LARGE WIND TURBINES
(20kW to 500kW+) for farms, large houses, schools, public buildings, industry etc.
Altergen can provide a complete package for large scale wind energy projects.
Farms throughout the UK, Europe and the US are turning towards large wind turbines to produce a large proportion or all of their electricity requirements, selling electricity back to the Grid is another way to maximise the nutural wind resources available on open farmland. Renewable "green" environmentally friendly energy can be produced without compromising valuable farmland. 
Wind turbines, appropriately sited, are the renewable technology that 'pay back' the fastest, they can be so viable that many are installed solely for revenue, many organisations sell all the electricity they produce back to 'the grid'.
Wind power provides on-site generation for individual buildings or organisations - excess power being sold to the grid when not needed. Power utilised on site replaces grid power purchased at the highest price and therefore the particular turbine installed is usually based on power consumption requirements. The Feed in Tariff makes wind power more cost effective with payments being made for every kW exported back to the grid.
Prior to installation several assessments need to be made including a feasibility study. The complete process from pre-feasibility to full feasibility, detailed design, planning and grant applications, supply, installation and maintenance is carried out leaving the client with a turnkey solution.
Should a problem arise at any stage of the process, the installation can be halted without incurring unnecessary expense.
Pre-feasibility
A pre-feasibility study determines whether there is any possibility of development. Proximity to housing, aerodromes, wind resource including local terrain, power consumption patterns and electricity connection capacity are all investigated. If the study results in no insurmountable barriers being met, a feasibility study can commence.
Feasibility study
As well as looking in detail at several aspects of the pre-construction process the feasibility study produces a checklist for the complete project. The pre-construction process includes:
- Accurate Wind resource estimation
- Detailed assessment of total power consumption to calculate the economics of the project
- Calculating the optimum size and location for the turbine
- Consideration of the effects on local interests such as air traffic agencies, telecoms providers, local business and local community/households.
- A pre-planning discussion with the local planning authority is normally done at this stage to decide on the terms of the planning application including an environmental impact assessment and community consultation
- Examination of likely local ecological effects.
- Examination of electrical connection, site access and site geology.
- Estimate of total project costs
- Defining the project milestones
- Presentation of all aspects of the project including costs, any risks and ROI.
Planning
A planning application is produced which may include:
- The management of the production of an environmental impact assessment (if required) and
- A community consultation process
A successful application signals the start of the construction phase of the project.
Detailed design
The next stage is to undertake detailed design of the wind turbine installation. The purpose of this stage is to produce a document and drawings that enables the installation engineers to construct the turbine that meets all regulations and conditions that may be set by the local authority and power distribution network operator. The detailed design briefly includes the following:
- Undertake a geotechnical survey to enable structural calculations for the design of the foundations
- Produce drawings of the turbine, foundation and cable runs to the point of connection
- Apply for distribution netwok operator to connect whilst incorporating any requirements for circuit protection into the electrical systems design
- Consider any other requirements such as lightning protection, access for maintenance, etc
Construction
Having undertaken the pre-construction phase the task of installing and connecting a wind turbine is a relatively simple process. Foundation installation takes around 3 days with turbine installation and testing being complete in 2 days.
Maintenance
Wind turbines require regular maintenance to ensure safe operation and service life is achieved. Perpetual Energy includes a full maintenance package with all of our developments.
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