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Wind Turbines (Electricity)
Wind Turbines use the wind's energy to provide electricity instead of burning fossil fuels. Here we look at wind turbines, the equipment used in a wind turbine system, how wind turbines work and assess the benefits of wind turbines.
Wind turbines can be one of the most effective methods of generating electricity when sited in a good location. A correctly positioned wind turbine can produce excellent results, reducing the dependance on the National Grid and replacing carbon emissions that would otherwise have been generated from using conventional energy sources.
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Wind turbines generate electricity and can supply buildings in parallel with grid electricity and operate as stand alone systems. Wind turbines are not well suited to medium-high density urban areas but in a windy rural location they offer excellent performance. |
Components of a Wind Power System
- The Turbine: This Converts energy captured from the wind into Direct Current (DC) Electricity.
- Turbine Tower: - This is where the turbine is mounted. Standard towers are 9, 12, 13, 15 and 18m metres high.
- Inverter: The inverter is basically a power adapter, that converts DC power into AC power, to be used either to integrate with conventional wiring systems and or sold to the grid (exported).
- Cable Trench: In most cases the turbine will be located away from buildings, a cable trench is dug to lay cables connecting the turbine to the electrical system.
- Meters: Metres are used to track what is both being bought from and sold to the grid. To claim sale of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) you will also need a ROC meter.
Locating Wind Turbines
The amount of wind and the speed in which the wind hits the turbine is essential for a successful installation. Good locations for wind turbines could include:
- Exposed locations where you can feed off a regular wind speed.
- High locations free of obstructions such as buildings and trees
The Department for Business and Regulatory Reform (BERR) have a windspeed database where if you have the Ordnance Survey Grid Reference of the location you can calculate the windspeed.
Benefits of a Wind Power System:
- Green electricity for use locally
- You can sell your excess electricity to the national grid
- If you use battery storage you can have a useful back up if your grid connection is unreliable
- A wide range of wind turbines to suit power requirements from 400w upwards
- Very low maintenance.
- Eligible for Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs)
How Long does installation take?
This depends on the system you require installing and the amount of cabling and roofing work required. Generally between 1-5 days from arrival to commissioning your system.
Will I require planning permission for a Wind Turbine?
Yes, typical reasons for rejection are:
- The physical appearance of the turbine,
- The vibrations or the noise associated with it's operation.
- It's location and it's fixing or mounting-type.
How long will my system last?
The average lifetime of a wind turbine is in excess of 20 years. Different manufacturers have different warranty periods.
What about Wind Turbine maintenance?
All Wind Turbine systems require servicing and an inspection annually.
Is my site windy enough for a Wind Turbine?
If the wind speed at a site is recorded over a year, it will be seen to vary about a mean wind speed value. This is the annual mean wind speed (AMWS) and is an indication of how much wind energy is available. In the UK, AMWS could be as low as 4 m/s (9.0 mph) for an inland site to around 8 m/s (13 mph) or higher on the most exposed sites.
In general, you need an AMWS of at least 4 m/s to be able to generate a reasonable amount of energy, ideally more than 4.5 m/s.
How high should the wind turbine tower be?
Standard towers are 9, 12, 13, 15 and 18m metres high. In general, the higher the tower, the higher the average wind speed that the turbine will experience, but it may not always be the case. A site survey will be needed.
How much space do I need for a wind turbine?
Ideally, the turbine should be sited as far away as possible from buildings or trees, which may block the wind and cause turbulence. As a guide, the wind generator should be about twice the height of obstructions in front of it (for at least the prevailing wind direction).