Wind Turbine System - Are they worth it ?

***Dave*** · 23-12-2006, 18:19

Noticed this in B&Q today @ £1500 -

Quote:

Product Information
The Windsave wind turbine delivers up to 1KW of supplementary energy synchronised and adjusted to supply directly into your household power circuits, using Windsave's unique technology the appliances in the house will absorb energy from the turbine before using grid voltage. This could contribute to a potential energy saving for the average home whilst reducing the household CO2 emissions.
Product Features
Brand: Windsave
Other Information

* AC Input (Mains): 230 Volts (nominal) ac, @ 50Hz
* Power Input (Mains): 6 Watt (Power consumption of the Plug n Save ™ unit in "standby" mode)
* Rated Power Output: 1kW @ rated wind speed
* Rated Wind Speed: 12.5m/s
* Cut-in Wind Speed: 3.5 to 5 m/s @ hub height
* Cut-out Wind Speed: 14 m/s@ hub height
* Reference Extreme Wind Speed: 35 m/s @ hub height
* Wind speed figures assume a steady value, as gusts to this figures will not always provide maximum output
* Operating Temperature Range, Generator: - 15C through + 40C at altitudes < 1000m above sea level
* Weight Generator System: 25kgs excluding support pole and brackets
* Weight, Plug n Save ™: 11kgs
* Dimensions - Generator Assembly: 320mm long x 150mm wide x 110mm deep support shaft
* Swept Area, Blade Assembly: 2.4m sq
* Swept Diameter: Blade Assembly: 1.75m
* Dimensions: Plug n Save ™: 535mm long x 315mm wide: 130mm deep
* Noise, Generator System: 52 dBA 5m behind turbine @ 7m/s gusting
* Noise, Generator System: 33 dBA 5m behind turbine @ 5m/s gusting
* Operating Speed Range of Blades: 100 - 900 rpm (useful power output range)
* Expected Safe Life: 10 years (depended upon actual conditions the system has been subjected to)
* This system is CE marked and conforms to all BS and EN legislation
* This product is not available for self install, you will be contacted on purchase of this item regarding installation

From looking at the spec it will produce 1KW/h with wind at 26mph. From my calcs at 9p a KW/h that will take 16,666 hrs to pay for itself, which even if you say 6 hrs wind on avg a day, would take 2,777 days, or 7 years. The turbine has a life span of 10 years .

sejanus · 23-12-2006, 19:02

My guess is that the figures are worse than that. If you don't live at the top of a hill you probably average 3 hours a day at 25MPH or faster.

Mind you, I don't think these things need to cost so much. I worked for a major Telco a little while back and they were paying around £250 for 500 watt turbines to stick on transceiver masts. All right, they were buying lots of them but then, so are B&Q.

**Dabhand16** · 23-12-2006, 21:59

I don't think there will be much time (on average) that the wind will be at the required speed to make it viable. 26 mph does not sound like a lot, but it is quite a bit more than a stiff breeze.

Forget it and buy another lens.

P-E · 23-12-2006, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabhand16

Forget it and buy another lens.

***Dave*** · 24-12-2006, 07:13

I can see you are from the Jeremy Clarkson school of reckoning

**Dabhand16** · 24-12-2006, 13:48

You know it makes sense.

Rob Barron · 24-12-2006, 22:08

Wind turbines are still in their early stages of developing technology and I am sure we will have more powerful ones very soon. Wind is an entirely matural resource, will never run out and doesn't create any pollution at all. I personally believe the more we can harness the power of the wind and waves the better.

Do they do a wind-powered Canon 30D? <g>

Cheers,
Rob