers such as street light poles. The foundation is about 30” in diameter. What is more important is the siting rule. That is locating Skystream 20 feet above surrounding objects. We generally compare our market with the lawn tractor. You need about ½ acre or more to be practical. We estimate that there are about 13 million homes in America that could use a Skystream.
8: Are there any wind turbines being used on high rise building if not what is the potential?
Not at this time but we have had people propose it. As long as the engineering is done, it is entirely possible. The only issue is the relative amount of power Skystream produces is too small for a large building.
9: What is the average return on investment when purchasing a wind turbine?
This depends on three factors – Installed cost; wind speed average at the site and cost of electricity from the utility. The payback period ranges from about four years to over twenty. On average it is about 12 years before any rebates. We know in time this will continue to improve but in the mean time, we are actively working with Congress to create investment tax incentives for residential scale wind to reduce the cost up front.
10: It is my understanding wind power capacity has grown 35% in the last five years what do you project for the next five years?
If congress extends the PTC (Production Tax Credit) for wind which levels the playing field with fossil fuel technologies, we expect a very robust future. As for residential wind, we expect the growth to be even higher. Energy security, the cost of electricity and the concerns for our environment are high on most peoples priorities. They are looking for ways to contribute. Skystream offers a cost effective way to do just that.
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