MISSION

Renewables

Intro

Wind

Wind energy resources In the UK we have a large potential wind resource. Although we have 40% of Europe's total wind energy resource, it remains largely untapped, currently meeting only 0.5% of our electricity requirements. This is expected to increase to at least 5% by 2010.

Small variations in wind speed can result in large changes in potential energy output. For example, turbines at a site with an average wind speed of 8 metres per second (m/s) should produce 80% more electricity than the same turbines on a site where the average wind speed is 6m/s.

Individual turbines vary in size and power output from a few hundred watts to 2-3 megawatts (as a guide, an electrical kettle uses approximately 1,000 watts or 1 kilowatt).

Siting
Wind speed also increases with height. So it is best to have the turbine high on a mast or tower. The ideal siting is a smooth-top hill with a flat, clear exposure, free from excessive turbulence and local obstructions such as large trees, houses or other buildings. Knowledge of the local wind resource is critical to designing a wind energy system and predicting output. Where output is less critical, Meteorological Office data, other monitoring or even local knowledge could be used.