What is Onshore Wind Turbine?
Wind turbines convert the wind’s kinetic energy into electricity. The output depends on the strength of the wind, the size of the blades, their height above the ground, topography, and the proximity of buildings.
Additionally, ground mounted systems can be more efficient as they can be strategically located and pitched and oriented at optimum angles for solar gain.
This means that it is possible for you to generate more electricity than a roof system of around the same size.
How does Onshore Wind Turbine works?
Average wind speed is naturally a very important factor in the viability of a wind turbine. Sites where the average wind speed exceeds 6m/s (13.4mph) are likely to be most suitable.
Wind turbines are classified according to the average wind speed they are designed to operate in. A wind speed classification of 3 for instance is designed to run at lower speeds, they have large rotors to capture as much energy as possible from lower wind speeds.
A turbine with a wind speed classification of 1 is designed for higher wind speeds and typically will have shorter blades to handle the increased loads, they are usually more expensive.
How is Onshore Wind Turbine applied to a building?
After the desktop feasibility stage onsite wind monitoring is essential to determine the exact annual average wind speed and the turbulence intensity. This ensures optimum turbine can be specified to ensure long term, reliable operation.
Wind turbines can be controversial in some locations and engagement with the planning authorities and local communities at an early stage is recommended.
Obtaining planning for wind turbine developments can be complex and OnGen’s team can help with this.
Some of the factors that will need to be considered in determining the suitability of a site for wind, in addition to the previously mentioned wind resource will be proximity to sensitive receptors such as residential settlements, airports and environmentally sensitive areas.
Detailed surveys are often required by the planning authorities to understand the impacts on landscape designations, ornithology, and the potential impact of noise. Visual impact is also often an area of contention.
Many of the impacts of wind turbines can be mitigated through careful design based on the stakeholder engagement and survey data to support the impact assessment work.