Wind Power for Domestic and Small Business Applications FAQWhat is microgeneration? Around the world the definition of microgeneration can vary. Microgeneration is classified by ESB Networks as grid connected electricity generation up to a maximum rating of 1. W when connected to the three phase grid (4. V). The vast majority of domestic and agricultural customers are connected at single phase (2.

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V) and for these customers to be classified as microgenerators the maximum rating permitted is 6k. W. These ratings are in line with Irish conditions prescribed in European standard EN5. In Ireland customers with microgenerators can avail of a stream lined, one page connection process (using form NC6) which will be described elsewhere in these FAQs. Handshaking Signal For Rs232 Serial Communication C.

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Customers who exceed the classification must engage in a more demanding application and connection process. However ESB Networks intend to make the connection process for units up to 5. W less onerous than the process required for larger generators. A microgenerator may use any one of the following technologies to generate electricity: Wind turbine. Photovoltaic panels (also known as solar electric panels)Micro- hydro (scaled down version of hydro- electricity station)Micro- CHP (fuelled by bio or fossil fuels)Two or more of the technologies may be combined to create a hybrid system. Domestic and small commercial wind microgeneration involves using a small- scale wind turbine system to harness energy from the wind.

In general it is at its most competitive and cost effective in remote, exposed areas or for charging batteries on boats, caravans and holiday cabins i. An inverter is necessary for a number of reasons. One of its functions is to convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) which is the type of power utensils and appliances demand i. Direct current is outputted by the controller which is in turn supplied with power from the turbine. The inverter is also necessary to synchronise the output of the turbine with the electricity being drawn from the grid to ensure the occupant sees no interruption in their supply.

Back to Top. How are wind microgenerators used to capture energy? Two main types of system can be utilised: 1.

Stand- Alone Systems. Domestic turbines are often used in stand- alone power systems that are designed to charge a battery bank. The most common application for this set up is in cases where a grid connection is not an option due to a prohibitive cost or remote location. Grid- connected Systems. In this type of system, the output of the wind turbine is connected to the existing mains electricity supply to the home via a controller and inverter. Excess electricity generated can be sent onto the grid while electricity can be drawn from the grid when the turbine is not producing enough electricity to meet your needs.

ESB Customer Supply offers to domestic microgenerators a 9c/k. Wh payment for exported electricity. Electric Ireland is offering to all domestic electricity customers of all suppliers a further 1. Wh for the first 3,0.

Wh export in each year. This offer is open to the first 4,0. A third arrangement employed by some users of small turbines is to heat water directly from the turbine and not connect the turbine to the electricity supply to the premises or to the grid. The energy can then be stored as heat to be used on demand if the storage capacity is sufficient and very well insulated. Heating applications for microgenerators will be discussed elsewhere in these FAQs.

Back to Top. What kind of location is suitable for a small or micro- scale wind turbine? Many residential areas are not suitable for wind turbines as buildings and trees shade the wind and create turbulence which can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of a turbine considerably. Generally speaking, the ideal location is on top of a high mast on a south westerly facing hill with gently sloping sides surrounded by clear countryside which is free from obstructions such as trees, houses or other buildings. Here the wind flows relatively smoothly and steadily enabling it to drive wind turbines with greater efficiency. Wind turbines operate less efficiently in areas where obstacles interfere with wind flows. It is very important to understand and account for these reduced efficiencies when considering the use and economics of wind turbines in such areas.

However, such areas, with less than ideal aspect and local conditions, may, with a good quality turbine system, have a sufficient wind resource to make an installation worthwhile. The predominant and most energetic winds in Ireland typically come from the southwest and west, so it is especially important that there are few or no obstacles to the turbine in these directions. Ideally, the turbine should be 1. As a rule of thumb, a wind generator should be installed no closer to an obstacle than at least ten times the object's height, and on the down wind side. The preferred distance is twenty times the height of the object. Turbine siting will be discussed in depth elsewhere in these FAQs. Back to Top. How can I find out if I live in an area which might be suitable for harnessing the wind?

Commercial wind farms use expensive calibrated wind measuring devices (anemometers) and data loggers to measure actual wind speeds for at least 1. Met . This type of wind study is not a viable option for small scale customers as it would increase the cost of the project disproportionately.

But there are companies who will carry out a scaled down version of such a study for customers. These companies are often independent and provide a report to their customers which can be presented to suppliers of the turbines. Opting to use a non- calibrated anemometer for such a study may not give you any more accurate information than might be gleaned by a trained and competent site assessor. The power in the wind is proportional to the cube of the wind speed so an inaccurate wind speed measuring device can lead to a large error in estimating power output.

An error of 1. 0% in the wind measurement leads to a 3. If you have access to the internet the first port of call could be the wind atlas on the SEAI website. A CD- Rom of the wind atlas can be purchased from SEAI REIO's online bookshop. Using the CD and free trial GIS software from Pitney Bowes it is possible to estimate average wind speeds for your location by inputting GPS or grid co- ordinates.

Wind speed and thus the power in the wind in your location is the single most important factor in the viability of a wind turbine. The wind atlas will only be able to show you if your area is windy or not when compared to other areas in Ireland. The lowest height currently available on the wind atlas is 5. The wind atlas will not give you an accurate estimate for the wind speed at small scale heights because local and ground conditions impact greatly on wind speed. A site assessor can use mathematics to estimate the wind speeds at the height of a turbine using the wind speed reading at 5. A site visit by a trained, competent site assessor should be part of the service provided by turbine suppliers and installers.

It is not possible to assess a site fully by using the SEAI wind atlas alone or in combination with Google Earth or aerial pictures. Being on the ground is the only means by which a full appreciation of the site's suitability and viability for a micro wind turbine can be estimated. The turbine supplier may charge a fee for the site assessment to cover their travel expenses and time. This fee may be subtracted from the price of the turbine should the sale be completed. It is impossible to predict exactly the average wind speed and thus the output of a wind turbine at a given site.

However, with a thorough resource assessment, site assessment and independent test reports for the turbine it is possible to estimate a range within which the turbine should be expected to perform. Back to Top. Describe a typical good candidate site for this type of investment?