|
A new Carbon Trust study into the potential of small-scale wind energy has found that small wind turbines could provide up to 1.5 Terawatt Hours (TWh) per year of electricity (0.4% of total UK electricity consumption) and 0.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) emission savings. This is based on 10% of households installing turbines at costs competitive with grid electricity, which is currently around 12p per kWh.
The study also indicates that for the UK as a whole, the majority of electricity and carbon savings are available from small turbines in rural areas - four times as much as urban areas irrespective of costs, and considerably more given economic drivers. This is mainly due to wind speeds generally being higher in rural areas. Turbines in some rural locations could provide cheaper electricity than the grid, but it appears that in many urban situations, roof-mounted turbines may not pay back their embedded carbon emissions.
The report published today marks the culmination of 18 months research by the Met Office and Entec, and is partly intended for government policy makers. It makes important recommendations to improve existing policy measures, including that:
• A criterion should be used in any new grant schemes to measure likely carbon savings. This is to help ensure grants are awarded to installations which save reasonable amounts of carbon; and
• Higher height limits for stand-alone turbines should be allowed under permitted development rights. This is to help maximise the overall carbon savings of small-scale wind energy, given the sensitivity of electricity generation to height.
The report will also interest businesses and public sector organisations, in giving practical advice about how to evaluate the suitability of sites for small turbines.
Commenting on the report, Dr Mark Williamson, Director of Carbon Trust Innovations, said:
“Small-scale wind energy is attracting growing interest, and at the Carbon Trust we are receiving increasing enquiries from organisations considering installing small turbines. It’s vital that people understand the wind resources available to them, and we hope they find the guidance in our report useful.
“As one of a number of microgeneration technologies with a role to play in our future energy supply, we also believe it is essential that government policies and public funding encourage carbon savings from small wind turbines most effectively. This is why we’re making recommendations about grant support and planning.”
Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, said:
"Small-scale power generation like wind turbines can turn the concerned individual in to an active citizen in the fight against climate change. We are currently working to ease the planning rules for small wind turbines so more homeowners can install them with the minimum of fuss.
"The Carbon Trust's report provides useful advice on the potential of micro-wind. We will use these findings as we develop our policies to dramatically increase the amount of energy the UK generates from renewable sources."
Alex Murley, Small Wind Systems Manager at BWEA, added:
“Britain has the best wind conditions in Europe, as well as a world-leading manufacturing base for small wind turbines. As we see small wind energy really start to take off, with increasing year-on-year sales of small turbines for both domestic and export markets, this report provides helpful clarifications about the nature of the UK wind resource and recommendations to maximise energy generation. This is essential as we move towards increasing supplies of clean, green renewable energy.”
Cathy Durston, Head of Consulting at the Met Office, said:
“We’ve been pleased to work with the Carbon Trust in this research to develop a better scientific understanding of this important area of renewable energy. With the increasing threat of climate change, it’s important we understand the sustainable energy resources available to us. Wind speeds vary considerably and since speed it is key determinant of power, the performance of small wind turbines is very sensitive to their location. This research has shed new light on the best locations for turbines to be installed. We hope now to use our expertise to expand this important work to other renewable energy projects.”
A copy of the report can be accessed at: www.carbontrust.co.uk/smallwind.
|