Wind Turbines
Before you choose a wind turbine, try to reduce your energy consumption
by making your home or business more energy efficient. In many cases,
installation of energy efficient bulbs, appliances and proper insulation
can result in very large reductions in energy use. Depending on how much
electricity you want or need to produce, an appropriately sized small
wind turbine system can then be chosen.
Cost effective turbines that will generate a significant annual energy
output (in kilowatt-hours, kWh, or “units”) for domestic applications
range in size from 600watt up to 10kW (1kw = 1000watt). Larger models up
to 20kW are available and are suitable for small business or
light-industrial applications. Smaller, or 'micro', turbines under
600watt tend to be not as cost-effective, but are ideal for small spaces
such as yachts, caravans or mobile homes, or for specialist
battery-charging applications such as mountain-top telecommunications.
Generally, the larger the turbine, the more economical it is at
generating power.
Small wind turbines generate direct current (DC) electricity. An
inverter is therefore required to convert to alternating current (AC)
used by electrical appliances.
Despite the fact that the island of Ireland is known for its excellent
wind resources, the annual average wind speed – that which will
determine a wind electric system’s output – can vary dramatically from
one site to the next (see below). However, some indicative figures can
be used to show what sort of outputs can be expected from small wind
turbines:
A typical home in Ireland consumes about 5,000 - 7,000 kWh of
electricity per year. 2.5 – 10kW models will usually cover part or most
household consumption in a typical Irish household, depending on the
wind regime. These turbines would be even more cost-effective if the
excess could be sold to the grid, which is currently still unavailable
in the Republic of Ireland.
Wow recommends the use of a combined wind/solar system in most cases.
Site
Any site will have different average wind speeds at different locations
within the property. A first consideration will be height – are there
any hills or raised portions of the property not too distant from the
load (house, batteries, water pump etc)? These will be more suitable
than gullies or in the lee of hills.
The site must also have a good ‘aspect’ to the prevailing wind. In
Ireland, the most energetic winds come from the southwest and west, so
that wherever a turbine is located, there must be few (if any) obstacles
in these directions. The turbine should be ideally sited upwind of any
buildings or trees and needs to be at least 10m above anything within
100m. You need to plan for new buildings and trees which have not
reached their full height as well.
There must also be enough room for guy wires on a guyed tower, room to
lower the tower for maintenance and safety margins for proximity to
power lines and dwellings. For guyed towers, the size of the ‘footprint’
increases with height. ‘Free-standing’ towers do not require guys and
can be fit into smaller spaces, however, they are more costly.
The wire run from turbine to load (batteries, house, water pump etc.)
must be considered at this stage too. A substantial amount of
electricity can be lost as a result of wire resistance, so that the
longer the wire run, the higher the losses. Thicker wire will reduce the
losses, but this comes at a greater expense
General pricing
All prices are subject to change without notice and are from a range of
companies.
1 kw Bergey XL.1 for energy efficient homes and small cottages.
€10,000 this includes battery, inverter, installation and a small tower.
Larger tower, extra wiring and more batteries are extra.
2.5 kw Proven WT2500 for average houses, energy efficient large
homes or small businesses.
€20,000 this includes battery, inverter, installation and a small tower.
Larger tower, extra wiring and more batteries are extra.
SP 800w control system, turbine, 3.2kw battery bank, 600w
inverter.
€2,500 this does not include installation or tower. Cost including these
is approx. €3,700 will vary according to area and installer used.
SP 800w control system, turbine with 100w solar, 3.2kw battery
bank, 600w inverter.
€3,300 this does not include installation or tower. Cost including these
is approx. €4,450 will vary according to area and installer used.
Average size houses or larger energy efficient houses would put up two
of the SP 800w as this is quite a small turbine, it is also silent.
We hope this provides a good starting point to see if you would like to
progress with domestic wind energy.
Please contact us if you would like more information or if you have any
questions.
WOW Alternative Energy and Environmental Solutions Ltd.
High Street,
Tuam,
Co. Galway
Tel. +353 (0)93 60742
Web: www.wowenergy.ie
