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WIND ENERGY
Small-scale onshore wind (<10MW)
Intro
Modern wind turbines generate electricity through the action of the wind on aerofoil blades. Most of these are land-based and can either be connected to an electricity grid or be non-grid connected, with some form of back up or storage. Wind energy can also be used to generate heat and mechanical power.
UK wind energy at a glance
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| Projects |
| Turbines |
| Megawatts |
| Generation |
| Homes Equivalent |
| CO2 reductions |
| 72 |
| 945 |
| 493.4 |
| 1.29TWh |
| 323,803 |
| 1,340,417 t |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about wind energy. The answers are generally short. The British Wind Energy Association has also produced a list of factsheets.
Constraints to development and site selection
Developers of onshore wind energy have indicated that The Best Practice Guidelines produced by BWEA provide a framework of issues which should be addressed clearly when selecting a site and producing an environmental statement. The Guidelines are intended to assist the development of appropriate wind energy projects in the UK. They result from consultations with the RSPB, Scottish Natural Heritage, Countryside Council for Wales and many other organisations including international environment groups, local authorities and specialist agencies.
The British Wind Energy Association Best Practice Guidelines can be downloaded from the BWEA web-site
Clear guidance is given on the environmental and planning issues that should be considered for wind energy projects and the dialogue that should be undertaken. They are directed at wind energy companies, but are also relevant to others such as local authorities and local communities.
These issues are summarised as follows:
Landscape classification
Any landscape designations including published landscape assessments which cover a particular area are taken into account. Information on the relevant Landscape Designations in the area can be obtained from the relevant Local Planning Authority. Information on National Parks can be obtained from the relevant National Park Authority.
Visual effects
The visibility of the proposed site and the potential visibility of the proposed development from important public viewpoints should be assessed. Potential intervisibility with other windfarms in the area should form part of the assessment.
Proximity to dwellings
Wind turbines should not be located so close to domestic dwellings that they unreasonably affect the amenity of such properties through noise, shadow flicker, visual domination or reflected light.
Ecology
Developers should take account of existing information relating to both ecological designations, which cover a particular area, and particular protected species that are found in the area either year round or seasonally by carrying out a site survey. Information should also be included on bird migration routes. Information on ecological designations and protected species can be obtained from 'English Nature' in England, 'Countryside Council for Wales' in Wales and 'Scotish Natural Heritage' in Scotland.
Archaeological / historical heritage
The existence of listed buildings, conservation areas and archaeological sites may have an influence on the acceptability of a particular site. Information on Scheduled Ancient Monuments can be obtained from CADW in Wales, English Heritage in England and Historic Scotland in Scotland.
Recreational uses
Any areas on, or close to, the site identified in development plans for recreational use will need to be considered, these should include national trails, important public rights of way and bridleways. The key issues are to identify any potential significant impact on people's enjoyment of the countryside.
Telecommunications
Microwave, TV, radar or radio transmissions may be affected by the presence of wind turbines. All related communication agencies need to be contacted to assess whether there are any situations where this might occur.
Civil and military airports
For sites close to airports, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or relevant airport authority needs to be consulted.
Ministry of Defence
The existence of Ministry of Defence firing ranges, radar or communications equipment should be identified for consideration.
Source: BWEA Best Practice Guidelines
In addition to the best practice guidelines, other factors which are taken into account by developers include:
A good wind resource (above 6.5m/s at a chosen hub height)
Proximity to grid
Avoidance of Nationally designated areas and keeping away from them where possible. These include:
National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Heritage Coasts
Special Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI)
National Nature Reserves and Marine Nature Reserves
Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance)
Biosphere Reserves designated under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme
World Heritage Sites, a designation inscribed by UNESCO
Special Protection Areas (SPA)
Special Area of Conservation (SPA)
Sites of Archaeological Monuments (SAMs)
To a lesser extent local landscape areas and local nature reserves
Good access to site. This is partially dependent on size of project and is of less importance for larger projects
Avoidance of siting turbines too close to residential properties. Some developers are advocating keeping a minimum distance of 600m from residential properties. Guidance laid down in PPG22 advocates keeping a minimum distance of 350-400m away from residential properties.
Hydrology, ecology and archaeology
Local planning policies
Local plan designations
Of the sites that are targeted, the landowners co-operation plays a significant role. Accordingly, a number of developers have advertised for landowners wishing to have turbines on their land and a number of these with suitable sites.
A community developer has also taken into account the proximity of the site to an end user wishing to purchase electricity and suitability of location for project to be used as educational resource.
Calculate the average estimated Wind speed at your site
The Department of Trade and Industry wind speed database contains estimates of the annual mean wind speed throughout the UK. This may be useful to anyone wanting to get a rough idea of the wind resource in any particular area
Windspeed Data
For more general windspeed data contact the Meteorological Office
www.metoffice.com
For more specific information Tel: 08453 000300.
Wind Energy project case studies
Bro-dyfi case study
In September 1999 the initial idea for a small community-owned, community-led wind turbine in the Dulas Valley was mooted. After two years of struggling with complicated financial spreadsheets, ironing out technical details, selecting an appropriate small-scale turbine and the detailed requirements of the planning process, it's now possible to see the project taking shape. The project is currently under construction and the 75kW second-hand Vestas wind turbine, located on the hill above the Centre for Alternative Technology , will be commissioned by the end of June 2002.
Baywind - Jerry’s story: One man’s struggle for the right to live in a green household.
Jerry Stephens is an engineer and a Director of Baywind Energy Co-operative who lives with his wife Katy in a small village in the Lake District National Park . They are both keen on energy conservation and had an idea to install a small wind turbine in their garden to supply their home with hot water.
Wind Energy Co-operatives
Middelgrunden Energy Co-operative
The largest offshore wind farm in the world has started generating electricity. Located on a shoal bank 2km outside Copenhagen Harbour, the Middelgrunden Wind Farm is also the largest wind energy co-operative in the world...
Baywind Renewable Energy Co-operative
The Baywind Energy Co-operative was the first UK co-operative to own wind turbines. Its objective is to promote the development of renewable energy and, at the same time, to promote domestic demand-side energy management. To assist with the latter it is established the Energy Conservation Trust. Baywind began by establishing an Industrial and Provident Society in 1996 in order to facilitate community wind investments in Cumbria. A Board of Directors was formed from seven initial members of the Ulverston and Barrow local communities. Between September 1996 and February 1999, over £1.9 million was raised in share capital. Returns to investors are based on the level of profit gained by the sale of electricity from the turbines. Baywind offers a minimum investment option of £300 and a maximum of £20,000. Baywind Energy Cooperative currently owns six wind turbines in Cumbria with a rated capacity of 3.1MW.
Further information
British Wind Energy Association www.bwea.com
Danish wind turbine manufacturers association: http://www.windpower.dk
European Wind Energy Association www.ewea.org
Windpower monthly, news magazine www.windpower-monthly.com
Centre for Alternative Technology Wind Power course www.cat.org.uk
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