Energy Solve do not sell or install Wind turbines directly but will advise customers on the pros, the cons and the feasibility of wind power and provide the service through one of our affiliated agents.
How it Works….

A wind turbine generates kinetic energy through wind velocity and converts it to electricity compatible with a home’s electrical system. Windmills work by slowing down the speed of the wind. The wind flows over the airfoil shaped blades causing lift, similar to the effect on the wings of airplanes, which causes them to turn. The blades are connected to drive a shaft, which turns the electric generator to produce electricity.In a normal residential application, the wind turbine, and an additional traditional supply source (Typically ESB) serve a home simultaneously. If the wind speeds are below cut-in speed (7-10 mph) there will be no output from the turbine and all of the needed power is purchased from the traditional supply source. As wind speeds increase, turbine output increases and the amount of power purchased from the traditional supply source is reduced.

Types of Turbines

There are two primary types of domestic wind turbines.  Large mounted turbines that are typically 9 – 11 meters in height and roof mounted turbines. Both have positive and negative aspects.  Mounted, stand alone Turbines are large sometimes unsightly structures. They are expensive and very much site dependent. They are however, cost effective and energy efficient. Payback period is typically 10 – 15 years at current energy prices (which we expect to increase). Owners can at this point can begin to either sell energy back to the grid or offset their standard energy consumption with freely generated wind power.

Wall mounted wind turbines are substantially cheaper, tidier and more dynamic. Unfortunately there are substantial problems associated with the installation. Wind, as you might expect, moves the turbine and can cause substantial vibrations which can effect the structural integrity of your roof. The output of the small turbines is considerably less as well, usually in the region of 600-800 KWH per year. Cost effectiveness is substantially less than that off larger turbines. Without significant grant funding the payback period could be over 15 years.

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The benefits of wind electricity

• Harness a plentiful energy source: in Ireland we have an ideal environment, topography and wind supply to make it an effective form of both domestic and national energy generation
• Cut your carbon footprint: wind electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants.
• Cut your electricity bills: wind is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
• Store electricity for a calm day: if your home isn’t connected to the National Grid you can store excess electricity in batteries and use it when there is no wind.
• Sell electricity back to the grid: if your system is producing more electricity than you need, or when you can’t use it, someone else can use it – and you could make a bit of money.

Is wind electricity suitable for my home?

To tell if a small scale domestic wind turbine is right for you, there are a few key questions to consider:

• Are there any large obstacles like buildings, trees or hills near your home? Small domestic wind turbines work best in exposed locations, without turbulence caused by these type of obstacles
• Is your home is a windy area? To be effective you need an average windspeed of no less than 5m/s.
• Is your home located away from the National Grid? Small domestic wind systems are particularly suitable for use in remote locations where mains electricity is unavailable.
• Do you need planning permission? Small domestic wind systems normally do require permission from your local authority, so check before you install a system.

Choosing your Site

The following are some basic points that you should consider first:

1. Is your proposed location reasonably free of obstructions 1-2 km towards the South West? (i.e. hills or trees in the direction where the sun sets in the summer)
2. Is your location completely free of any obstruction 14 metres from tower in any direction? The windmill should be 14 metres minimum away from the border of your land as well.
3. Is this location behind your main building?
4. Is the distance behind the windmill relatively free of obstruction? i.e. does the land rise quickly behind the site meaning that wind may bypass the proposed location?

Financial and environmental considerations

Financial

Generally, payback on your wind turbine investment depends on the following;

(1)Your total ESB bill

(2)What size windmill you would like to consider

(3)The efficiency of the location for wind generation.

Example Payback period

A detached house would generally look at between a 3-6Kw wind turbine to meet their demands.

The payback for this would be approx 8 -12 years with the windmill lifetime estimated around 25 years

Environmental

Each year, for every megawatt of Irish wind energy that displaces fossil fuel power production, environmental, economic and social benefits

include:

> Clean electricity to meet the electricity needs of 650 homes;

> Removes the need to import 6,450 barrels of oil;

> The avoidance of 2700 tonnes of CO2;

> The avoidance of 49 tonnes of SO2;

> The avoidance of 5.5 tonnes of NOx;

> The avoidance of 175 tonnes of slag and ash for landfill.