Endurance E-3120 50kW

This turbine is designed to produce energy efficiently, safely and quietly. It produces 100,000 – 250,000 kWh per annual in suitable wind speeds. It’s designed for less than perfect wind conditions, and uses large blades to capture wind energy. Its rotor diameter measures to 19m, meaning it is one of the largest rotors per rated kW in its category. This results in the turbine capturing the most out of the winds energy, as the larger the rotor the more wind energy the turbine can produce. The E–3120 turbine has a generator which produces electricity that can be transported to the power grid without inverters. This in turn means lower equipment and maintenance costs whilst increasing the power production. While its output is high and costs manageable, the E -3120 also guarantees a five year warranty and boasts safety, noise reduction and aesthetic qualities. Positioning this turbine in large spacious areas, school fields and on hospital sites will give it maximum output. It can be used both commercially and industrially and is very versatile.

Gaia-Wind 133-11kW

The Gaia Wind turbine is designed to perform in the majority of wind speeds, ranging from 3.2 m/s to 25 m/s, while generating 30,000 kWh per year. Not only that, but it reduces the carbon footprint significantly whilst also generating a profit for the owner. The performance of Gaia turbines is all down to the swept area; the bigger the swept area the more energy is generated. The 133-11kW model has a swept area of 133 sq m.  However, even though big blades generate more electricity they also generate more noise, but thankfully this is not the case with the Gaia wind turbine; the blades have been designed to rotate at a constant speed keeping noise to a minimum. This turbine is preferably suited to large working farms, rural properties and community projects. The name Gaia offers high reliability and has been an established company for 20 years.

Kingspan 6kW

A small scale turbine, the 6kW is unique due to its blade and hinge design. It regulates its rotational speed and as the wind gets stronger the blades pitch and cone, thus protecting the turbine while also producing maximum output. As a result of this, the 6kW can be used in a variety of weather conditions and proves to be very versatile. Furthermore, this turbine automatically tracks the direction of the wind so there is no requirement for an active yaw control. The Kingspan turbine is suitable for rural domestic areas, agricultural uses and for commercial uses.  As well as the technological advances, this turbine also comes with a 5 year warranty as standard.

EWT 500 kW

The 500kW turbine is intended for low wind speeds and is an attractive product in terms of wind turbines, whilst delivering a good financial and energy efficient yield, this turbine also qualifies for FIT benefits making it a profitable choice. Its rotor diameter measures 54.0/51.5 making it very energy efficient for its type and size. Like most turbines it works well in rural areas with little wind interruption, however due to this turbine performing well under low winds it can be suited to suburban areas as well.

Still not sure which wind turbine is right for you? Earthmill can help. Call us today on 01937 581011.

When we consider that it was originally used as a source of power for river and sea bound ships millennia ago, we can see that man’s relationship with wind power is very much not a 21st Century thing. Factually speaking, wind is essentially the movement of air away from areas of high pressure, towards areas of low pressure. As the sun heats the earth’s surface and the hot air begins to rise, cold air (i.e. wind), via a mechanism known as the Hadley cell, moves in to fill the void.

Wind Energy and the UK

Wind power is an entirely renewable and inexhaustible resource. The wind turbines of today have power ratings from around 550 kW to 5MW, however most turbines installed commercially have an output rated at 1.5-3.5MW. Wind power serviced 2.49% of the UK’s energy needs in 2009, representing a 37% stake within the total renewable energy source available in the current infrastructure. It figures alongside biomass, biogas and hydro energy sources. This sector has been steadily increasing, however extensive expansion at in-land areas has been hampered by protest groups who object to the supposed ugliness of the structures and the noise pollution emitted. Off-shore farms have met some bio-diversity centred opposition however this has mostly been quashed.  Studies have shown that off-shore wind speeds are on average circa 90% greater than those on shore; implicit of far greater potential of future wind generated energy.

Output Specifics

The aerodynamics of a wind turbine are governed by complicated mathematical formulae, as the airflow passing the blades is not the same as the airflow further away from the main body of the turbine. However with regard to the output of wind turbines, it is important to note that both the area swept by the rotor and the cube of the wind speed are proportional to this output. This means that if you were to double the size of the area swept by the blades (not the size of the blades themselves), then the power generated would double. Furthermore, if the wind speed were to double, then the power output would increase by a factor of 8 – 2 X 2 X 2 (i.e. the cube of the wind speed).

Looking to buy a wind turbine from a specialist supplier in the UK? Contact Earthmill today on 01937 581011.

Wind power is exactly that, it is the process of converting the force of the wind into a current of electrons, more commonly known as electricity. This is achieved by means of a rotating generator which generates an electrical current by spinning coils of metal in close proximity to magnets. The electricity generated is then transported to the grid to service the homes of those living in the area.

Ensuring Even Production

The driving force behind this particular brand of renewable energy is the wind, but how do you get the generator spinning? The blades of the turbine are specially designed to catch the air flow so that the air passes over both sides of the blade. The rotating motion is caused by the angular design of the blade – the air pressure becomes uneven, higher on one side of the blade and lower on the other, therefore turning the turbine. At the top rear of the turbine is an anemometer, in effect a sophisticated weather vane. This measures the speed and direction of the wind and transfers this data to a central computer, thereby ensuring that the turbine faces into the wind – generating as much electricity as possible.

Powering the Generator

To generate electricity, the Endurance generator needs to rotate at a rate of 1500rpm and the blades rotate at 43rpm. The electricity generated is on large then transmitted to the national grid. However, private turbines have various options when it comes to installation costs and electricity usage. For example you could pay for installation privately and then benefit from the profit of selling the excess electricity back to the grid. Alternatively you could offer your land, on which a turbine would be installed, so that you would received reduce energy bills on a permanent basis. A further option would be to rent your land for the installation of the turbine and therefore received monthly rent payments.

Here are the 3 main advantages of wind energy:

Reduction of the Consumption of Fossil Fuels

Humans as a species consume gargantuan amounts of natural resources. However, for the most part, these resources are finite. This means that when they have been used up, that’s it. Sources of energy such as crude oil occur naturally due to the fossilisation a subsequent breaking down of organisms on the sea bed. This process takes millions of years however, thus demonstrating the finite nature of the material. Burning these fossil fuels to produce electricity produces pollution in various forms. For example the emission of carbon dioxide and monoxide, methane and many other gases which contribute to global warming by added to the greenhouse effect or damaging the ozone layer. Soot particulates also cause global dimming which has been proved to be of as much concern as global warming. Wind power is infinite as it were and thus is inexhaustible. Harnessing the power of the wind carries very low emissions (just the carbon released during manufacture and installation) and provides a long lasting clean energy source).

The Creation of Employment

The commitment to swapping from so called ‘dirty’ energy sources to ‘clean’ ones which was sealed in the 90’s at the Kyoto Protocol has led to a huge growth in the market for the provision of renewable energy sources. Countless firms have been set up providing the necessary means of installation, maintenance and infrastructure for wind turbines. Needless to say, this has created a huge number of jobs in both the public and private sectors. In a time of austerity and relatively high unemployment, this thriving industry has become an important source of employment. This is especially so in the more rural or coastal areas where jobs may be scarce. Specialist training is required to carry out maintenance or supervise the installation of a turbine but this is now often being provided at a subsidised cost by the firms involved, making jobs in this industry ever more attractive.

The Financial Return

Wind energy makes environmental as well as financial sense. This is especially the case for farmers or land owners who are looking into the installation of a single unit. You can expect a return on your investment if you were to cover the cost of installation yourself within 4 – 8 years. When this upfront cost has been recouped, you can begin to profit from the excess energy produced which can be sold back to the national grid at a reduced cost. This means that energy bills will be nil and you can begin to actually see a return on your investment. There are also various incentives in place to encourage the public to have a turbine installed on their land. For example you could rent your land to firms offering to build and maintain their own turbines. Alternatively you could offer the usage of your land for no cost but receive significant reductions in your energy bill in return.

Since May 2011 Earthmill have gone on to install 51 Endurance E-3120 wind turbines across the North of England. With many more due to be installed by the end of this year Earthmill are now the leading suppliers of the Endurance E-3120 in the world.

This is a fantastic achievement and something that the Earthmill intend to build upon as we move into the second half of 2012.

With installations now across the North of England it means that there are going to be a lot more Open Days in a variety of locations.