the best recognised source of renewable

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1 As wind energy begins to play a larger role in worldwide energy production interest in this new technology has also grown. The situation is the same in Ireland where wind farms are gradually finding their place in the countryside. This new technology for electricity generation is creating a lot of interest and opens the way for much debate, for many questions and for answers. According to a recent survey carried out by Lansdowne Market Research, wind energy is the best recognised source of renewable energy in Ireland and more than 8 out of 10 view wind energy positively. gy.. energy.. e gy.. energy..w energy W ene energy. energy..w energy W

2 Contents energy.. energy energy energy.. energy.. energy.. energy energy Why wind energy? 1 Where does wind energy come from? 2 How long has wind been used as a source of energy? 3 What is the current state of wind energy worldwide? 4 What is the current wind power situation in Ireland? 5 Can wind turbines be installed anywhere? 6 Does the Government support wind energy? 7 What are the policy drivers for wind energy in Ireland? 8 Can anyone build a wind farm? 9 Is my site suitable? 10 What are the first steps when developing a wind farm? The technology of wind energy 11 How does a wind turbine work? 12 How large are modern wind turbines?

3 energy..win energy.. energy..win ene energy W energy 13 Are there different types of wind turbines and what are the advantages of each? 14 How many wind turbines can be installed per site? 15 How efficient are wind turbines? 16 Can wind turbine output be predicted? 17 How do wind turbines connect to the grid? 18 What are the differences between modern commercial wind turbines? 19 What is the lifespan of a wind turbine? 20 What recent developments have been made in wind turbine design? energy.. gy.. energy.les éoliennes.. energy.. ener- The economics of wind energy 21 How much do wind turbines cost? 22 What is the breakdown of the project costs? 23 What are the benefits to the landowner? 24 How does a wind farm benefit the local community? 25 How favourable are financiers to wind energy projects? 26 Is wind farm development limited to the windiest sites?

4 energy energy..l energy.. energy..les éoliennes.. gy.. energy energy.. ener- energy..l energy..l 27 Is wind energy competitive? 28 How are the additional costs to promote energy funded? 29 Are there costs further to the commissioning of a wind farm? 30 Are domestic wind turbines viable? The environmental impact of wind energy d ind energy. ener- gy.. energy.. ind energy. energy. energy 31 What are the environmental benefits of wind energy over conventional fossil fuel combustion? 32 Are there any negative impacts related to wind farms? 33 Are wind farms compatible with wildlife? 34 Are wind turbines noisy? 35 Are wind turbines safe? 36 Can wind turbines blend with the landscape? 37 Do wind farms affect tourism? 38 Do wind farms affect property values? 39 Do wind farms affect telecommunication signals? 40 How long does it take to build a wind farm?

5 energy.. energy.. The future of wind energy 41 How can the public be involved in a wind farm planned for their area? 42 What is the long-term future of wind energy in Ireland? 43 Will wind power eventually replace conventional fossil fuel power? 44 How large will wind turbines and wind farms become? 45 Are there areas where wind farms will not be desirable? 46 What are the prospects for offshore wind farms? 47 Do offshore wind farms have environmental impacts? 48 How can wind energy become increasingly competitive? 49 Can wind be used in hybrid energy sources? 50 Are there associations in Ireland involved with wind energy? rgy.. d energy. energy.... energy. ener-

6 farms of NEG Micon in Tarifa (Spain).

7 1 energy.. energy ener- Why wind energy? Ultimately all our energy comes from the Where does sun. The heat in the solar energy that wind energy reaches Earth drives air masses around the globe. Because the earth s surface is come from? uneven and because some areas are closer to the sun than others, air masses too are heated differently. Hot air is lighter than cold air so to achieve a balanced temperature the air begins to move, giving rise to wind. This wind sweeps across Earth s mountains and plains, the land and the seas and it will continue to do so for as long as the sun shines. We now know how to harness this diffuse energy with wind turbines in order to transform it into electricity. d energy.. energy

8 energy... energy.. energy.. energy. energy.. How long has Since Ancient Times man has been wind been used using wind energy: sail power for as a source of conquest and commerce, wind mills for grain milling and for irrigation. energy? The earliest recorded windmill in Ireland dates from 1281 (Kilscanlon, Co. Wexford), and by 1840 in Ireland the sails of 250 windmills turned on our hilltops. Until such time as steam power took over, followed by electricity, the driving force of the wind was extensively harnessed to power tools. Over the last few decades wind energy has aroused renewed interest due to it s environmental benefits over fossil fuel combustion (fuels such as coal, oil, gas and peat are fossil fuels which take thousands of years to form and create pollution and climate change) and to the increased security it can deliver to Ireland s fuel supply (about 90% of Ireland s energy currently comes from imports, making us the least self-sufficient country in the industrialised world). 2 nd energy ind energy... enernd energy ind ener- 3 What is the By 2002 Europe were world leaders in current state wind power, responsible for three quarters of the world s production of wind- of wind energy generated electricity; 15% coming from worldwide? the United States and 10% from the rest of the world, notably India, Japan, China and Canada. The European leaders are Germany which owns half of the continent s installed power, followed by Spain and Denmark. Today, nearly all European countries have programmes for wind energy development and turbine installation. In 2002 wind turbines supplied 1.5% of Europe s electricity consumption, with Germany, Spain and Denmark the top contributors.

9 By the end of 2002 there were 25 grid connected wind farms supplying power to the national What is grid in the Republic of Ireland, the power output of these wind turbines totalling 138 MW the current (1 megawatt = 1 thousand kilowatts). This provides enough green electricity to supply almost situation wind power 100,000 homes. A number of other projects were 4 under construction and many more granted planning permission. The total power output should reach in Ireland? 200 MW by the end of 2003 and exceed 500 MW by Whilst wind farms to date have mainly been developed in the windiest areas such as the western seaboard counties (The first commercial wind farm in Ireland was at Bellacorrick, Co. Mayo in 1992), an increasing number of projects are appearing in all regions of Ireland, including demonstration offshore wind projects. As the economics of wind power become more favourable and attractive, many more areas across the country will become suitable for wind turbines. energy energy.. energ ener 5 Can In order to strike a balance between the wind turbines development of wind energy and the protection of the countryside and the envi- be installed anywhere? ronment, the installation of a wind farm is subject to strict rules. Planning permission is required for almost all wind power projects and an Environmental Impact Study is also required for projects whose rated power output exceeds 5 MW or 5 turbines. For small scale, non-grid connected wind turbines (such as for domestic dwellings) planning permission may also be required depending on local regulations. Given that the development of renewable energy is national policy, regional authorities are encouraged to put in place a regional wind power plan or strategy in order to make the development rules for wind farms transparent. Developers of wind power projects should employ landscape experts and planning consultants to determine the best way to integrate wind turbines with the local landscape.

10 6 Does The government supports the development of all renewable based the Government electricity generating plant including wind turbine generators. They support currently achieve this mainly wind energy? through the administration of competitions under the Alternative Energy Requirement (AER) Programme, which gives wind energy companies a guaranteed market to sell power. Prospective generators are invited to make a formal application to build, own and operate new wind farms and to supply electricity from these to the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) of up to fifteen years duration. Since the Programme was launched in 1995, six AER competitions have been held. The sixth competition (AER VI) was launched in February 2003 and offered support for the first time to offshore wind energy. energy has been included in four of the six competitions. d ind energy.. energy... energy.. enerind energy energy.. energy energy

11 energy.. energy.... energy. energy.. energy energy. energy...w energy.. energy.... energy. energy.. energy energy. energy...w energy.. energy.. energy. energy What are the policy drivers The increased penetration of renewable for wind energy energy sources to supply our energy requirements is a priority at both national and in Ireland? European level. The Green Paper on Sustainable Energy sets the following targets in Ireland: > Increasing the percentage of Total Primary Energy Requirement (TPER) to be derived from renewable sources to 3.75% by 2005 from 2% in 2000; > Increasing the percentage of electricity generated from renewable sources from 6% in 2000 to 12% by This includes the installation of an additional 500 MW of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2005, mainly wind power. 7 The National Climate Change Strategy outlines the strategy to meet Ireland s commitment to limit greenhouse gases emissions to a 13% increase over 1990 levels by Some of the key points relating to renewable energy in the strategy include: > The reduction of annual CO2 emissions by 1 million tonnes by 2010 through increased deployment of renewable energy; > A review of the rate and structure of Energy Taxes; > Fuel switching from coal to renewable energy. The National Development Plan allocates a total investment of 67 million for renewable energy in the period The main investment areas target: > Re-enforcement and up-grading of electricity grid to accommodate increased use of renewable energy; > Supporting delivery of additional renewable energy supply (including the AER programme); > Encourage new entrants to the renewable energy market by support for small-scale projects.

12 The Electricity Act 1999 sets out the following measures: > Full deregulation of the market for electricity generated using renewable forms of energy as its primary source; > Priority dispatch of electricity generated from renewable energy sources; > Establishment of the Commission of Electricity Regulation with a duty to encourage research and development into methods of generating electricity using renewable, sustainable and alternative forms of energy. The Kyoto Protocol is an international treaty which indirectly contains Ireland s commitment to limit greenhouse gas emissions to a 13% increase over 1990 levels by and which calls for research and development in the areas of renewable energy. Furthermore, the EU target of 22% of electricity supply from renewable sources by 2010, underpinned by the EC Directive 2001/1771/EC on the promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources, requires lreland to generate a minimum of 13% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by gy energys.. energy energy energy energy energy energy ener- energys.. energy gy energys.. energy energy energy ener- 8 Can anyone turbines function as independent generating stations. They may build a wind farm? belong to a private individual, a company, a group of shareholders (e.g. a community scheme), a mixed economy business, etc. farm owners or investors generally hand over responsibility for the project design, management and maintenance to specialised professional companies.

13 gy.. energy energy energy. energy e gy energy.. energy energy ene e Is my site Despite Ireland having the best wind suitable? resource in Europe, not all sites are suitable for the development of a wind farm. However, if you can answer yes to most of the following questions, your site may prove more suitable than most; > Is the site windy? > Is the proposed area at an elevation of 200 metres or greater or located close to the coast? > Does it face a southerly or south-westerly direction? > Is the path of the wind from south/south-west clear of obstacles to the wind (for example, mountains, towns)? > Are the nearest dwellings more than 400 metres from your land boundaries? > Is your land situated in an area not designated as a SAC (Special Area of Conservation), a NHA (National Heritage Area), a national park, or other designated areas? > Is your land situated away from designated scenic locations? > Is there access to the National Grid close by (within 15 km)? > Will the proposed site avoid affecting electromagnetic communication systems (e.g. microwave links)? > Is the site accessible and are ground conditions suitable for development? > Are there wind farm developments already operational in the area or are there developments granted planning permission close by? > Have you discussed your proposal with the local planning office and neighbours (adjacent landowners, or landowners in the immediate vicinity, residents at nearby houses etc.) and are they satisfied with your proposals? 9

14 energy.. energy energy energy.. energy energy.. energy energy.. energy.. If you can answer positively for most or all of the above questions you are in a position to continue investigating the development of a wind farm. It is not necessarily a prerequisite to be at an elevation greater than 200 metres or for operational wind farms to be close by, for your site to be suitable and feasible for a wind farm development. Even if you can answer favourably to all the questions, it does not mean that your site will be given planning permission. Some factors such as your land being situated in a designated area such as an SAC, NHA or National Park are crucial determining planning factors. Before you take the project further you should get professional support to review all your options including the development of alternative sites.

15 10 What are the It is a good idea to organise a meeting with first steps when the planning department from the Local Authority responsible for the area where developing a the prospective site lies. To prepare for the wind farm? meeting it is advisable to purchase an Ordinance Survey Discovery Series map (1:50,000) for the area where the wind farm is to be situated. Before the meeting, mark these areas on the map as accurately as possible; > Mark the site boundary using a red pen > Mark any area of the site where you do not wish to develop > Mark access roads using a black pen > Mark all dwellings/businesses within 2 km > Mark the route of the closest electricity line using a dotted line > Mark other wind farm developments in the vicinity > Mark any areas of forestry (or planned forestry) using a green pen > Write a key to the markings on the map in an area away from the markings (in one of the corners) It is important to be aware that the meeting with the local planning department is only to receive initial feedback and you will not receive an answer to whether you will get planning permission for your development or not. The planning official is not expected to be able to give a definitive yes or no, though they may be able to give you some idea of your chance of success and of local specific issues. Further to receiving feedback from the planning department you will be in a better position to decide if you wish to continue with the wind farm development. energy. energy energy..w energy energy energy energ gy energy.. energy. energy energy..w e energy energ energy energy energy energy ener gy energy.. energy. energy energy..w e energy energ ener

16 Manufactory of NEG Micon.

17 The technology of wind energy d.. energy.. energy energy energy. energy 11 Most wind turbines operating commercially today in How does Ireland consist of 3 rotor a wind turbine blades that rotate around a horizontal hub. The blades face work? into the wind and rotate as the wind passes through them. The rotor is connected to a nacelle (a housing for the transmission equipment) that is located at the top of a tower to ensure a higher and less interrupted wind flow. turbines start operating at approximately 4-5 metres per second (approximately km.p.h.) reach a maximum output at m/s and automatically shut down for safety at wind speeds greater than 25 m/s (approximately 80 km.p.h.). The rotating motion is accelerated through the turbine transmission (which usually includes a gearbox) into the generator that converts the motion to electricity. When more air passes through the blades, more electricity can be produced. The low voltage electricity from the generator is stepped up through a transformer to match the national grid voltage. The electricity is transported from the wind turbine to the grid along electric cables which may be buried underground within the wind farm site.

18 The most common wind turbine installed these days is between 750 kw and MW. A 750 kw machine may have How large are a rotor 48 metres in diameter with the modern wind nacelle perched on the tower at a height of typically 45 metres above the ground, turbines? which with the blades, gives a total height of about 70 metres. For a 2.5 MW wind turbine the rotor diameter may be up to 70 or 80 metres with the nacelle typically located 80 metres above the ground and a maximum blade tip height of almost 120 metres. Improvements in turbine design and efficiency means that we can expect wind turbines to continue to increase in size for some time yet. Where larger turbines are used, less are required to produce the equivalent power output achieved by a greater number of the their smaller predecessors. 13 Are there different types of wind turbines Engineers are constantly perfecting and what are the existing systems or inventing new advantages of each? ones. The most visible differences concern the number of blades. The two bladed turbines can be less expensive to produce. Rotors employing three blades are more balanced in rotation, easier to design and are considered more aesthetic, hence they have proven far more popular. Generators fall into two main categories as regards wind turbines: fixed speed or variable speed (variable speed machines make best use of the wind around them). Technical innovation is always possible; vertical axis turbines have been experimented with, but have not proved as reliable and efficient as the horizontal axis turbines seen everywhere nowadays.

19 14 How many turbines are large machines and wind turbines in order to function correctly they can be installed require a substantial distance between each turbine. When a wind turbine per site? converts energy from the wind passing through it s rotor, the wind behind the rotor is weakened. In order to ensure that the wind energy at the next wind turbine is optimal, wind turbines should be positioned between 5 and 10 rotor diameters apart the turbine manufacturer or specialist consultant can advise of the specific distance depending on the turbine. For example, if a wind turbine has a rotor diameter of 50 metres, the next turbine should be located between 250 and 500 metres behind it. Because a wind turbine should not impinge upon neighbouring land without agreement, there should also be a buffer zone at the site boundaries to ensure this does not occur. The foot print of the wind farm is extremely low usually less than 3% of the land is used for the wind turbine foundations and site roads, so land based activity such as farming can continue uninhibited at the site.. energy energy energy ener. energy energy W energ

20 15 turbines are far more complex than traditional windmills. How efficient are Energy in the wind is converted into wind turbines? electricity by a number of components in the wind turbine: the threeblade rotor, the transmission (direct or gearbox), the generator, the electrical control circuitry (regulator, inverter, etc, depending on the type of machine). All these are housed in the nacelle located at the top of the tower of the wind turbine. All features of a wind turbine draw upon state of the art technology. Blade profile and materials, for instance, are derived from aeronautics. Efficiency of electrical components is close to 100%, losses being more of mechanical origin, such as friction, interaction of gears, etc. Overall, wind turbines are high-yield machines capable of transforming around 30-40% of the wind s energy into electricity. As the wind is not blowing at a constant rate, wind power is random in nature and 100% wind power cannot be Can wind16 planned for, even in windy regions like turbine output Ireland. Moreover, site quality plays a predominant role; the best sites are be predicted? obviously are those which rarely have insufficient wind. Under a certain level of wind speed (approximately 4 m/s, or 16 km.p.h.) a wind turbine does not turn, or at least, does not turn sufficiently to provide power. The turbine generally delivers its full power output above a speed of 14 m/s, i.e. 50 km/h. In order to predict the output of a wind turbine hours or even days in advance so as to optimise the use of other means of electricity production, one has to be able to make very precise predictions on wind speed at the exact location of each wind farm. forecasting systems are operating successfully in Denmark and Germany with accurate 4-hour wind forecasts using the latest modern computer systems. There are several research programmes working on this here in Ireland following from these successful wind prediction models in operation in Europe.

21 Les. éoliennes energy energy ene. gy energy energy en e energy en energy 17 Commercial wind turbines are used How do wind to feed directly into the National turbines connect electricity grid for distribution with to the grid? power from the entire energy supply mix. Because wind energy is an intermittent source of power it is important that the use of wind power is compatible with the power quality requirements of the grid. Ireland s electricity grid system comprises a localised distribution system (10, 20, and 38 kv network) and a higher voltage transmission system (110, 220 and 400 kv network). farms have to date been most commonly connected to the distribution system, though as wind farm sizes increase and local network power capacity differs, some wind farms are connected to the transmission system. Prospective wind farm operators will need to identify which power system is the most suitable for their project to connect to and this will have a definite bearing upon the costs of the project. It is important for developers to employ qualified and experienced engineers to fulfil this task. Ideally wind farms should locate within approximately 15 km of a suitable grid connection point to minimise the associated costs. The electricity will be transported by cables, usually buried underground within the site, and from the site by overhead power cables on wooden poles similar to those seen along most roads. These take the electricity to a nearby substation where it can link up with the electricity grid.

22 What are Early commercial turbines employed constant speed active stall control the differences technology, which offered a relatively between modern cheap and robust wind turbine with a standard generator. Constant speed commercial wind turbines do however exhibit weaknesses in relation to aerodynamic efficiency, excessive mechanical stresses, gear- turbines?18 box exhaustion and relative noise levels when compared with variable speed generators. Most variable speed wind turbines also employ a gearbox but outperform constant speed turbines in relation to noise, mechanical stresses and aerodynamic efficiencies. Naturally this means that the variable speed turbines are more expensive initially than constant speed turbines. Variable speed wind turbines also prove more compatible when connecting to the national grid. Some turbines utilise direct drive technology avoiding the use of any gearboxes. These minimise mechanical noise and eliminate gearbox problems but prove the most expensive first cost option because of the additional benefits. liennes.. energy.. nergy.. energy. energy energy.. d 19 What It is as yet too early to say, especially is the lifespan as development has been so rapid of a wind turbine? that, particularly in Germany and Denmark, some machines have been replaced by the next generation before ageing becomes an issue. Currently wind farm operators base their economic calculations on a fifteen-year life span. This can be exceeded on condition, of course, that the parts that normally wear out are replaced periodically as for any industrial equipment.

23 energy.. energy.. energy. energy energy... energy Apart from the mechanical design 20 What recent improvements mentioned earlier, there have been huge developments in wind turbine noise developments have been made reduction. Because wind turbines are machines, there are two sources in wind turbine of noise from them; the air flowing design? around the rotor blades and the vibrations caused by the mechanical action between the rotor shaft and the generator. Optimising the blade s profile has maximised blade output and made a reduction in rotation speed possible, enabling the machine to go as slow as half a turn per second. The issue of mechanical noises in the transmission system has been solved using precision, silent gears, and by mounting the shafts on shock absorbing bearings and padding the nacelle.

24 farms of Bonus in Thüringen (Germany).

25 The economics of wind energy There are dozens of manufacturers providing the wind turbine market How much do wind with wind turbines which vary in size, turbines cost? power output, materials used, technologies employed and costs. As with the purchase of all industrial equipment there will be a scale of economy, especially where large quantities of wind turbine are being bought for the same project. 21 For this reason prices for commercial wind turbines are often not immediately available. Most manufacturers offer operation and maintenance contracts and varying levels of warranty that combine with the wind turbine to determine the overall costs. Indicative costs for the wind turbine, including tower but excluding transformer are in the range per rated kw. It is important to recognise that the wind turbine will only make up a proportion of the overall project costs and if a wind farm is to be properly developed other costs involved in the planning, design and operating of the project have to be considered. energy energ energy.. energ energ

26 The total investment for a wind turbine What is averages 1.1 million per installed megawatt. A 10 MW farm, therefore, will cost the breakdown of the project about 11 million. This figure will, of course, vary according to technical choices costs? made and the particular features of the site. The distribution of project funding will typically be: wind turbines: 70%; civil engineering works: 11%; electrical infrastructure and commissioning: 7%; electrical network connection: 5%; project development and O & M costs: 7% As electricity production is no longer a monopoly, anybody can invest in a wind project. A farmer can install a wind turbine on his/her land. Private individuals can come together, form a cooperative and raise the capital to set up a wind farm, or a company can erect wind turbines on its site. For the larger projects, investors include professional wind farm developers, turbine manufacturers and utility companies, or financial organisations (banks, investment corporations) for which a wind farm represents an investment. However there are no limits to the size of private and community schemes, so it is expected that some of the larger projects may also be community owned. 22 A farmer/landowner who allows wind What are the turbines on his/her land is in a position to negotiate a land lease for the 23 benefits to use of land. This can take the form the landowner? of an annual payment, and/or land rental - typically between 2.5% and 3.5% of electricity sales. Bear in mind that this type of arrangement would incur no investment costs on the landowner. Frequently a promoter will offer the landowner an opportunity to invest in the project, thus increasing their return for a limited financial risk. Land rental alone more than compensates any loss of agricultural production, given that a wind turbine occupies such a small amount of land. farming and conventional farming are therefore perfectly compatible. At the end of their working life the turbines can be replaced or removed and the land re-instated to it s original condition.

27 The operator of a wind farm must How does a wind pay both rates and manufacturing tax. As they are based on the value farm benefit the of the assets these taxes are quite local community? high due to the considerable investment involved in a wind farm. Rates vary from one local authority to another and can be as much as 8,000 per installed MW per year. This source of revenue directly benefits the citizens of the area and is usually distributed through projects in the locality. Construction jobs can be provided throughout the construction period and road and foundation materials are likely to be sourced locally. When complete, a smaller number of jobs are created through operation and maintenance duties, which are both long-term and sustainable. Where community schemes are developed, stakeholders (usually limited to those in the wind farm s community) can reap the benefits directly through share divided payments. 24

28 nd energy.. nd energy.. ergy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. How favourable are 25 financiers to wind Banks and financial institutions view wind energy projects energy projects? in much the same way as they see other infrastructure projects. Financiers are aware of the quality of the Irish wind regime and see wind power as a growing industry. Increasing numbers of institutions recognise the potential growth dynamic and are entering the wind farm finance market. Subject to certain criteria being met, banks are willing to fund between 80% and 90% of the project costs for wind projects. Banks and financiers are keen to develop their presence in the Irish wind power market. In order to secure such finance institutions will expect to see: > Full planning permission > Grid connection agreements > Details of equity funding > Promoter profile > Authorised wind reports > Power purchase agreement > Projected cash-flows > Warranty contracts > CER (Commission for Energy Regulation) licences > Site title details

29 26 Is wind farm development Under the current pricing regime this has been the case but future pricing limited to the mechanisms and the reducing costs of windiest sites? wind turbines will change this situation. Otherwise the coastal areas or mountaintops would be in danger of being saturated with wind turbines. This is why planning authorities in areas with high wind regimes, in consultation with all concerned, are drawing up strategies to harmonise wind development with the preservation of the countryside for other uses. In any case, the purchase price of wind electricity in Ireland should be planned for in such a way that allows wind farms in less windy sites to earn a reasonable return. Finally it should be kept in mind that Germany, whose wind power potential is lower than Ireland s, already has 12,000 MW installed throughout the whole country including low wind areas. A wind turbine positioned in typical Irish wind speeds will generate twice as much electricity as one in typical German wind conditions.

30 The revenue generated by a wind farm depends on its power output and on the annual number of operating hours. This is generally between 2,500 and 3,500 hours depending on the average wind speed. In order to compensate for the natural differences in wind resources between sites, the purchasing price of a kwh of electricity from a site with comparatively poor wind resources, which therefore works less of the time, needs to be higher than from a very good wind site. Taking the example of a wind farm with a quantity of 10 1 MW wind turbines using the maximum cap price indicated in the AER VI scheme; i.e. a total of 10 MW, which works 3,500 hours per year. The annual output is therefore 35 million kwh, which are sold to the electricity utility company at a price of euro-cent per kwh. The gross revenue is therefore 1.8 million per year. Running costs and loan repayments must then be deducted in order to obtain net revenue.

31 Is wind energy Today, the cost per kilowatt-hour competitive? (kwh) output of wind turbines 27 compares very favourably with traditional electricity generating stations especially here in Ireland where we have some of the world s windiest sites. Using the cap prices indicated in the latest Irish government support scheme, wind power can be produced at a wholesale price of around 5 eurocent per kwh. Of course this depends on the wind profile at the site in question. It should not be forgotten that the output of a wind turbine is, by definition, irregular, as it is linked to climatic conditions. For the same investment, a wind turbine on an exposed site will have a greater electrical output, and therefore a lower cost price per kwh than one on a site with less wind. Moreover, since wind generated electricity respects the environment, many ancillary costs normally associated with other energy sources are saved; for instance there are no greenhouse gas emissions, no waste to be recycled, no resulting public health problems, etc. Energy in Ireland is already very How are the competitive. The Alternative Energy additional Requirement (AER) is a public service obligation (PSO) system in which prospective renewable energy producers are costs to promote energy invited to submit competing tenders for the sale of electricity to the national grid. funded? power bidders who submit the lowest prices are guaranteed the sale for their output to ESB Power Contracting for a fixed 15-year period. The competitive nature of these schemes ensures that the cost ultimately borne by consumers for the higher direct costs of electricity generated from renewable sources is minimised. A minimal PSO levy is then charged additionally to electricity consumers in order to facilitate this process. 28

32 energy energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. Are there costs The bulk of the costs involved with wind energy projects are involved further to the with the planning, construction and commissioning commissioning of the site; there are 29 no fuel costs involved for the rest of of a wind farm? the working life of the wind farm. The wind farm will need to be monitored throughout its lifetime and, as with all generating plant, components may need to be replaced over this period. Maintenance and administration, including leases, insurance and rates, will be an ongoing requirement and will typically be in the region of 5.5% of the total investment costs per year. So if a 10 MW wind farm is constructed at a total project cost of 11 million, approximately 600,000 will be directed towards ensuring that the equipment remains in good working order every year.

33 Are domestic There is a very dynamic market for smaller wind turbines of a power wind turbines output from just a few kilowatts to viable? 250 kw: the latter have rotors of up to 30 metres in diameter. There is huge demand for small wind turbines for electrification of remote sites or for supplying power to small networks. For geographic or economic reasons, such as distance from point of usage or communities of modest means, it is preferable to have multiple sets of equipment that are small in size. The installation of a domestic wind turbine may require planning permission from the local authority. Small wind turbines are popular for electrifying farms and for low power usage industries in remote locations. They make it possible for individuals or for small businesses or local communities to realise a wind power project within their means. However if a domestic turbine is to be installed where connection to a utility power provider is also necessary, the project may prove expensive and the payback time will be increased. 30 energy energ energy.. energy.. energy.. energy energy.. energy.. energy.. energy ener.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy.. energy. energy energy.win

34 farms of Jeumont in Widehem (France).

35 The environmental impact of wind energy energy.. energy It would be hard to find anything more ecologically sound than a wind turbine in action: there are no polluting emissions, no dust particles, no waste. Likewise at the wind farm site itself: no refuse, no effluent, no slag or ash, no effect on the quality of the local air or water. It is the ultimate clean energy. If, at the end of its lifetime, a wind turbine is not to be replaced, its decommissioning can be every bit as discreet as were its installation and lifetime of service. It is easy to dismantle and the site can be quickly restored to its original state thanks to the small amount of ground it occupies. Compared with installations whose dismantling involves long, costly and dangerous operations, the wind turbine offers an ecologically more viable solution. Each year, for every megawatt of Irish wind energy that displaces fossil fuel power production, environmental, economic and social benefits include: > Clean electricity to meet the electricity needs of 650 homes; > Removes the need to import 6,450 barrels of oil; > The avoidance of 2700 tonnes of CO2; > The avoidance of 49 tonnes of SO2; > The avoidance of 5.5 tonnes of NOx; > The avoidance of 175 tonnes of slag and ash for landfill. What are the environmental benefits of wind energy over conventional fossil fuel combustion? 31

36 Are there Due to the limited civil engineering any negative works involved, the construction of a wind farm is relatively discreet. The most impacts related striking stages are transporting and erecting the equipment. Transporting it involves to wind farms? conveying the tower sections and the blades in a coordinated convoy using public roads, then along access roads as far as the site. The transit through towns and villages attracts numerous onlookers. Large cranes and other heavy plant are required to erect the wind turbines. Once installed, the wind turbine is noticeable for how little ground it occupies just 1% of the surface area that a conventional generating station of the same capacity would occupy. Once the work is complete nature takes over: sheep and cattle will graze at the foot of the machines, or the fields can be restored for tillage. 32 y.. energy.les ind energy.. gy. energy. 33 Are wind farms compatible with Outside of nature reserves and wildlife? national parks where building is restricted, birds and wind turbines can live side by side on condition that certain rules are respected: no sites to be put on migration paths; the turbines should be highly visible, etc. Generally though, animals are very adaptable. In carrying out follow-up studies on wind farms ornithologists have noticed that birds adapt their behaviour by flying around this new feature in the countryside. Many projects are nonetheless monitored in cooperation with specialist experts, in particular from Birdwatch Ireland and from the Department of Environment.

37 Are wind Technical advances have turbines noisy? greatly reduced noise levels from wind turbines. Measured noise levels of approximately 50dB (A) are expected at the base of a modern turbine, equivalent to noise levels in a busy office. You can hold a conversation at the base of a wind turbine without having to raise your voice. As everything is relative, the emergence of the wind turbine must particularly be appreciated in relation to surrounding noise. It should indeed be kept in mind that wind turbines are already operating in an ambient noise which increases with wind speed. Conversely, when the noise of the wind is weak the turbine does not turn! Nonetheless, in order to minimise noise related impacts to local residents, it is recommended that wind turbine noise does not exceed 5 db (A) above the background noise at the nearest noise sensitive location. 34

38 Rotors and blades have broken off and fallen from Are wind turbines, however such incidents are extremely turbines safe? rare and the impact never goes beyond a few 35 metres. As wind farms are generally built in uninhabited places there have never been any casualties among the local residents. turbines are modern machines using the highest quality modern components and draw upon the experiences of the well-developed automotive and aeronautical industries. Per megawatt, wind energy is probably the least dangerous energy generation technology available. turbines are designed to work when the wind blows and therefore stand up well to difficult conditions. In extreme cases, such as winds in excess of 90 km/h, the pitch of the blades is altered, thus offering a minimum of wind resistance. Smaller turbines, up to 250 kw have an articulated tower, which makes it possible to bring them down to the ground when a very heavy storm is forecast.

39 36 There are two possible answers. Aesthetically, the colour and size of the turbines and their layout have to be in Can wind turbines harmony with existing forms such as the coastline, local vegetation, mountain blend with forms, etc. Consideration must be given to the landscape? the size, scale and layout of the proposed wind farm to ensure it fits and respects the environment and landscape that it will be applied to. Three key criteria to consider are: > farm size - small, medium or large > farm plan complexity - deep plan (multiple lines of turbines) or linear plan (single line) > Turbine spacing - random or equal If, on the other hand, the aim is to make them invisible in certain protected areas, the site will have to be selected by checking the line of sight from different distances and determining the extent of the impact at nearby sensitive locations. The fact that they are exposed to the wind means that wind turbines are usually visible. A landscape study should be carried out beforehand in consultation with the local population. In such subjective areas unanimity is rare. It is worth recalling that, even before the foundations were laid, Dublin s Millennium Spire caused much debate and France was initially divided by the Eiffel Tower project, one of the world s most visited monuments. energy..wi energy energy gy. energy en

40 The landscape issue throws up some unexpected answers in the industrial domain. Installing wind turbines also contributes to the rehabilitation of industrial wasteland, to bringing life back to ports or to refurbishing sea walls. It is a means of assigning a new purpose to features that are part of our industrial or architectural heritage. We must not lose sight of the fact that man has always remodelled the countryside creating features that we admire unconditionally, be they defence walls or tilled fields. And finally, when it comes to building wind turbines the designers give them functional forms, dictated by technical demands. Like aeroplanes, they enjoy slender lines with light colours to tone in with the daylight. Each new generation of machines enjoys an even more refined design. 37 Do wind farms A recent independent study by Lansdowne Market Research affect tourism? which focussed on public attitudes to wind energy and wind farms of residents at existing wind farm locations in Ireland prove that wind farms, rather than conflicting with tourism can in fact encourage tourists to visit the area. Initially the construction of the wind farms at a site attracts people out of curiosity. When commissioned the wind farm can become a reason to travel to an otherwise relatively unvisited area. farms are frequently used as settings for photos published both in fashion and travel magazines, and can be increasingly seen in advertisements by companies trying to make their products more attractive. In Ireland, wind farms often become places for outings and may have tourist information points. d gy.. energy... energy ener-.. gy. energy. ener-.. energy. enerenergy

41 Do wind As with the effects on tourism discussed in the previous question, the farms affect 38 same survey found that residents in property areas close to wind farms were largely in agreement that wind farms did values? not affect the values of their properties. Indeed, wind farms can often make large areas of derelict land profitable and thus can increase their inherent value. en energy energy.w

42 You need not worry about the Do wind farms 39 reception of your favourite affect telecommunication programmes being distorted. In order to prevent any interference with radio waves the installation of a wind turbine must signals? take account of the electromagnetic restrictions associated with the site. Whilst a television station s direct signal can be disturbed by the wind turbine s turning blades (if the wind turbine s position is directly in line with the receiver), relatively simple technical equipment or the realignment of existing antenna can solve the problem. Considering the trend towards cable or satellite TV signal transmission, this problem will disappear in the long run.

43 energy.. en en en energy. energy en en energy.. energy. en en 40 How long does it take to build farm construction cannot a wind farm? commence until full planning permission has been granted and until the CER (Commission for Energy Regulation) has granted the developer a licence to construct a power generating station. Because wind farms differ in size it is difficult to identify how long it might take to bring the project to the commissioning stage. Some wind farms are built in a number of phases over several years. Initial site work including clearance and the establishment or upgrading of roads will need to be carried out to allow delivery of the wind turbines, their towers and other ancillary equipment to the site. Foundations need to be built to erect the wind turbines on, plus staging pads to allow for cranes needed to assist the erection. Erecting the wind turbines can take place quite swiftly if appropriate preparations have been made. When up, the testing and commissioning of the wind turbines may take a number of months, again depending on their number. A typical 10-turbine wind farm may take 4 or 5 months between the early site work and the final commissioning and full operation of the wind farm.

44 farms of Vestas in Hornsfeld Rev (Denmark).

45 The future of wind energy How can the public be involved in a wind If a wind farm is proposed for any location in Ireland, its promoters must obtain the planning permission from the Local Authority in farm planned the county or district concerned. The planning application requires that notice is made for their area? 41 in a number of prescribed media, such as local or national newspapers. This is the first official stage at which the project is brought to the attention of the local community. However, prior to this it is recommended that the project operators inform the local population about their proposals by mail and organise open information or consultation meetings to present the project and gather opinions. This is a good opportunity to express your views on the future wind farm, and to address and discuss any questions or fears that may arise. energy.. energy..win energy energy..win energy energy ener

46 ind ergy. energy.. energy energy.. energy ener- What is the long-term future 42 The government s stated aim is of wind energy to install an additional 500 MW (above 2000 levels) of wind energy in Ireland by Moreover, in Ireland? European commitments to renewable energy (see question 7) are summed up by an aim to have 65,000 MW of wind power in The current average power output of installed wind turbines is approximately 1 MW, their size, however, is on the increase. Up to five hundred wind turbines may therefore spring up not only on Irish soil, but also in the sea in offshore farms. Before the end of the century the supplies of fossil-fuel energy will probably be fully depleted. Together with other techniques, which use the sun s renewable energy (solar-thermal and photovoltaic panels, hydroelectricity, biomass combustion) and that from within the Earth (geothermal), it is probable that wind turbines will be talked about for a long time yet. This is a chance for the planet. Will wind power Denmark, the most advanced eventually replace country in this respect, produces up to 20% of its electricity from conventional fossil wind in certain regions and can even fuel power? 43 reach 50% during periods of strong wind. It would seem difficult to exceed this figure because of the variability of the wind resource and consequent wind turbine yield. This makes it necessary to have conventional means of production available and ready to take over when the wind turbines are not in production so as to meet consumer demand. power is certainly not a miracle technology that will supply all the country s electricity. Nonetheless, it makes possible the production of local non-polluting, renewable electricity at a competitive price. It would be a shame not to avail of the oil well in the sky.