Wind Yield Estimation Tool
Terms and conditions of use
The user understands and acknowledges the following:
Purpose of the tool
- The following terms and conditions apply to the Carbon Trust Wind Yield Estimation Tool, and are in addition to those generally applicable to the Carbon Trust website.
- This tool is intended to help users estimate long-term annual mean wind speeds, energy yields of small wind turbines (below 50kW installed capacity) and carbon savings due to these yields abating grid electricity at locations across the mainland UK. The tool does not give other information which is relevant to investigating a site’s suitability for wind energy generation, such as safety and any local environmental impacts. Expert advice should be sought on such matters.
- It is important to understand that the tool’s estimates are based on a simplified model of wind speeds and local physical conditions. The estimates may vary from conditions actually experienced in practice, depending on various local factors (eg sheltering caused by nearby ground features). The tool does not include data about such factors nor any functionality to model them in detail, and it may be appropriate to collect such data and undertake modelling separately. Also, the tool is not a substitute for local anemometry measurements, which, should the tool’s estimates indicate that a site is attractive for wind energy generation, should be undertaken before a small turbine is installed.
- To date, there is very limited empirical evidence of the performance of small wind turbines in certain locations, particularly locations in urban/built-up areas. The Energy Saving Trust and other parties are currently undertaking field trials which will gather such data and draw conclusions about turbine performance. Due to the lack of empirical data, it is not possible to empirically verify the tool’s methodology and results at the present time. While this may be undertaken in future, users should be aware of this limitation for the time being, therefore the tool’s estimates should be regarded only as indicative.
- Users of the tool should download and read the PDF user guide in the following page titled ‘Introduction’, and may also find the following two reports helpful:
- The tool is intended primarily for customers of the Carbon Trust, typically UK businesses and public sector organisations. The Carbon Trust is able to provide limited telephone support to such users, via the Carbon Trust helpline (0800 085 2005, helpline@carbontrust.co.uk).
- The tool is for guidance purposes only. Neither the Carbon Trust nor its consultants involved in the tool’s design and assembly accept any liability for the validity of the tool’s results or any decisions based upon these.