Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:58:47 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4501#Comment_4501 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4501#Comment_4501 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:11:33 +0100 Aguillar These days it seems there are options beyond the cheap Chinese versions or the expensive Proven ones...
The [off grid] site is an exposed hillside, with planning permission for a 11m wind turbine and a projected average wind speed of 4.4m/s at 10m. No neighbours for a long way.
Many thanks!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4503#Comment_4503 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4503#Comment_4503 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:37:58 +0100 nigel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4512#Comment_4512 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4512#Comment_4512 Mon, 09 Jul 2007 09:33:58 +0100 ted
Iskra - www.iskrawind.com
Renewable Devices Swift - www.renewabledevices.com
Quiet Revolution - www.quietrevolution.co.uk
Fortis - www.fortiswindenergy.co.uk
Westwind - www.westwind.com.au (now made in Northern Ireland)
Southwest Windpower Skystream - www.skystreamenergy.com
Bergey - www.bergey.com]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4555#Comment_4555 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4555#Comment_4555 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:41:19 +0100 GBP-Keith http://www.provenenergy.com

Built in the UK even!]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4559#Comment_4559 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4559#Comment_4559 Tue, 10 Jul 2007 21:36:02 +0100 Rachel https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4584#Comment_4584 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4584#Comment_4584 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:38:07 +0100 Olly
I've seen a lot of architects include the QR turbines in their sketches as they look very good, but there aren't many actually installed as of yet. There was also a planner there having a look at these, she seemed very keen on them and gave the impression that they might be easier to get through planning than many of the traditional horizontal axis alternatives.

I think QR's capacity to manufacture these is not currently able to meet demand, so I think anyone wanting to order one could well be in for a long wait. Although QR are due to open a new factory in Wales this autumn to help meet demand.

It certainly looks like a great product with a lot of potential, but only time will tell.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4586#Comment_4586 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4586#Comment_4586 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:42:05 +0100 moogaloo
I love the idea and look of the QR turbines, but currently the cost is prohibative.

Do we think urban wind turbines will ever become a pratical solution using the vertical axis?]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4786#Comment_4786 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4786#Comment_4786 Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:46:59 +0100 Aguillar A local installer of Whisper and Proven units is visiting us this week, we shall see what advice they can offer!
So far:
Eoltec - a bit big for us!
Iskra AT5-1 - only installed by accredited installers, only on their towers and very £££- not suitable for DIY
Swift - haven't answered my email
Quiet revolution - £££
Fortis Paassat - not much power at low-med wind speeds, next size up too big
Westwind - expensive but interesting
Skystream - not certified in Europe yet
Bergey - not very powerful but interesting
Proven - we shall see
Future energy - bit worried about them [they advertised a 36V model that doesn't exist, and still mention it in their documentation]

Inclin 1500 or 3000 - maybe but no one has responded to my emails yet and someone has said that their turbines used to melt..
Wren Mistral - not very powerful and distributor network seems to have poor knowledge of product
WES5 - big but no response to emails again
Cyclones 1000, 2000, 3000 no response to emails
Whisper 175/500 possible, but have heard not suitable for windy sites]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4845#Comment_4845 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4845#Comment_4845 Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:12:28 +0100 John11668 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4851#Comment_4851 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4851#Comment_4851 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:40:08 +0100 biffvernon
http://www.newgreenjack.com/]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4852#Comment_4852 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4852#Comment_4852 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:00:36 +0100 Olly Posted By: biffvernonIt's a physics thing - pwer is a function of the square of the diameter - so bigger is better.
Agreed.

Of course power is also a function of the cube of the wind speed.

P = 0.5 x rho x A x V^3

P = Power (available)
Rho = Air Density
A = Swept Area (Pi*radius^2)
V = Wind Speed

Therefore location is just as important as size. In my opinion these small scale building mounted turbines are a waste of time, they are likely to massively under-perform as they get such poor airflow due to low average wind speeds and high levels of turbulence. There are also questions being raised about increased wear and decreased lifetimes of these units in turbulent locations.

I visited the Hockerton Housing Project (zero net carbon) earlier this year, they have two 6kW (or thereabouts) wind turbines mounted on 25 metre (approx) masts which are mainly surrounded by open country side. As sites go it's very good, however they're still only getting about 700kWh/year per kW (peak) of installed capacity. Therefore around 4200kWh/year per turbine. This is a lot less than many manufacturers are claiming for turbines of this size.

Take the Stuart Milne House built for Offsite 2007 on the BRE site, they've put 3 horizontal axis turbines on the roof and it's within about 100 feet of a building twice its height, so it comes as no surprise that they're generally either sitting idle or pointing in different directions trying to work out where the wind is coming from. I'm sure they'll claim that it's just a demonstration house, but it goes to show that you can't just plonk a wind turbine any old place and expect it to perform.

IMO, at this point in time large offshore turbines make the most sense, as it really all comes down to economies of scale.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4958#Comment_4958 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4958#Comment_4958 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 17:35:37 +0100 thenewoil Posted By: AguillarAnyone with recommendations on wind turbines please?
These days it seems there are options beyond the cheap Chinese versions or the expensive Proven ones...
The [off grid] site is an exposed hillside, with planning permission for a 11m wind turbine and a projected average wind speed of 4.4m/s at 10m. No neighbours for a long way.
Many thanks!

I have been learning a bit about wind turbines recently and it seems the vertial axis design is the up and coming one for smaller installations. There are a number of very interesting development is this type of design. Not least among these is a flexible rotor design by a young Irish student. Ireland is changing the planning laws to allow domestic installations without fuss.

I have been detailing what I have been learning about wind turbines on my blog if you care to take a look: http://wood-pellet-ireland.blogspot.com/. There is a very interesting Chinese VAWT reported which can withstand up to 90mph winds and still operate!! The price is also reasonable - however it is an untried quantity.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4965#Comment_4965 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4965#Comment_4965 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:13:53 +0100 Keith Hall https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4984#Comment_4984 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=4984#Comment_4984 Mon, 23 Jul 2007 23:00:35 +0100 ted https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=5009#Comment_5009 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=451&Focus=5009#Comment_5009 Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:38:52 +0100 GBP-Keith