Feedback from Small Onshore Wind installation workshop
On 17th June the WICO project hosted a workshop during the Seawork 2010 exhibition in Southampton. The event focused upon the opportunities small wind systems represent to marine businesses.
Many marine companies will have access to coastal locations with significantly better wind resources than further inland. For these locations wind turbines of various designs and sizes will be strong contenders within a low-carbon energy strategy. The power generated by a wind turbine increases as a cube function of the wind speed. This makes sites with higher mean wind velocities very much more attractive.
As individuals or companies, generating our own electricity to both cut bills and reduce our carbon foot-prints is an attractive idea. Installing a small wind device is one of a number of ways to achieve this but how do you know if it is the right technology to choose?
During the event a range of expert speakers explained to a marine sector audience how site selection, wind resource assessment and planning procedures have to be considered when contemplating the installation of small wind power devices.
Francesco Matteucci (Tozzi Nord) explained the importance behind accurate wind resource measurement and the techniques employed to achieve this. He also highlighted that the particular characteristics of a site can have a significant impact upon the power generated.
Brendan Webster (Marine South East) spoke about the work the WICO partnership has been undertaking to compare and analyse public policies and planning regimes and the impact they have upon the uptake of small wind installations. Of particular interest was the likely emergence of 'permitted development' status for small scale wind devices in the UK.
Alan Banks (CEO Envirobusiness) gave a detailed explanation of the UK's new system of Feed-In Tariffs for renewable energy generation and how it is making small wind turbines increasingly attractive and financially viable.
Stephen Crosher from quietrevolution, a leading UK turbine manufacturer described how vertical axis turbines might be the right type of device for installing in places where nearby buildings and other obstructions create turbulent air-flow. Under test quietrevolution turbines actually generated more power in turbulent wind conditions.
To download the presentations from this event please go to http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/wico/downloads
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