Manual Wind Speed Logging

With the Vortex Pole Mount Anemometer, you can reset the display and let it run. You can check/reset the current, max, and average wind speeds at your own intervals. (See note about average wind speed using this method).
This anemometer can be left outdoors but requires a weather-proof enclosure for the display.

PC Data Logging - Wind Speed Only ["WINDWARE"]

If power is available and using a PC is acceptable (such as home-based data logging), there are a couple of PC-based data logging solutions from Inspeed: the Windware PC Logging Kit, and the Weatherdisplay system, which also allows internet access.

PC or MAC Data Logging - Wind Speed & Direction ["WINDWORKS"]

If power is available and a computer can be left on for continuous data logging, this system allows you to collect both wind speed and direction from either a PC or MAC.

Field Data Logging

For those cases when AC power is not available, a battery- or photovoltaic cell-powered solution is required.
There are many ways to do this - ranging from battery-powered data loggers to remote controlled cell-phone based wind monitoring systems. Inspeed offers the Field Logging Kit for this.

If this does not meet your needs, hold on to your wallte and try http://www.nrgsystems.com/ or http://www.onsetcomp.com.

Internet Logging
For those instances where the internet may be available at a remote site, Inspeed offers a the PC-based Weatherdisplay system.

Other more [a lot more!] expensive solutions can be found at http://www.nrgsystems.com (NRG Systems) or at http://www.onsetcomp.com (Onset Computer).

WIND POWER
Here are some factoids about wind power and how it can be used to generate electricity.

Wind-based potential energy typically comes from volumes of air moving across turbine blades which are attached to a magnet and coil, or generator. Moving the magnet/coil system creates electrical power, like an electric motor "in reverse".
If you apply electrical power to a motor it consumes power to provide rotational drive. conversely, if you drive a motor with wind it gives back electrical energy which can be used to power electrical devices.

The amount of power generated by a wind turbine is measured in Watts (W), or kiloWatts (kW). A kiloWatt is 1,000 Watts (from the Greek word kilo, which means 1,000). To put things into perspective, think of light bulbs: it would take a one kiloWatt generator to power ten 100W light bulbs.

Bigger turbines provide significantly greater power: doubling the diameter of a turbine produces eight times the potential energy.

WIND TURBINES, WIND ENERGY, & Green/Renewable Energy Resources

PACWIND, California, USA
Manufacturer of sleek, vertical axis wind turbines for home and industrial use.

www.pacwind.net

TLG Wind Power Products, USA
Manufacturing some of the quietest, most powerful wind generators and blades in the industry.

www.tlgwindpower.com

Dommel Valley Green Power, Canada
www.dommelvalley.ca

Krystal Planet, Florida USA
www.krystal-planet.com

Renewable Energy Solutions, LLC, Pennsylvania USA
email: info@renewenergysolutions.com

Alternative Energy Solutions, UK
www.alternativeenergystore.co.uk

Better Generation, UK
www.bettergeneration.co.uk

Kidwind, Minnesota, USA
A team of teachers, students, eingineers and practitioners exploring the science behind wind energy in classrooms around the US.

www.kidwind.org

AeroSolar, Romania
http://aerosolar.ro/

New England Breeze, Massachusetts, USA
Installer of small wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels, and solar water heaters

www.newenglandbreeze.com