Wind Turbines

Brief introduction to our wind turbines.

Here is some information on wind turbines, please click on the links for further information.

	Types of Wind Turbines
	The most important factors when choosing a wind turbine
	Turbine Sizes
	Savings and costs

Types of Wind Turbines

There are many different types and each have advantages depending on where they are placed and what they are used for.

Grid tied versus Battery Connected
Grid tied turbines feed power directly into your home whilst you are using appliances.
If the turbine is generating power and you are not using it, it is fed directly into the national grid.
Currently there are no financial incentives for home owners but this is likely to change next year.
Battery connected systems store this excess energy in large batteries. This is slightly more efficient but not as cost effective.
Batteries need regular maintenance and manufacturer’s warranties are not sufficient to make this a viable option at present.

Tower (Free standing and guy wire) and (lattice)
The free standing is the most typical type where you see a poll supported only by a large base plate.
A second variation of this is where you see “guy wires” attached to the sides of the poll, supporting it (often 4 or 8 wires in all)

Free Standing or Guy Wire

Lattice
This type is probably the least familiar and is often best suited for commercial applications where aesthetics are less of an issue.

Axis

There are two main types of wind turbine. Vertical Axis Wind Turbines also known as (VAWT’s) and Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT’s)

HAWT’s are much more common in domestic situations and the most familiar type.

VAWT’s are more suited to commercial applications and are excellent at operating in confused wind areas. They are less aesthetically pleasing but very effective at lower wind speeds.

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The most important factors we recognise when choosing a wind turbine are;

• Demand for electricity
• When you use it
• Location

The price of electricity in Ireland is rising and only recently have micro turbines made sense for home owners.
A typical house using 8,000 kilowatts of electricity each year will spend €1,450 on energy and €140 on ESB standing charges.
A 2.5kW turbine on a good site would reduce this bill by 60%+ / €900+ at current prices. (ESB have announced an undisclosed increase in January 2009)

When you use it,
Wind turbines have an output coincident with the domestic power curve. They produce more power during the day than they do at night
and more power in the winter than in the summer when we tend to have higher demands for lighting and heating.

Location
We will look up your site on our wind maps and establish an estimate of output.
As wind speed increases for every meter higher the turbine is placed, we will look to erect the turbine to the highest limits
within the planning permission exemptions. (13 meters for domestic and 20 meters for commercial sites)

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Turbines Sizes (Vertical Axis)

2.5kW

The 2.5kW turbine has a low start up speed. This means it begins producing useable power at low speeds.
It has only 3 moving parts and these are sealed for life, making it extremely robust.

This turbine will produce 5,000kW hours of power on a site with a wind speed below 6m/s.
On a 6.5m/s site it can produce 6,000kW/hours.

5.8kW

The 5.8kW turbine has the lowest start up speed of all turbines. It begins producing useable power at 2.5m/s.

This turbine will produce 10,000 – 12,000+kW/hours of power on a site with a wind speed of about 6 m/s.

10.0kW

The 10.0kW turbine has a low start up speed at just 3.0m/s. It begins producing useable power at 3.0m/s.

This turbine will produce 20,000 – 24,000+kW/hours of power on a site with a wind speed of about 6m/s.

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2.5kW wind turbine on a site with a wind speed of 6.5m/s

Fully installed price including VAT @21% €13,850

5.8kW wind turbine on a site with a wind speed of 6.5m/s

Fully installed price including VAT @21% €29,950

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Commercial Wind Turbines also available

Commercial Turbines also available most suited to the following applications

• Farming, (Dairy, Pig, Chicken, Shell-fish)
• Manufacturing,
• Hotel and guesthouses,

More information about Wind Turbines

	More about Wind Turbines
	Is Wind Turbine Energy Practical for Your Home
	Wind Turbines and rising electricity costs
	Wind turbine Myths
	More Wind Turbine Myths

Contacting us
For further information on any of our Wind Turbines or services callsave 1890 245 345 or please complete our
Free online enquiry form...click here