Thursday 29th July 2010
As Xpelair powers ahead with the next generation in wind turbine technology, we asked them for their top 10 FAQ'sXpelair, leaders in energy-saving ventilation solutions, recently announced the introduction of a range of ultra-quiet, high performance Micro-wind turbines called ‘StealthGen’ Given the growing interest in all things ‘renewable’ and ‘low carbon’ we asked Richard Scott, Marketing Manager for Xpelair’s parent company Applied Energy, for his top 10 frequently asked questions. Mr Scott said “Small scale or micro-generation of energy is a key part of the Governments strategy for reducing carbon emissions and reducing the increasingly obvious impact of climate change. Over 20 years the new Xpelair Stealth-Gen can produce 11,000KW hours of electricity, saving over 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The benefits of Micro-generation technologies like these are highlighted within the recently published Energy White Paper. Q. Where can a wind-turbine be installed? A. Not all wind-turbines are the same. Next generation technology, designed for more urban environments are increasingly requested; ours is designed to be visually unobtrusive, but with a powerful, low friction axial field alternator, which provides for start-up at lower wind speeds and results in lower noise levels and vibration free operation. A modern fixing system, which spreads the load across a wider area, provides safe and secure installation of the turbine to just about any building. However, we believe it’s important that wind turbines are specified honestly; not every site will be suitable. Where there are obstructions like tall trees or buildings the output will be significantly reduced. We would not recommend installation in these conditions. Q. How much power can the micro-wind turbine generate? A. Total output is, of course, dependant upon the wind. But by starting at lower wind speeds turbines like the ‘StealthGen’ produce more energy than those that start more slowly of a similar size. Low noise systems are only possible with low friction axial field alternators, which ensure more of the wind energy is converted into electricity. The low-speed, high solidity rotors with multiple blades, create maximum torque and therefore maximum energy generation. Only next generation technology offers this. Typical output from a single turbine of this design can be between 400 and 600 kilowatt hours per year. This performance makes them suitable in applications where other turbines are not. On a well specified site this is an average of 1.6kW hours per day. A typical family may use 10kW hours per day. Q. Some Turbines are very noisy, aren’t they? Noise is a crucial factor. When more of the available wind is converted into electrical energy (and not sound energy) and this is combined with low friction, low speed technology, you produce a turbine that is almost silent in operation and vibration free. That’s good news for the building and the people who live, or work within it! Q. Will the installation damage my house or building? A. Not if it’s correctly installed with a safe and secure proprietary ‘load spreading’ fixing system. The stresses smaller turbines place upon a building are minor in engineering terms, assuming the building is in good repair, which must be checked. Fixing systems designed to spread the load over a large section of wall, like the StealthGen, have demonstrated a safety factor of 3 against the ‘ultimate’ storm in extensive testing. It’s important to check for this level of performance from any supplier. Q. How is the electricity used? A. Micro-wind turbines usually feed electricity directly into the ring main of your house via a small box called a G83 inverter. The power is used within the home in the normal manner. Alternatively some companies, like Xpelair, offer systems which allow the electricity generated to be used to directly feed a battery system or other application. In the coming months we will launch a ‘controls pack’ to allow connection directly to the immersion element of a hot water tank. This reduces the cost of installation, because the G83 inverter is no longer required, while potentially increasing the carbon savings. Q. Can I sell excess power back to the electricity company? A. Where there are no electrical loads on the house, power will simply flow back to the local grid if it is connected via the G83 inverter. If you wish to be paid for this energy, you will require an export or ‘smart’ meter and an export tariff rate agreed with your electricity company. These are not yet widely available, but will become increasingly so in the coming month and years. Q. How much maintenance does the system need? A. You want a wind-turbine that is designed to be ‘fit & forget’. It should not require any regular maintenance and have service life of 20 years. Q. Will we need planning permission to install it? A. For the time being, yes! However, moves are well underway to ensure that the energy and carbon saving benefits of wind turbines are recognised in the planning process and perhaps not required at all. Most planning authorities already have a positive attitude and you will find them helpful and supportive. A few are still catching up and you should politely direct them to planning policy statement 22 (PPS22) which promotes the use of micro-generation technology, and which they have a legal requirement to follow. Q. What will a typical micro-wind turbine cost? A. A next generation technology grid connected system, comprising turbine, fixing system, electronic controls and the G83 inverter can cost less than £3000 fully and professionally installed. This figure can be reduced significantly for non grid-connected systems. There are cheaper systems available, but check power generation potential, noise performance and fixing safety level before you proceed. Q. Who can install the system for me? A. Ideally you want access to a network of specialist companies that provide professional installation. Their work should be certified, providing total confidence that the mechanical and electrical integrity of the installation conforms to the highest industry standards. For more information and the latest list of installers for Xpelair, email aeinfo@applied-energy.com or call 01733 456870. Xpelair is committed to responsible specification of wind-turbines both in system design and site location. Anyone Xpelair recommends to carry out installation must comply with these standards. We will not recommend installation where there are safety concerns or where carbon and energy savings cannot be achieved. Q. What impact will a wind-turbine have on climate change or the country’s energy security? A. We believe it’s vital that each individual play their part in reducing the carbon emissions that are directly contributing to the devastating effects of climate change and making the country reliant upon imported energy. On average, each appropriately specified turbine installation will save over quarter of a tonne of carbon dioxide emissions. Wind turbines are ‘contributory technologies’ they won’t provide all your electricity needs or solve climate change by themselves, but they can and will make an important contribution. | Released at: 10:00 03/09/2007 A critical component in the Government’s strategy  Click to view larger version (22.4KB) |
Go back
