NISEP List of Schemes 2012-13

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

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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!

For more detail contact our planning specialists, Trevor or Paul on 028 8773 8888

Follow this link – p1w-4

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.

Electricity_connection_policy_decision_paper_-_April_2012

 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!

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!

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!