Nothing in this for Wind Energy, but usefull all the same. The PDF details a list of schemes approved for the 2012-13 Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) which has been published today by the Utility Regulator
May
10
Draft PPS 18: Renewable Energy RE1
Some interesting reading about the recent Renewables Energy Development. There appears to be alot of emphasis on size and scale, sited near the need for the resourse..
Policy RE 1 Renewable Energy Development
http://www.planningni.gov.uk/index/policy/policy_publications/planning_statements/pps18/pps18_planning_policies/pps18_policies_re1.htm
Development that generates energy from renewable resources will be permitted provided the proposal, and any associated buildings and infrastructure (including transmission lines), would not result in an unacceptable adverse impact on:
(a) public safety; human health; or residential amenity;
(b) visual amenity and landscape character;
(c) biodiversity, nature conservation or built heritage interests;
(d) local natural resources, including air and water quality; and
(e) public access to the countryside.
Proposals will be expected to be located at, or as close as possible to, the source of the resource needed for that particular technology, unless, in the case of a Combined Heat and Power scheme, it can be demonstrated that the benefits of the scheme outweigh the costs of transportation and an end user is identified.
Applications for renewable energy development will be expected to be accompanied by an appropriate detailed statement of the environmental effects of the proposal, and for any larger scale project, its benefits in terms of the amount of energy it is anticipated to generate.
Certain development, depending on its scale or location may require an Environmental Impact Assessment and in addition where a proposal would be likely to have a significant effect on a Site of International Nature Conservation Importance, the developer will need to submit such information as required by the competent authority to carry out an Appropriate Assessment.
Permission will only be granted if any unavoidable damage that would be caused during installation, operation (or in the case of windfarms, decommissioning) is minimised and mitigated, and where necessary, compensated for.
The wider environmental, economic and social benefits of all proposals for renewable energy projects, whatever their scale, are material considerations that will be given significant weight in determining whether planning permission should be granted.
In addition developers of major windfarms and other large scale renewable energy projects will be encouraged to provide Community Benefits outside the planning process.
The information and best practice guidance for all forms of renewable 14 energy development set out in Annex 1 will be taken into account in assessing proposals.
Wind Energy Development
Applications specifically for wind energy development will also be required to demonstrate all of the following:
(i) that the development will not have a unacceptable impact on visual amenity or landscape character through: the number, scale, size and siting of turbines; or the need for new transmission lines for connection to the electricity supply grid;
(ii) that the development will not impact significantly on peatland carbon stores if sited in or near a peatland habitat;
(iii) that the development has taken into consideration the cumulative impact of neighbouring wind turbines or wind farm development, existing or approved;
(iv) that no part of the development will give rise to unacceptable electromagnetic interference to communications installations; radar or air traffic control systems; emergency services communications; or other telecommunication systems;
(v) that no part of the development will have an unacceptable impact on roads, rail or aviation safety;
(vi) that the development will not cause significant harm to the safety or amenity of the users of any regularly occupied building arising from noise; shadow flicker; ice throw; and reflected light; and
(vii) that above-ground redundant plant (including turbines), buildings and associated infrastructure shall be removed and the site restored to an agreed standard appropriate to its location.
In addition to the information and best practice guidance set out in Annex 1, supplementary guidance on the sensitivity of the Region’s landscapes to wind energy development is currently in preparation and will also be taken into account in assessing proposals.
May
01
Endurance E-3120 Live Data
Just in case you have missed it on the main website, we have now publishing a link to live data from one of our E-3120 fleet in Northern Ireland.
Follow this link for live data
With our fleet performing well above expectations, we have another 6 due for arrival before the end of November, the E-3120 is proving to be a popular choice for large farms. It’s strong pedigree, quality build, quiet operation and lowest cost per kWh, and soon to be UK-manufactured!
May
01
New PW1 form for Planning Application for Wind Turbines in Northern Ireland
The Department has introduced a new planning application form (Form P1W) which must accompany planning applications for single wind turbine and wind farm developments. The P1W form which will become effective on Monday 30th April 2012 can be downloaded from the Planning Application Forms page on the NI Planning Portal
For more detail contact our planning specialists, Trevor or Paul on 028 8773 8888
Follow this link – p1w-4
May
01
Removal of 40% discount for domestic and small business electiricty connection
Not directly related to wind turbines, but just thought this document would be relevant to those thinking in getting a new electricity connection…
Till now, domestic and small business have 40% connection subsidy, which is due to be removed from all connection offers requested after 1 October 2012.
Mar
09
Gaia Wind Launch New Brochure For Their Class Leading 133 Wind Turbine
Glasgow based, Gaia Wind have lanuced their new sales brochure for their MCS approved - Gaia Wind 133 wind turbine. The class leading Gaia 133 wind turbine features 20 years of danish design and pedigree.
Snipets from the brochure include:
Swept Area:
“Forget generator size. Did you know that the most important factor in assessing the
performance of a wind turbine is the swept area of the blades? This is the size of the
area covered when the rotor blades turn. The bigger the blades, the more energy
collected from the wind.”
Happy Customers:
“The tower is 150 metres from our home and it’s absolutely silent. We are producing
more energy than we need; probably about 70% is exported to the grid.”
“Since commissioning, the turbine has operated faultlessly and has achieved a
higher output than projected. It runs very smoothly and quietly and cannot
be heard in the house which is only 70 metres from it.”
To view the new Gaia Wind Brochure, click on link - New Gaia Wind 133 Brochure Download
Silverford Renewables – Rewarding Generation!
Mar
07
Latest Report From Met Office – Scotland & Ireland Ranking High in Long Term Wind Forecasts.
The latest report form the Met Office reads:
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The table below confirms that Scotland has one of the highest long-term average
wind speeds in Europe, making it an attractive region for wind farm developments
on all scales. Onshore, Scotland hosts the largest wind farms in Europe and is also
popular with small and medium wind markets.
Offshore, large-scale wind projects are either planned, under development or fully operational in Scottish territorial waters.
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The table also highlights that Scotland has the most challenging wind regime in Europe in
terms of the wide variation of wind speeds across its highlands and islands, both onshore
and offshore .
Volatility is based on an inter-annual wind variability index taken from the Met Office global
weather model. Such high volatility makes it a very difficult region in which to accurately
assess long-term wind speeds for individual sites.
Impacts of using inaccurate long-term wind speed data.
The graph below highlights the range of potential under-performances in power yields that can
result from experiencing lower than initially estimated wind speeds once the site is operational.
It illustrates that reductions in wind speeds of between 0.1m/s and 0.5m/s will result in
unrealised power yields of up to 20%. Higher under-performances in wind speeds of
1.0m/s and over, for example if using NOABL data, can result in revenue shortfalls of
up to 40% which may not only destroy profitability altogether but significantly impact
the ability to service any long-term debt.
Shortfalls will depend on the diligence in pre-construction wind assessment and the particular choice of turbine.
For more information on the Met Office Virtual Met Mast Service – see www.metoffice.gov.uk
Mar
07
Gaia Wind Latest News Letter – March 2012
More than 20 years of small wind turbine design and innovation.
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Feb
23
NFU Launch Farm Energy Service For NFU Members in UK
The NFU has launced a new Farm Energy Service iniative which provides a range of renewables and energy efficiency services to help reduce environmental impact and increase farm profits is being launched for NFU members.
The Farm Energy Service will offer independent advice and guidance on a range of energy issues including solar panels, wind energy, grid connections and energy contracts. It will also provide assistance with legal queries, planning, finance and insurance. Benefits include a free initial survey, access to an energy contract finder service and a discounted fee structure.
The partnership sees the NFU teaming up with renewable energy specialists Fisher German and energy efficiency and contract management experts Farm Energy. NFU President Peter Kendall, who will officially launch the service during this year’s NFU Conference, said the recent creation of Feed in Tariffs and Renewable Heat Incentive schemes had sparked great interest in renewable energy which had led to a reassessment of the kinds of services the NFU provides.
“The NFU’s recent survey of members showed that nearly one in three is involved in some kind of renewable energy activity, and 20 per cent are generating clean electricity from natural resources like the sun and wind”, said Mr Kendall.
“Our own Government ministers are now realising the enormous potential of land-based renewables, so this is very much the right time for the NFU to provide a comprehensive energy service. “Farmers and growers can manage their use and production of energy to support farm profitability while impacting less on the environment.”
NFU member Colin Godwin from Wiltshire has already made use of the new service – ” I was pleased with the expertise I received from the NFU Farm Energy Service partners and believe I have saved a substantial amount of money, insulating myself from rising electricity prices”, said Mr Godwin.
Silverford Note: Be interesting to see if UFU follow suit..
Article taken fom Farmers Gaurdian
Silverford Renewables – Rewarding Generation!
Feb
23
Wind Turbine MCS AEP Figures & Smoke & Mirrors – Some Clarity Required.
This weeks blog post comes in light of Silverford’s recent showing at CAFRE Enniskillen, Renewable Event for farmers in Co Fermanagh. Several other wind turbine suppliers/dealers/installers/reps where there from Northern Ireland demonstrating their products and showing their respective turbine models…..but one thing was missing.
So what was missing, you may ask?
Despite many of the turbines at the CAFRE event having full MCS (Micro Certification Scheme) approval – many of the dealers/resellers of the approved turbines, did not have the official MCS AEP (Annual Energy Production) figures on show/display for their respective UK government certified turbine models, to give to farmers/interested clients.
So what’s the big issue over not showing MCS AEP figures?
The main problem is that many farmers/interested clients do not know to ask dealers/resellers about MCS AEP figures or annual energy yields. A fact backed up from our experience at the recent CAFRE event – that many dealers/resellers/reps did not have the official Uk Government approved MCS figures for their respective turbines to hand or on show. It’s a bit like going to buy a car, the dealer claim’s it does 60mpg and the official tests say it does 40mpg! - big difference.
The MCS AEP figures are very important – as you need a leveller or comparable when judging turbines - you basically need to compare apples with apples, and not manufacture steriod injected/hyped up apples…
MCS AEP output is a very important consideration in your turbine feasibilty/pay back. And it’s the not the size of your wind turbine generator that you get paid ROC’s or FIT on – it’s the annual energy production (AEP) that your turbine produces in Kwhs each year -that your income/revenue stream is based/paid on.
As an example, using the official MCS AEP Figures for two turbines, we have the following:
Turbine A is a 10kw, and turbine B is a 11kw turbine – fairly similar in generator size, you may agree? With only a 1kw difference in size. And to the untrained eye – they’re almost the same…..well that’s what the reseller/dealer may apparently tell you…
Output Figures for both A & B turbines, as certified by MCS - are as follows:
Turbine A MCS output @ 5m/s wind speed is 13,842 Kwhs per year.
Turbine B MCS output @ 5m/s wind peed is 27,502 Kwhs per year.
Turbine A MCS output @ 6m/s wind speed is 22,300 Kwhs per year.
Turbine B MCS output @6m/s wind speed is 37,939 Kwhs per year.
Note – see more here on the above.
So you see, despite the turbines being fairly similar in generator size (10kw-11kw) turbine B runs rings around turbine A, in annual energy output and ultimately revenue generation. This different is a factor of many things – but mainly due to swept area – read more here on swept area – here.
The key thing here is – forget what size of generator you have on your turbine (10/15/20kw) and look for the official MCS AEP figures over various wind speeds – and select the turbine AEP output that matches your wind speeds on site. The average wind speed in Northern Ireland is 5.75 m/s – forget the hype that you have a 7.5/8.0 m/s wind speed site – unless you live on a mountain top or coastal location. The simple fact is, and juding by our fleet of installed turbines – wind speeds fall between 5.5 m/s – 6.75 m/s – and possibly up to 7m/s on a very good site - Regardless of what wind maps or online wind measuring tools say.
Summary:
It’s ultimately disapointing and frustrating that many turbine manufactures/dealers/resellers, despite having MCS approved turbines, are not that keen to show their MCS AEP figures when tested by a 3rd party company like MCS. I think it should be made a legal requirement under MCS testing that all turbine manufactures/dealers/resellers should display their MCS AEP figures openly on their web site. Silverford dispay the Gaia Wind 133 MCS figures here, and Gaia Wind show it here.
What the wind industry needs today is clarity – something that sadly is lacking when it comes to talking about what your approved turbine really generates in power every year. So i’ll hand it over to our famers/interested clients – go and look at all the MCS approved turbine manufactures/dealers/resellers web sites and try and find the MCS figures for their respective turbine – i wish you good luck in finding them.
You ultimately have to ask yourself – why are they not that keen for you to see their government certified MCS AEP figures? Apparently some might even say, it could be a case of - Smoke and Mirrors.
Silverford Renewables – Rewarding Generation!