A buyers guide to wind power

To find out more about installing a domestic small-scale wind turbine call 0800 512 012 or visit energysavingtrust.org.uk

The blades of a wind turbine are connected to a rotating shaft which passes into an electricity generator. Inside the generator the shaft rotates within a magnetic field to create electricity. In smaller wind turbines the blades are often connected directly to a permanent magnet generator. In larger machines a gearbox is often used to increase the rotational speed.

What are the benefits of wind turbines? What is wind energy?

The UK benefits from some of the highest average wind speeds in Europe, making it an ideal candidate for wind energy. The technology now generates around 2.5% of the UKs electricity and the proportion is increasing rapidly. Between 2007 and 2009 the amount of electricity generated from wind power in the UK increased by over 75%. Large scale wind farms generate electricity for energy companies much like any other power station. On a smaller scale a domestic small-scale wind turbine can generate power to supply individual buildings with any surplus being exported to the national grid. Once installed they require minimal maintenance and can be integrated into the electrical distribution system or grid. There are other numerous benefits to wind turbines: The UK has 40% of the European wind resource available.

Power generation continues at night and in wintertime. They can be pole mounted or building mounted. to the local They can be connected in off-grid systems electricity grid or used
with electricity storage such as batteries. your households overall They can reduceemissions a major carbon dioxide contributor towards climate change. Wind turbines are available in a wide range of sizes. Domestic turbines generally range from 1 kilowatt (kW) to 6kW. Smaller microturbines (less than 100 watts) are often used to charge 12 volt (V) or 24V batteries for use on off-grid systems, often seen on boats. This guide will focus on systems connected to the electricity grid rather than off-grid battery charging systems.

How do wind turbines work?

Wind has been used for centuries as a free source of energy. Windmills utilised this energy to power machinery for physical work like crushing grain or pumping water. Today the power of the wind is commonly harnessed by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electricity.

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Types of wind turbine systems

There are two main designs of wind turbine those with a horizontal axis and those with a vertical axis. Most turbines for homes have a horizontal axis. They can be mounted directly on a building but turbines mounted on free-standing towers or poles can be more effective at capturing the winds energy. Horizontal turbines have the main rotor shaft and generator at the top of a tower with the turbine blades automatically pointing into the wind like an aeroplane propeller. The turbine head comprising the blades and the generator rotates freely on top of the tower to align itself with the wind. In high winds many turbine heads are designed to turn away from the wind to prevent the turbine being damaged. Towers need strong foundations or support to make sure they remain firmly

anchored to the ground. For domestic machines a securely guyed pole may be more appropriate than a rigid tower. Vertical turbines have the main rotor shaft running vertically allowing the generator and/ or gearbox to be placed at the bottom near the ground. The turbine does not need to point into the wind and so manufacturers claim they are more suitable in areas where the wind is turbulent. Building mounted turbines are a new type of wind turbine designed to be installed directly onto a building. This means you avoid the costs of having a free standing tower and foundations. Designs of these systems vary between manufacturers and include both vertical and horizontal axis machines. However, a building mounted turbine will not normally generate as much electricity as an equivalent pole or tower mounted machine. It may also add stress to your homes building fabric due to increased weight and vibrations. You should always seek specialist guidance before installing a building mounted turbine.

Is a wind turbine suitable for my home?

Before you choose to install a wind turbine there are some important things to consider: Local wind speeds The electricity generated at any one time by a wind turbine is highly dependent on the speed of the wind at the site of the turbine. The Energy Saving Trust recommends that you only consider installing a wind turbine if the annual average wind speed for your site is 5 metres per second (11mph) or more. The windspeed itself is dependent on a number of factors, such as location within the UK, nearby obstructions such as buildings and trees, and also the height of the turbine above ground level or on top of your roof.
A buyers guide to wind power 03

To find out more call free on 0800 512 012.

Connecting to the grid

Large wind turbines usually export all the electricity they generate via a direct connection to the grid. Domestic turbines are generally connected into the existing house electricity system via a piece of equipment called an inverter. When the household is using electricity the turbines output is used directly in the house. If the wind output is greater than household demand the excess is exported to the grid just like a large turbine. When the wind speed drops the household takes its power from the grid just like any other house. A basic grid-connected wind turbine requires no batteries. However if the grid fails - for example, during a severe storm - grid connected inverters automatically switch off to protect engineers working on the line to repair it. If grid related power cuts are common in your area, you might wish to consider some form of back-up storage. Consult with your installer for further details. Make sure that the installer and product are both certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

You can get an initial indication of likely windspeed using our domestic wind speed prediction tool at energysavingtrust.org.uk/ windspeedtool If this indication is promising, we recommend installing an anemometer (wind speed measuring device) to measure the wind speed. You should measure your wind speed for at least three months. However if possible we recommend you do it for a period of 12 months to get realistic wind speed distribution data as wind speeds vary through the year. There should be no significant obstacles such as tall buildings, trees or hills that are likely to reduce the windspeed or increase turbulence. If your home is situated in a sheltered location such as a valley this could diminish a wind turbines performance. A building mounted turbine in an inland built up area is unlikely to perform well. Ideally wind turbines should be sited as far away as possible from buildings, trees or hedges to maximise the benefit of the wind and reduce wind turbulence. The brow of a smooth hill is often the ideal location for a pole mounted turbine. This will also reduce the possibility of operating noise causing a nuisance.

Feed-in Tariffs
If you install an eligible wind turbine you are entitled to support under the Feed-in Tariffs (FITs). To be eligible the system and the installer must both be MCS certified, for more details on FITs visit energysavingtrust.org.uk An eligible installation will receive an annual payment for all the electricity generated, no matter how it is used (the Generation Tariff). Any electricity exported will receive a set Export Tariff. And any electricity you use yourself will save you money on your electricity bill. How much you will receive depends on a number of factors, including wind speed which dictates how much electricity you generate.

07 04 A buyers guide to wind power

It is generally better to use as much of the energy generated by your wind turbine as possible. This avoids the full cost of taking electricity from the local grid and makes maximum use of your own investment in your wind turbine. If you export electricity to the grid you are likely to be paid less than the amount it costs you to buy electricity from your supplier. Eligible turbines installed before the end of March 2012 will receive the following tariffs index linked for 20 years:

Turbine size
<1.5kW >1.5 15kW

Generation Export tariff tariff

34.5p/kWh 26.7p/kWh 3p/kWh 3p/kWh

Costs and savings

The cost of a professionally installed wind turbine system can vary significantly so its important to do as much research as possible. This should include obtaining at least three quotes from reputable installers. Contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 for details of certified products and installers. A typical 1kW building mounted system costs approximately 2,000 including installation. A typical 2.5kW turbine costs around 15,000 and a 6kW system costs approximately 23,500 to install. The capital and installation costs for a wind turbine system can be quite high compared with other technologies. Make sure you obtain full quotations from manufacturers and installers in order to get the best price. Tower and pole mounted turbines will incur significant installation costs but could hold a bigger turbine than if bolting to an existing building and generate more electricity.

Savings will depend on the turbine type size, local wind conditions, economies of scale and the cost of the electricity being replaced by using the wind turbine. Rural or coastal dwellings can benefit more easily from wind energy as local wind conditions are often good. A well sited 6kW turbine could earn and save you around 3,200 per year including generation tariff, export payments and savings on electricity bills. This is based on 75% of generation exported, an export rate of 3p/kWh and a generation tariff of 26.7p/kWh.

per year Generation Tariff Export Tariff Reduction in current electricity bills Total savings and income generated 2,670 220 310 3,200

Based on a tariff rate of 26.7p/kWp, export rate of 3p/kWh and electricity price of 12.5p/kWh. The Feed-in Tariffs are not available in Northern Ireland.

A buyers guide to wind power 05

What to look for in an installer

All wind turbine suppliers should be able to provide a detailed breakdown of the specification and costs of their proposed system. They should also be able to explain how they have calculated the size of the system to be appropriate for your needs. They should supply good quality instructions and operating manuals, as well as provide an estimate of how much electricity will be generated by any proposed installation. Ask at least three installers to specify and cost some potential options for you. We recommend you use an installer and product certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. You can find certified installers at microgenerationcertification.org Check that the installers are members of REAL Assurance Scheme. Members of this scheme agree to abide by the schemes Consumer Code. The code covers issues such as pre-sales activity, contracts including deposits and payment schedules, completing the order and after-sales activities. In particular member companies must not use any high-pressure selling techniques, including: Staying in your home for an unreasonably long time.

Maintenance
Although wind turbines require regular scheduled maintenance, you can expect the system to operate for 20 years or more. Your installer should provide written details of any maintenance checks you should undertake from time to time to make sure everything is working properly. Turbine systems generally come with a long warranty period. A yearly check by a professional installer is recommended. Always consult your system supplier for exact maintenance requirements before you commit to installing the turbine. For battery storage systems, a typical battery life is around 6 to 10 years depending on the battery type. So batteries may have to be replaced at some point in the systems life.

Permission
Although planning policies are being revised to encourage more people to install renewable energy technologies, currently all wind turbines require planning permission. It is also a good idea to consult your neighbours about your plans.

Offering you a high initial price followed by a discount. Offering you a discount for signing on the day. Withholding price information from you until the end of the visit. Claiming that there is limited availability of a product.
For more information about the REAL Assurance Scheme visit realassurance.org.uk

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Use the checklist below to help you select the right installer for your needs. Pick a supplier with experience. Ask: How many years they have been installing systems?

options, For details on availableof powerfor example size, likely generation and maintenance cycles.

performance of the systems About relativeyou are comparing data make sure measured under the same test conditions. How long have they been in business? will project manage the they the estimate of How muchhave calculatedbe generated and If the companycoordinate the erection of whole job and how electricity will the assumptions they have used in that calculation. If they have used a wind speed database only, make sure you discuss the limitations of that database and check the results against the Energy Saving Trust domestic wind speed prediction tool. Choose local where possible. Ask for a list of references and local installations and check them out. Check any professional credentials being quoted. Many competent and experienced installers may not have any relevant professional qualifications. Ask if they are a member of an appropriate trade organisation and check that they are suitably certified. Get lots of information on system options and potential problems so you talk confidently to installers. Ask: For recent manuals and brochures.

the turbine. This is very important as it will make the process much easier for you.

For information on regulations that apply, including health and safety guidelines and
how the installer will address them.

Check quotations for detail. Ask: About government incentives your installer will have to ensure that the system is eligible for FITs payments.

About payment options. is Is the About whattheincludedincluded?price of erecting turbine

For any background information and test data.

About warranties - all installers shouldon provide a minimum one year warranty
the installation.

Check the time limits of any guarantees and warranties and find out what they cover. Ask: About after-installation services offered.

of For detailstimewhat the warranty covers and over what period. Do not compare installers on cost alone; the cheapest may not be the most appropriate. Ask:
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How the Energy Saving

Trust can help
The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation providing free, impartial advice to help you stop wasting energy and money and help fight climate change. To find out what you can do to generate your own energy visit energysavingtrust.org.uk or call us free on 0800 512 012. Our advisors will: Give you personalised advice on whats practical for your home.

To start generating your own energy visit

Energy Saving Trust energysavingtrust.org.uk Microgeneration Certification Scheme microgenerationcertification.org REAL Assurance Scheme realassurance.org.uk
(trade association of the UK wind energy industry)

Put you in touch with local certified installers. Tell you about grants and offers available.

RenewableUK

renewable-uk.com Energy Saving Trust domestic wind speed prediction tool energysavingtrust.org.uk/windspeedtool

All measure costs and savings are correct at time of printing. However financial savings will change as energy prices rise or fall. Please refer to our website for the most recent measure costs and savings.

Energy Saving Trust 21 Dartmouth Street, London SW1H 9BP Tel. 0800 512 012 energysavingtrust.org.uk EC324 Energy Saving Trust January 2011. E&OE.

Printed on Revive Silk which contains 75% de-inked post-consumer waste and a maximum of 25% mill broke.