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• Wind Turbines Home

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• Wind Turbines FAQ

On days or nights when there is no wind to generate power, you will draw electricity from the national grid in the same way as everyone else. This of course is more than offset since you will be generating excess energy most of the time and selling this back to the grid.

It is a prerequisite that wind turbines run safely in all weathers and particularly in high winds. The 10kW Wind Turbine has excellent multiple protection systems, the most important of which is called “passive blade pitching”.

When wind speed increases the force on the blades is increased, which causes those blades to pitch passively due to rotational forces and the force of the wind on the blades. This kicks in from wind speeds of about 10m/s onwards and enables the turbine to continue generating without over- speeding or generating more energy than the system can cope with.

Whatever the speed of the wind, if more energy is produced than the inverter can handle, the electronics are protected by automatic diversion to a dump-load resistor. If you ever need to manually stop the turbine, the pitching system can be controlled by hand from the base of the tower.

The 10kW is a Class II turbine sturdily built with a structural survival wind speed rating of 50m/s (112 mph). Since Hurricane force is only 32m/s, this is more than enough to cope with even the most severe conditions.

Evoco turbines are designed to operate at relatively low rotation speed (Rated 120RPM) This coupled with noise-controlling blade aerodynamics enables the units to be operate with minimal noise in average wind conditions.

The 10kW wind turbine features noise-controlling blade aerodynamics and operate at a relatively low rotation speed (rated 120RPM). This allows the turbines to operate with minimal noise in normal wind conditions.

Comprehensive noise reports will be available upon completion of MCS testing. We recommend that minimum separation distances between turbine and neighbouring property is between 150 – 200m.

No it can not. EEC regulations on electromagnetic emissions stipulate that wind turbines must not interfere with any electrical equipment and the 10kW fully complies.

No. We have several wind turbine installations on sites containing pets and all types of livestock with no problems – nor have there been any adverse reports from elsewhere that we have heard about.

A grid connection system allows your appliances to use energy generated by the turbine before drawing any power from the grid. Power is fed directly into your main distribution board on the consumption side of your meter. Therefore if you need more power than is currently being generated any shortfall is taken from the grid in the usual way, whereas any surplus is exported to the grid and purchased from you by your electricity supplier.

Grid system regulations state that in the event of a power cut the turbine must stop generating to ensure the safety of workmen repairing the grid or an electrician working in your house. The 10kW turbine system is automatically tied to the grid, so fulfils this requirement. Backup-power solutions are available on request

G-83 and G59 are the electrical regulations which apply In the UK. The 10kW turbine system complies fully with all regulations.

In the UK, G-83 and G59 are the electrical regulations which apply. Evoco's turbine systems are fully compliant with these regulations – your installer will give further advice on making the connection.

Single Phase

You can connect the 10kw turbine to a single phase line, but permission is required from the local DNO. As your installer, Ploughcroft can take care of this. Usually you will need a G59 replay which provides a higher protection level for the grid and ensures your turbine disconnects if there is a power failure. The extra works will cost about £1500 which is a less expensive than installing a new three phase supply.

Three Phase

The 10kW wind turbine was designed to fit mainly on a three phase supply, which requires no permission from the authorities. Connection is made using a G-83 relay which is an integral part of the inverter.

We do not normally recommend installing your own wind turbine foundations. If you have the confidence and skills to do this competently, we can provide the necessary specifications and instructions. However, the Ploughcroft warranty would exclude installation and any problems caused by poor installation. The installation itself, however, must be performed by a qualified installer and you will need that installer to agree to take responsibility for your foundations and validate any warranty he may provide on the installation quality.

This is possible but we would not recommend it. However, be aware that this would void the warranty and make you ineligible for grant assistance and other benefits, since only an MCS approved installer should complete this job.

The installation takes place in two phases of about 2 days each:

Stage 1 – Preparation and installation of the foundations
Stage 2 – Install the turbine and electrical connection – commissioning

Please note that about 14 days must be allowed after stage 1 for the foundation to cure, so the overall job can normally be completed within three weeks.

At the moment, all wind turbine installations in the UK need full planning permission. However, most local authority Planning Departments are very supportive and new guidelines obligate planners to encourage renewable applications wherever reasonable. There is of course a considerable difference between a small localised Ploughcroft wind turbine and the giant turbines we see on the moors etc.

Ploughcroft will advise and guide you through the planning process. This should normally be decided within about two months following your initial application.

We suggest that you check this with your own council as costs vary between local planning offices, but £300 - £500 is the usual range of charges.

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