Harnessing wind energy for domestic use

Renewable energy is a key phrase for the 21st century. In essence any form of power that is obtained from natural sustainable sources is described as renewable. However, unlike finite fossil fuels that produce unwanted side effects, such as carbon and methane emissions when being converted to usable energy, harvesting renewable energy has no detrimental effect on the environment.

Wind power is a renewable energy that is abundant throughout the UK. It is simple to harness that power and convert it to usable electricity in a home setting by using a domestic wind turbine. Fitted to your home or in an adjacent location a domestic wind turbine must have a rotor diameter of at least five metres to fulfil all the power needs of a modern home. Unfortunately, few UK properties can accommodate such a large set of rotors but smaller versions exist; most commonly two metres in diameter allowing for the provision of 500 - 700 KWh per year towards the average home power consumption of 4,500KWh per year. Providing between a fifth to a quarter of all the domestic energy needed such a wind turbine can lead to an annual saving of up to £300 per year on the average household power bill.

However, those figures only apply if the turbine is fitted in a windy location. Some areas of the country are simply not suitable for domestic wind turbines due to an absence of sufficient and powerful enough winds. They would just not be a viable option. The best way to find out whether you live in suitable location is to visit the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) website and check your local wind speeds on the NOABL database. If your location proves suitable then a company that specialises in the installation of Small Wind systems will be able to help you find the best solution for your domestic situation. Alternatively, you could try major DIY outlets for a cost-effective solution as many offer 1Kw turbines for under £2,000. If that cost still seems too high for you to be interested then the BWEA website has a page on how to build your own wind turbine for significantly less.

It’s not just owner occupiers that are interested in harnessing wind power. Berwickshire Housing Association installed 1.5 kW wind turbines on three of their properties in Scotland for a trial period. They believe that making a commitment to provide affordable housing shouldn’t just concentrate on rental costs but also the domestic utility bills. As well as making it more cost-effective for residents the Association are also achieving their corporate aims of making a positive contribution towards protecting the environment by reducing their residents’ reliance on fossil fuels. The adoption of renewable energy systems also helps both residents and the Association tackle any issues of fuel poverty by providing cheaper alternatives.

Providing the trial proves successful the Association will incorporate the inclusion of wind turbines into all new build projects as well as looking at how to convert existing properties.

Lastly, if you are thinking of installing a wind turbine, please ensure that you get planning permission first. You must have planning approval to regardless of whether you are thinking of installing a wind turbine in the garden or attached to your main residence. So, before you pay any money for components or indeed an entire wind turbine system make sure you have your planning permission in writing!

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