First off, let’s look at power curves….

Below is the power curve for the Endurance  E – 3120 wind turbine.

Below is the power curve for the AOC 50kw  wind turbine*

 At a Glance…..

@5m/s the Endurance makes  8.1  kw,     AOC  makes 3kw*

@6m/s the Endurance makes  15.2 kw,   AOC makes  8kw*

@7m/s the Endurance makes  24.8 kw,   AOC makes  19kw*

@8m/s the Endurance makes  35.8 kw,   AOC makes  27kw*

@9m/s the Endurance makes 43.8 kw,    AOC makes  38kw*

Swept Area & Blade Info…

E-3120  Swept area: 290m  – Blade Dia: 19.2 m

The above demonstrates that the Endurance E 3120  ,with its superior blade diameter and swept area, is  in a different league to the AOC 50kw turbine in regards to power production.

E 3120 Data taken from here – AOC Data is taken from – here, here & here

Silverford Renewables – Rewarding Generation!

 Power Curves* – data & turbine output best represented where manufacture data is not available.

 See the first E 3120 installed in the UK below. 

Main Points:

Arlene Foster – I know that many small-scale developers remain keen to see a feed-in tariff introduced here in Northern Ireland. (SR – indeed we are) My Department has been working on a detailed study to examine the most appropriate way of incentivising small-scale renewable electricity generation in Northern Ireland. This work has included the costs and benefits associated with introducing a feed-in tariff or with maintaining the NIRO. 

As electricity users themselves, developers and renewables businesses in Northern Ireland will appreciate that further incentive represents a cost to electricity consumers which, particularly at a time of economic downturn, must be carefully weighed. We must be sure that it is right for Northern Ireland. I will make an announcement on my decision on the future for incentivising smaller scale installations here later in the year.

Major refurbishment/replacement 

3.14 In the case of existing stations refurbishing parts or replacing parts with new or refurbished equipment we are considering whether to provide additional NIRO support to major refurbishments or replacements. 

3.15 Given the potential material, energy and carbon savings that refurbishing or replacing major components could bring, and the potential to prolong the life of stations beyond what was originally predicted, we propose that some form of support is provided to incentivise efficient use of resources. However, we recognise that stations will have already received support for the initial costs and will not face the same costs of grid connection, planning etc. Providing the same level of support as new stations for an additional 20 years would therefore be overcompensating.

 3.16 We therefore propose to offer a lower level of support and/or a shorter duration of support for such stations. We welcome views on whether you agree with this approach and whether we should treat each technology differently. The appropriate level of support should be determined as part of a banding review and our intention would be to consult further on this and the duration of support.

 3.25 Whilst this consultation also includes proposals that the installation of microgeneration (up to 50kW) equipment should fall under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (see Chapter 4), there is no regulation of larger, refurbished turbines. (SR – yes regulation should be introduced to make installers & resellers accountable for their installation and services provided for turbines over 50kw – new or refurbished) 

3.26 We do not propose to legislate on this particular issue in 2011 as there still much to understand, not least the possibility of introducing a regulatory requirement which could do more to hinder renewables generation than support it. We are therefore seeking views at this time on whether there is sufficient concerns that refurbished wind turbines should be subject to some form of quality/safety regulation. (SR – we have always stated that the reconditioned wind turbine market is a dangerous place for the consumer, when it goes wrong – availabilty of parts, no insurance, manufacture support).     

Previously, microgenerators (i.e. those up to 50kW capacity) who wished to benefit from an installation grant under DETI’s Reconnect scheme or the UK-wide Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) (SR – or NIE grants) had to use an installer accredited under the UK-wide Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). The MCS scheme provides assurances to those installing microgeneration equipment (householders, community groups, SMEs) that both their installation company and the installed equipment are up to a high standard and ensures that installers are suitably assessed and certified.

 4.2 The ending of both Reconnect and LCBP means that there is no regulatory requirement for microgenerators to use MCS installers or equipment. We are keen to close this loophole and we are therefore proposing that all microgenerators receiving full accreditation under the NIRO on or after 1 April 2011 must use MCS certified products installed by MCS accredited installers. We do not believe that this requirement will add any undue burden to microgenerators.

 More info here

More info here

Swept Area & Blade Diameter: 

Gaia 133 11kw Swept area: 133m – Blade Dia: 13m

Hannevind (11kw) –  Swept area: 79 m -  Blade Dia 10m

(why is swept area so important?… find out here) 

Blade Rotation Speed:

Gaia – 56 rpm (fixed speed)

Hannevind 11kw  N/A

Power Curves* at a glance… 

@ 5m/s wind Gaia – 2.8kw      Hannevind 11kw – 2.0 kw          

@ 6m/s wind Gaia – 5.0kw      Hannevind 11kw – 3.3 kw         

@ 7m/s wind Gaia – 7.3kw      Hannevind 11kw – 5.0 kw         

@8m/s wind Gaia – 8.9kw       Hannevind 11kw – 8.25 kw  

Hannevind Power Curve:  manufacture data not available – but  represented  here

Gaia Power Curve: Data taken from here

Power Curves* – data & turbine output best represented where manufacture data is not available.

Note: The  11kw Gaia turbine  is the only only small wind turbine in the world, that currently holds the coveted Danish HB stamp of approval.

To see more info on the class leading Gaia Wind turbine, click here

Silverford Renewables - Rewarding Generation!

Swept Area & Blade Diameter: 

Gaia 133 11kw Swept area: 133m – Blade Dia: 13m

ReDriven (10kw) –  Swept area: 51m -  Blade Dia 8m

(why is swept area so important?… find out here) 

Blade Rotation Speed:

Gaia – 56 rpm (fixed speed)

ReDriven 10kw  >200 rpm.

Power Curves* at a glance… 

@ 5m/s wind Gaia – 2.8kw     ReDriven 10kw – 1.75 kw          

@ 6m/s wind Gaia – 5kw          ReDriven 10kw – 2.3 kw         

@ 7m/s wind Gaia – 7.3kw      ReDriven 10kw – 3.75 kw         

@8m/s wind Gaia – 8.9kw       ReDriven 10kw – 5.1 kw         

@9m/s wind Gaia – 10.4 kw    ReDriven 10kw – 7.25 kw   

Think the above, sums up the Gaia 11kw Wind Turbine performance  nicely….

Cut Out Speed:

Gaia 133 11kw – 25m/s 

 ReDriven 10kw – 18m/s 

Redriven Power Curve:  Data taken from here

Gaia Power Curve: Data taken from here

MCS Listed: 

Gaia 133 - Yes

ReDriven – No

Power Curves* – data & turbine output best represented where manufacture data is not available.

Note: The  11kw Gaia turbine  is the only only small wind turbine in the world, that currently holds the coveted Danish HB stamp of approval.

To see more info on the class leading Gaia Wind turbine, click here

Silverford Renewables – Rewarding Generation!

After speaking to Gwyneth & Ralph, we can see that NIE Energy are certainly taking the lead when  it comes to encouraging renewable generation, in terms of providing grants to domestic wind and pv/solar projects. Both parties debated on various topics, including – ROC’s, Export Energy Tariffs, Grant Assistance and the future of renewables in Northern Ireland. 

Certainly Gwyneth & Ralph, should be congratulated on their refreshingly honest approach to renewable energy generation. We at Silverford,agree that more leaders in the Northern Ireland renewable industry, could learn a thing or two, from the enthusiastic team at NIE Energy, to say the least…  Ultimately, NIE Energy are caught between a ROC  (and a market value roc at that..) and a hard place, in terms of dealing with – leglisation, creating awareness of quality renewable products, provinding self - funded grant assistance and keeping most people happy, quite a juggling act – by anyones standards!  

Overall, it was a thoroughly frank and realistic conversation, which provided most of the answers to most of our questions. Overall, we’d score NIE Energy a  B+, with room for improvement…

Due to many reasons! – both parties have agreed, that due to the nature of the conversation, we cannot divulge any specific information relating to the meeting.

He said, that after speaking to a few wind turbine companies, the pay-back and annual revenue generation from wind turbines that are available in Northern Ireland, varied drastically…

The turbines he enquired about, where  in the 10kw – 20kw range. One reseller quoted that their turbine would make £16k pa, while the other reseller claimed £10k pa. Now, given that i quoted him approx £7k pa (£7.5k minus servicing costs) annual revenue generation, he was slightly bemused to say the least. And given that a Gaia 11kw makes more power than both these turbines in his wind range (approx 6.5 m/s), he was even more confused! 

I passed him Action Renewables contact details,  as he clearly needed some independent wind turbine advice! 

As  Action Renewables  is the leading organisation in Northern Ireland in the promotion and development of renewable energy in Northern Ireland, i have asked them to look into the matter… watch this space!

However, Sinn Fein has again criticised Mr Poots over his failure to cut the current 26 councils down to 11. Sinn Fein’s Alex Maskey claimed he had squandered £400m in savings. He said this was because of what he described as “petty party political considerations”. Earlier this month, the SDLP, Sinn Fein and Alliance ministers all voted for the 11 council model but the three DUP ministers voted against. The UUP ministers did not vote. Michael McGimspey and Sir Reg Empey of the UUP and Mr Poots of the DUP absented themselves from the vote due to their roles as councillors. Local government representatives have given a qualified yes to the environment minister’s demand that they pay the cost of council reform. The 26 councils agreed to meet the bill if it was based on principles of fairness, with the cost for reducing the number of councils to 11 estimated at £118m.Mr Poots told the assembly last year that the £118m cost to fund the process of cutting councils would mean savings of £438m could be made over 25 years. News article taken from here 

At Silverford, we look forward to councils being more involved in wind turbine planning applications. Recently,we had a meeting with Planners and Dungannon Council, regarding a 18m Gaia Wind Turbine  planning application for a prominent local farmer being refused on visual amenity. Despite being highly recommended by the council for approval, the planner still turned the application down, very frustrating for all concerned…

Mr Poots said… “ I believe firmly that PPS18 strikes the right balance between protection of our valuable natural heritage and preservation of the amenity of rural dwellers, whilst at the same time ensuring that the necessary renewable energy infrastructure is put in place to allow us to meet our renewable energy targets,” ….statement taken from here.  Seems that Mr Poots vision for a greener future in Northern Ireland, gets some what diluted at planning level…

At Silverford, a few of our clients small scale wind turbine projects have been halted due to ” Visual Amenity”, which is very frustrating for all concerned…. but the saga still continues, recently in Co.Down local planners came under fire - ” for preventing the development of renewable energy..”

Green Party Westminster candidate Cadogan Enright has slammed the local Planning Service for preventing the development of renewable energy from Sliabh Croob right across the Mournes area. He point out that the National Parks report had recommended in favour of a permissive regime for local farmers and businessmen for wind-turbines, and that planning policy PPS18 was equally in favour. Large numbers of planning refusals based on “visual amenity” were stopping the creation of jobs and blocking new income sources for farmers, businesspeople and householders. Cllr Enright was responding to local renewable energy businesses which have been repeatedly refused planning permission for wind turbines in the face of planning policy PPS18 which was designed to facilitate renewable energy.

Cadogan Enright said, “I have been approached by a number of businesses which are trying to get planning permission for wind turbines where there have been no local objections, but are being refused because of mercurial local interpretation of planning policy by officials in Downpatrick. These businesses are being made to be pay large fees to apply; they then have to wait over 16 months for a response and in the end are being refused permission because of what appears to be a local personal bias against wind turbines in the planning office not found elsewhere in NI. These installations are vital as a means of achieving N.I.’s renewable energy targets, reducing our carbon footprint, creating employment opportunities and developing revenue opportunities for local businesses.”

John Hardy of SEA said, “Even in the rare instances where permission is given, ridiculous height restrictions are being imposed, which render the projects uneconomic. Wind turbines are most efficient at heights of up to 40 metres as recommended in PPS18, yet restrictions are being placed on all applications which limit the height to 15 metres which seriously impacts the ability of the turbine to produce energy”.

Green Westminster Candidate Cadogan Enright said, “If the local planning authority has unilaterally decided not to apply the same rules as the rest of Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland as a whole in regards to wind turbines, then they need to inform the public as to why this is so and tell them not to waste their money making applications. Local politicians from all parties need work together to re-establish normality in planning for renewable energy in the district”….article taken from here

Some of my concerns are regarding resellers/installers of reconditioned- refurbished turbines not offering a support package to the customer, in terms of  servicing,maintenance for the turbine. Only last week i heard of a reseller of these machines, that would happily install a turbine for £150k+, but offer no servicing/maintenance support in house, by of way of fixing the machine if it went wrong!….Apparently it’s a case of ring these guys, if you need it fixed/serviced, which is unbelievable to say the least !  I know the majority of MCS approved small scale turbine distributors/resellers in Northern Ireland will have been manufacture trianed, to offer support long term to the customer, in the event of a breakdown or service. It seems to me, if you buy a used, second hand turbine, you may be booking your service through an agent outside of Ireland.  The next problem i have, is that some of these resellers/installers have no certification or approval from anyone to sell these machines. For example, most domestic turbine (under 50kw) resellers/installers in Northern Ireland are MCS certified, which is great for the industry, MCS gives protection to the consumer in terms of product and service.  So in other words you can spend £15K on a 6kw turbine, and have the protection of MCS, and nothing if you spend £150k + on a second hand machine…

Insure it for losing you money!

The next no-no, is that you cannot insure a second hand, reconditioned / refurbished wind turbine for loss of revenue. So why do i need that you may ask?  Well even if you buy a new turbine, we recommend that you insure it for – lightening strikes – loss of revenue - theft – vandalism etc etc….more info on this soon!  The insurance company that Silverford deal with, would not touch a recon/refurb for loss of revenue protection insurance…on the grounds that - it’s a used 15yr+ old turbine – with a 20yr design life, lack of spare parts that are readily available of the shelf, little or no factory support or service for a turbine that is no longer made, was just a few of their comments. From day one we @ Silverford, said no to selling/installing recon/refurb wind turbines, as the risk was too great, to both the customer and ourselves. So when your bank or lender is holding their hand out for repayments on your recon wind turbine, while you wait to get a part to fix your wind turbine, that by the way, made no revenue from ROC/ Electric Export during that period, and that you didn’t have an insurance policy that would have covered the replacement part, loss of revenue and associated costs like crane hire…it can be a difficult place to be, in an already difficult economic environment.     

So you still want to buy a recon/refurb wind turbine?

In my opinion there are very few companies in Ireland that can offer genuine support, in-house for a recon/refurb turbine. Just Ask ! – Do they build gearboxes in-house or have the capability or infrastructure to do so?  Have direct access to manufacture support ? Are They Certified - Do they have Vestas (or any other manufacture for that matter) Certs to show, that they are actually trained to work on said machine?.

Over the past few months i have pointed quite a few interested recon/refurb turbine clients to Mike Farrell – 00353 87296 7040 (WindTech Ireland). At Silverford, we believe that Mike offers a service that cannot be touched in Ireland – 25yrs in the wind industry, builds and maintains wind farms etc etc. Just ring him and ask him his thoughts on recon/refurb wind turbines….you may need to plug your ears now and then during your conversation with him, with his choice selection of words!….but it will be an honest reflection of the wind industry, and his experiences with wind turbines,and remember a spade is a spade with Mike….leave a voice mail for him if he dosn’t answer straight away, he’s probably stuck 80m up a turbine in Cork!…

Short Term Pain – Long Term Gain!

With buying a recon/refurb turbine, it could be “Short Term Gain – Long Term Pain”, if you get it wrong…and believe me that the chances of getting it wrong are better than getting it right!  With a new turbine, you know where you stand from day one – “Short Term Pain – Long term Gain”. Whisperings from inside sources, are  apparently  suggesting that DETI are going to end 4Rocs on recon/refurb wind turbines…. ( Note: Im sure that your recon/refurb turbine supplier would have made you aware of this roc situation by now ?.. and im sure that in your recon wind turbine supply contract, that you will get your deposit back – if you pull out of the deal, because your business case dosn’t add any longer because the 4 rocs on these turbines has ended!?).  The 4 ROCS for recon/refurb wind turbines is fuelling a dangerous market place for the consumer, as regards to turbine back-up and support for when it goes wrong.  It seems that the lure of £50k – £80k+ annual returns, has put the ‘blinkers’ on a lot of people…  

At  Balmoral Show for example, I seen a few   “Look What You Can Earn From A Refurbished Wind Turbine”  leaflets floating around, which failed to state the price of servicing – every 6/12 months, and that replacement parts may prove difficult to get, and that a large slice of  the revenue earned from the turbine, will be going to the tax man! …maybe there is some irony in the term recon wind turbines…

Well, that’s enough for today, and i did’nt even get started on Planning, Enviromental Impact Studies and Grid Conection for the above wind turbines…which can run to £50k -£100k+

When i get the time, we can look at varoius issues on larger wind turbine planning applications…..

• Ecology. 
• Noise Impact.  
• Visual Impact.
• Soils, Hydrology and Geology.
• Archaeology.
• Engineering and Transport.  
• Landscape Character Areas.
• Topography Information.
• Existing Site Character – Site Photographs.
• Landscape Designations.
• Access, Settlement Pattern and Residential Amenity.
• Wind Turbine Generator Proposals and Site Layout.
• Zone of Theoretical Visibility. 
• Visual Reference Points and Photomontages.