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What is wind generation?

Small-scale wind turbines generate electricity through harnessing the power of the wind. These may be free standing (e.g. on a tall mast) or attached to buildings (e.g. "roof-mounted"). The wind causes the blades to rotate, driving a generator, converting the energy to electricity. This electricity may be consumed by the immediate premises only, or can be linked to the electricity meter, allowing excess or unused electricity to feed into the national grid.

Location is key to the success of the turbine in generating electricity, which is dependent on both the speed and direction of the wind, and as such small-scale turbines are often more suited to rural areas, where buildings are less likely to interfere with air flow.

More information about small-scale wind generation:

Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity. Small systems known as "micro-wind" or "small-wind" turbines can produce electricity to help power the lights and electrical appliances within a typical office or workshop.

40% of all the wind energy in Europe blows over the UK, making it an ideal country for small-scale wind turbines.

How do wind turbines work?
Wind turbines use large blades to catch the wind. When the wind blows the blades are forced round, driving a turbine which generates electricity. The stronger the wind, the more electricity produced.

There are two types of small-scale wind turbine for businesses:

1. Mast mounted: these are free standing and are erected in a suitably exposed position, often around 2.5kW to 6kW
2. Roof mounted: these are smaller than mast mounted systems and can be installed on the roof of a home where there is a suitable wind resource. Often these are around 1kW to 2kW in size.

If your small wind system is connected to the National Grid then you can make money by selling any generated electricity to an electricity supply company.

If the turbine is not connected to the electricity grid then unused electricity can be stored in a battery for use when there is no wind.

The benefits of wind electricity
• Harness a plentiful energy source: in the UK we have 40% of Europe’s total wind energy.
• Cut your carbon footprint: wind electricity is green, renewable energy and doesn’t release any harmful carbon dioxide or other pollutants.
• Cut your electricity bills: wind is free, so once you’ve paid for the initial installation your electricity costs will be reduced.
• Store electricity for a calm day: if your office or workshop isn’t connected to the National Grid you can store excess electricity in batteries and use it when there is no wind.

Is wind electricity suitable for my business?
To tell if a small scale wind turbine is right for your business, there are a few key questions to first consider:

• Are there any large obstacles like buildings, trees or hills near your office or workshop? Small wind turbines work best in exposed locations, without turbulence caused by these type of obstacles
• Is your business in a windy area? To be effective you need an average wind speed of no less than 5m/s.
• Is your business located away from the National Grid? Small-scale wind systems are particularly suitable for use in remote locations where mains electricity is unavailable.
• Do you need planning permission? Small-scale wind systems normally do require permission from your local authority, so check before you install a system.

Making the most of wind electricity
To make the electricity you produce go further:

• invest in energy efficient appliances
• use energy when the wind is blowing - do your laundry on a windy day to take advantage of the free electricity
• charge up your batteries whenever you have excess electricity

Costs and savings

Costs for a roof mounted micro-wind system start at about £1,500. Larger mast mounted systems cost between £11,000 and £19,000, including installation. These provide enough electricity for lighting and appliances in a typical small business office or workshop.

Savings: Recent monitoring of a range of small-scale wind systems has shown that a well sited 2.5kW turbine could save around £380 a year off electricity bills when some generation is exported, and a saving of around 2.6tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.

Maintenance checks are necessary every few years, and a well-maintained turbine should last over 20 years. Battery storage life is typically between 6 and 10 years.

Funding

The Low Carbon Building Programme
Under the UK Government’s Low Carbon Building Programme, grants of up to £2,500 per property are available for the installation of Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified microgeneration technologies by certified installers. The grant covers a range of buildings including households, community organisations, public, private and the non-profit sectors.

For more information about the grant streams and eligibility criteria, or to apply for help with the costs of installing renewable and low carbon technologies - visit the DECC-funded:
Low Carbon Buildings Programme