Small Wind Turbines and Home Domestic Wind Turbine Kits

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Home Wind Turbines

The "free" energy source is, of course, the wind itself, there are considerations to be taken into account here, the geographical location in the UK, (Some locations are windier than others around the UK), you can check the annual speed in your area by using the DTI's interactive windspeed database, you will require to enter a grid reference for your proposed location of the turbines. The average speeds for the given location are then displayed.

In general terms, you will need an AMWS (annual mean wind speed) of at least 4 m/s to be able to generate a reasonable amount of energy, and ideally in excess of 4.5 m/s.

 Domestic Wind Turbine In The Urban Environment

It is not recommended to install a turbine on a building, particularly in an urban environment;

• Increased turbulence is likely, resulting in higher stresses on the trap, and also lower energy capture for any given wind speed.
• There is a likelyhood of a greater number of people living and/or working close to the installation, therefore increased margins of safety need to be applied, and the noise generated by the trap must be lowered.
• Extra precautions may need to be taken to limit the transmission of vibrations into the structure of the building.
• The average wind speed in a town or city environment will be much less than the UK national database (NOABL) suggests, and thus will significantly reduce the annual energy capture rate.

Domestic turbine generators are more suitable in rural locations, where wind speeds are greater and higher operational efficiencies are sustainable. Again, wind turbines mounted on buildings is not advisable, the usual installation comprises of the trap mounted on either a guyed tower or free standing tower. Tower mounted traps generally are not so prone to turbulence created by nearby trees or buildings.

Small Scale Electricity Generation

Wind turbines generate their power by rotating a permanent magnet generator inside of them which in turn can generate single or three phase AC power at the frequency of the trap's rotation. This power from the generator is at the wrong voltage to be connected to the national grid, but also, as the wind speed changes so does the rotational speed of the machine, and therefore the frequency of the power generated. The power from the generator has to be converted to DC (Direct Current) and then fed into an inverter unit to convert the voltage and maintain it at 230VAC and 50Hz, this complies with the local UK grid system. The power generated will supply your own property, saving you money on your electricity utility bill. The excess energy your trap generates, e.g. on windy days or at night, is "spilled over" to the National Grid and your local electricity supplier pays you for the amount you supply through a metering system.

To charge your electricity supplier for any energy that you export to the grid, you require to have a bi-directional electricity meter fitted which will meter both when you buy (import) and sell (export) electricity. To claim your sale of Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) you will also require a ROC meter, this meter will keep track of all the energy your turbine generates, irrespective of it being utilised by your home or business, or exported to the grid. The normal output for a domestic wind turbine is around 5KW, larger turbines generate up to 20KW if your power demand is greater.

There are a growing number of UK suppliers of small wind turbines and informative sites on the subject. It is even possible to build a DIY wind trap to generate home electricity. We have listed some websites below which can provide further information:

See also PV & Solar Panels for renewable electricity generation.

Greenphase UK Environmental Guide To Alternative Technology & Green Lifestyle.

Micropower The UK body representing micropower or microgeneration industries committed to developing home based energy generation solutions.

Segen Authorised distributor and installer for the Iskra AT5-1 5kW, Skystream 1.8kW and Westwind 20kW small wind turbines.

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