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Location, location: proper turbine placement key to viability

January 14, 2009

Wind trials confirm importance of good sites for small wind systems

BWEA, UK's leading renewable energy trade association, reiterated the importance of site assessment in deploying small wind systems, following yesterday's launch of the Encraft Warwick Wind Trial report.

Commenting on the report Alex Murley, BWEA Small Systems Manager said: "The results show that turbines need to be placed in environments that offer good wind speeds. The UK is the windiest country in Europe and there are thousands of such sites, many of which have been used to good effect and offer owners of small wind systems not just savings on their electricity bills, but an opportunity to export surplus energy to the grid."

The majority of the turbines in the Warwick report were monitored in an urban environment known to offer, on average, lower electricity yields than rural open spaces. Wind system installers and small wind systems suppliers recommend that on-site wind speed data and careful measurements are taken over a period of time prior to installation. The trial showed that despite installer and customer optimism, only 5 of the 26 sites where turbines were monitored have an annual average wind speed of over 5 m/s, considered a lower limit of commercial viability. As the trial demonstrates, the national wind speed database (NOABL), a UK Government webtool often used to predict onsite wind resource, can systematically overstate wind speeds in urban areas by 40-75% and potentially exaggerate turbine outputs by a factor of 8 or more if used simplistically.

Murley added: "Over the last three years BWEA has developed robust industry standards for both products and installers, to better educate would-be consumers on what the technology can achieve, if sited and installed correctly. The overwhelming majority of small wind system installations are a success - when they are sited properly they save money and energy. The Warwick trials do not show that small wind is not viable. We know that it is, and the experience of thousands of UK users bears this out."

The UK leads the world in the manufacture of micro and small-wind turbines, exporting 40% of product to over 100 countries. BWEA called on the Government to support further growth of the sector by urgently addressing the planning system which is preventing thousands of UK households and businesses from generating their own clean green energy.

For more information please contact:

  • Alex Murley, BWEA Small Systems Manager on 0207 288 8372 or on 07772 640 141, e-mail: alex@bwea.com
  • Charles Anglin, BWEA Director of Communications on 0207 689 1966 or on 07740 023 641, e-mail: charles@bwea.com
  • Nick Medic, BWEA Communications Manager on 0207 689 1935 or on 07792 462 719, e-mail: nick@bwea.com

Notes to editors

The British Wind Energy Association is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 453 corporate members, BWEA is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK. Wind has been the world's fastest growing renewable energy source for the last seven years, and this trend is expected to continue with falling costs of wind energy and the urgent international need to tackle CO2 emissions to prevent climate change.
The UK small and micro wind systems sector has been growing at an annual rate of 80%. The BWEA's first annual small systems market report shows that growth will continue into 2009 and 2010. For a copy go here: www.bwea.com/pdf/small/BWEA_SWS_UK_Market_Report_2008.pdf

The trial results are available here http://www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk/