Wind Energy

Electricity generated from wind energy can be categorized into three categories;

      i.        Commerical Wind Farm Developments (500 KW – 1000 MW)

     ii.        Industrial Wind Turbine Installations (13 KW – 500 KW)

   iii.         Micro Renewable Wind turbine Development (1KW – 12 KW)

Commerical Wind Farms

Waterford County Council have developed a wind energy map of the county which zones the county into 4 strategic areas for wind farm development, which includes;

1.    Strategic Areas

2.    Preferred Areas

3.    Areas open to consideration

4.    No go areas

Factors which contribute to the viability of commercial wind farms includes:

•    The level export capacity available and cost of accessing the electrical grid.
•    The site must meet Local Authority planning criteria and be located with a zoned area, sites can be clarified by examining the wind map of Waterford and through correspondence with county council planning staff.
•    The site must be significantly exposed to the prevailing wind with typically average wind speeds of greater than 7 meters per second required at the relevant turbine heights. This can be double checked by examining the SEAI, wind speed maps and through correspondence with wind turbine suppliers etc.
•    There must be adequate space to locate the turbine on farm land / forestry.

Wind Energy Strategy

Wind Energy Map (Click to enlarge)

Wind Energy Strategy (word .doc, 39 kbs)

Industrial Wind Turbine Installations (13 KW – 500 KW)

Renewable Energy Generators that are above micro renewable size (12–500 kW) and where the Maximum Export Capacity (MEC) is less than twice the Maximum Import Capacity (MIC) are considered Auto-producers. Auto-producers are CHP or renewable installations where the majority of electricity generated is intended for use on-site. Auto-producers can avail of an export tariff this is known as a power purchase agreement and is agreed upon between the auto-producer and their energy supplier. The tariff rates offered vary with electrical supplier and technology exporting to the electrical grid. It is more cost effective for an auto-producer to use electricity generated to replace imported electricity.

Factors which contribute to the viability of Industrial Wind Turbine Installations (13 KW – 500 KW) includes

• The exposure of a site to the prevailing winds is critical to ensuring the maximum generated output from the wind turbine installation.
• Adequate distance must be maintained from obstructions such as buildings or trees. These cause turbulent air which reduces efficiency and adversely affects maintenance costs and turbine life span.
• The site must be easily accessible for large machinery such as a digger or mobile crane to install the turbine.
• It must also be possible to route an armoured underground electrical cable from the turbine to the main electrical distribution panel. The greater the distance between them, the more expensive the cable and installation cost.
• The electrical demand of the auto exporter must be significant in order to justify the feasibility of such an installation.

Micro Renewable Wind turbine Development (1KW – 12 KW)

The rating for a micro generation wind turbine cannot exceed 6KW for a single phase electrical connection and 11KW for a three phase connection. For businesses / home owners / farmers micro generation wind turbines offer the potential to generate electricity on site. A smart meter records the level of imported / exported electricity. Under current grid operation, any unused or excess electricity can be sold to the ESB. The current tariff rate is € 0.19 per KWh for the first 3,000 KWh and € 0.09 per KWh above the initial level.  The qualification criteria for the micro generation scheme are limited but can be clarified by the technology suppliers. The economical justification is on a case by case basis and is relative to the exposure of the site.

Factors which contribute to the viability of Micro Renewable Wind Turbine (1KW – 12 KW) includes

• The level of exposure of a site to the wind resource.
• The level of imported electricity that can be displaced by the generated electricity from the Micro Turbine.
• Micro renewable planning exemptions including SI 83, 2007 and SI 235, 2008
• The warranty / maintenance offered by the turbine supplier.
• Adequate distance from obstructions such as trees / buildings etc.
• The site must be accessable for mounting of turbine and installation of ground works.