Wind turbine open days

[SpectrumEnergySystems]

Hi everyone,

We're a company who specialise in the supply and installation of Solar PV and wind turbines and we are wondering if anyone would be interested in attending some wind turbine open days?

We're looking at the following:
1. 10kW Tozzi Nord TN535 wind turbine - Doncaster, Kent or Lincoln (or all).
2. 50kW Endurance wind turbine - Congleton or Newcastle Emlyn, Wales (or both).
3. Remanufactured V27 wind turbine - South Brent Devon.

Please let me know if this is of interest so we can gauge interest prior to announcing dates.

Thanks,
Michelle

 

[DrWazzock]

Open days can be useful but there is no point going to one if your wind speed is too low.

Might it be better to filter prospective customers on windspeed viability and location before asking them to attend an open day?

 

[SpectrumEnergySystems]

Thanks for your comments DrWazzock.

Each wind turbine is manufactured to work at different wind speeds which is why we currently offer a wide range of new and remanufactured turbines.

The Tozzi Nord TN535 10kW wind turbine (which is on my list above) was introduced to the UK last year and is proving extremely popular as it has been manufactured to perform at low wind speeds. On sites with a wind speed of just 5m/s the turbine will easily generate 35,000kWh and has a cut in wind speed of just 2.5m/s.

Looking at the DECC website, https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/annual-mean-wind-speed-map, there aren't many areas in the UK which have an annual average mean wind speed below 5m/s at 25m.

You are correct in your thinking, it probably isn't worthwhile attending an open day if your wind speeds are too low, however with all the new turbines coming to the market (like the Tozzi), there will be a solution.

When we receive a turbine enquiry we have a variety of procedures & checks in place prior to progressing.

 

[Bob]

[QUOTELooking at the DECC website, https://restats.decc.gov.uk/cms/annual-mean-wind-speed-map, there aren't many areas in the UK which have an annual average mean wind speed below 5m/s at 25m][/QUOTE]

You surely are not relying on those figures, they are only a rough guide. For budget purposes you need to knock at least 1 M/S of Noabl and 20% off manufacturers stated output at your estimated windspeeds.

I am willing to be proved wrong but at 5 m/s windspeed (after using the above calculation) post April 1st 2014 a turbine would not be viable on that site.

As for the TN535 10KW Turbine it has a cut out at 16 M/S which I reckon is far to low, a decent breezy day and your Turbine would not be able to produce

 

[DrWazzock]

It seems to me that your windspeed depends on which website you type your postcode into. Some have me down as 4.3 m/s which is 10 mph, yet half my post code area is mature forest, the other half is open country with a small hill or two. Doesn't inspire confidence. Only way I think is to put up an anemometer and see what it really is. I know if I want to go spraying you can guarantee the wind is more than 10 mph and most of this winter spent wrestling with barn doors and cutting out fallen trees.

 

[DrWazzock]

I am an engineer as it happens. I am expert at blowing other folks cash on engineering projects but I am a bit more cautious with my own. How much would a kit cost for self installation for say 50 kW, including grid interface hardware but excluding cable and foundation?

I think the planning costs and grid connection cost would cripple it for me though. Any ballpark figures for these? We already have three phase 50 kw transformer solely for our premises.

Is the generator an asynchronous induction generator?. I presume it is and works like an induction motor in the way that once it gets above grid speed it puts more power into the grid the more it slips ahead but cuts out when below grid speed. Or is it a DC generator with an inverter?

How do these things come down for maintenance? Is the tower hinged?