Friday 18 May 12
Micro renewables - Wind
Small-scale wind turbines generate electricity through harnessing the power of the wind. These may be free standing (e.g. on a tall mast) or attached to buildings (e.g. ‘roof-mounted’). The wind causes the blades to rotate, driving a generator, converting the energy to electricity. This electricity may be consumed by the immediate premises only, or can be linked to the electricity meter, allowing excess or unused electricity to feed into the national grid.
Location is key to the success of the turbine in generating electricity, which is dependent on both the speed and direction of the wind, and as such small-scale turbines are often more suited to rural areas, where buildings are less likely to interfere with air flow. This section provides more detailed information about small-scale wind energy developments.
- Government Documents
- Other Documents
- Other Resources
- Organisations
- Resource Classification
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- Bird risk behaviours and fatalities at the Altamont Pass wind resource area
- Ref:
- 0053-GovC
- Author:
- Thelander, C. Smallwood, K. & Rugge, L., 2003, February 2009
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/33829.pdf
- Comprehensive report about the notorious Altamount Pass Wind Resource Area in California. Goes beyond counting fatalities by looking at interactions between various bird species and the wind turbines suggesting that, with further research, mitigation measures to significantly reduce bird fatalities in the areas will be possible, focussing on turbine size, layout, swept area and blade speed as well as the impact of turbines on increasing predators who prey on the various bird species suffering in the area.v show details
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- Building Regulations 2000: Part L2A Conservation of fuel and power (emissions factors)
- Ref:
- 0485-GovC
- Author:
- Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, April 2006
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_...
- A document on the conservation of fuel and power in new buildings, other than dwellings.v show details
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- Council directive on the conservation of wild birds
- Ref:
- 0292-GovC
- Author:
- EU, February 1979
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/e...
- This report contains details of the directive and amending acts with a mission to provide long-term protection and conservation of all bird species naturally living in the wild within the European territory of the member states. (79/409/EEC)v show details
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- Council directive on the conservation of wild birds
- Ref:
- 0091-GovC
- Author:
- EU, January 1979
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1373
- Adopted by the European Community in response to the Bern Convention; providing a framework for the conservation, management of, and human interactions with, wild birds in Europe. (2009/147/EC)v show details
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- Council directive: Habitats directive
- Ref:
- 0095-GovC
- Author:
- EU, January 1992
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexU...
- Adopted by the European Community in response to the Bern Convention. (92/43/EEC)v show details
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- Government statement regarding the findings of the Salford University report (wind turbine noise)
- Ref:
- 0308-GovC
- Author:
- BERR, January 2007
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file40571.pdf
- Government statement regarding the findings of the Salford University report into Aerodynamic Modulation of Wind Turbine Noise. The statement described the background to the commissioning of the University of Salford study and its findings. Based on these findings, Government does not consider there to be a compelling case for further work into aerodynamic modulation and will not carry out any further research at this time; however it will continue to keep the issue under review. (URN 07/1276)v show details
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- Guide to evaluation of human exposure to vibration in buildings
- Ref:
- 0306-GovC
- Author:
- British Standards Institutue, January 1992
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- www.bsi-global.com/en/Shop/Publication-D...
- This is a guide to an evaluation of human exposure to vibration in buildings (1Hz to 80Hz). Click on link and type in BS code in search box on left of screen. British Standard BS 6472 (vibration).v show details
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- A review of published research on low frequency noise and its effects
- Ref:
- 0307-GovN
- Author:
- Dr Geoff Leventhall (assisted by Dr Peter Pelmear and Dr Stephen Benton) for Defra, May 2003
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- westminsterresearch.wmin.ac.uk/4141/1/Be...
- A report focusing on the data available regarding the impact of low frequency noise on human behaviour, sleep periods, task performance and social attitudes. The sources, symptoms, limits and thresholds are discussed with examples. Specific reference to wind turbines and human health is made in section 13.2 (p 54). The report has been written for local authorities, environmental action groups, low-frequency noise-sufferers, health professionals and acousticians.v show details
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- Bankable models which enable local community wind farm ownership
- Ref:
- 0269-GovN
- Author:
- BERR, November 2006
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file38707.pdf
- This report has been produced to establish reliable and "bank-approved" models of project commercial and financing structure that enable community ownership without great complexity. Part of a suite of papers providing guidance on good practice and community involvement in wind energy developments. See also: 'Delivering community benefits from wind energy development: A Toolkit', 'The Protocol for Public Engagement with Proposed Wind Energy Developments in England' and 'Onshore Wind Energy Planning Conditions Guidance Note'.v show details
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- Community benefits from wind power
- Ref:
- 0331-GovN
- Author:
- Centre for Sustainable Energy with Garrad Hassan, January 2005
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.cse.org.uk/pdf/pub1049.pdf
- Subtitled 'A study of UK practice and comparison with leading European countries' this study, carried out for for Renewables Advisory Board and DTI, sought to establish a firmer evidence base about the scale and nature of community benefits and the processes involved in negotiating benefits in the UK. Section 5 addresses the UK situation and section 7 compares the UK experience with other European Countries. A number of the recommendations proposed by this report have since been taken forward - see 'Delivering community benefits from wind energy development, A Toolkit' and 'The Protocol for Public Engagement with Proposed Wind Energy Developments in England/Scotland/Wales'. (DTI URN: 05/1322)v show details
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- Community benefits from wind power: Policy maker's summary
- Ref:
- 0332-GovN
- Author:
- Centre for Sustainable Energy with Garrad Hassan, January 2005
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file30194.pdf
- The summary of a study carried out for Renewables Advisory Board and DTI to establish a firmer evidence base about the scale and nature of community benefits and the processes involved in negotiating benefits in the UK. See also 'Community benefits from wind power. A study of UK practice and comparison with leading European countries' for full report. (DTI URN: 05/2033).v show details
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- Cumulative effects of wind turbines (vol 3)
- Ref:
- 0298-GovN
- Author:
- Landscape Design Associates, January 2000
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17849.pdf
- This report examines the developing consensus on the assessment of cumulative wind farm effects upon birds. The paper recommends that planners, wind farm developers, consultees and other stakeholders should look at chapters 4 & 5 for details on particular species and circumstances where cumulative effects upon birds might be expected to arise. (BERR ref. URN 00/1747).v show details
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- Delivering community benefits from wind energy development: A toolkit
- Ref:
- 0333-GovN
- Author:
- Centre for Sustainable Energy with Peter Capener and BDOR Ltd, January 2005
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.cse.org.uk/pdf/pub1078.pdf
- This toolkit is designed for the Renewables Advisory Board and DTI to help to make meaningful community benefits more routine and systematic in UK wind energy projects. Part of a suite of papers providing guidance on good practice and community involvement in wind energy developments. See also: 'The Protocol for Public Engagement with Proposed Wind Energy Developments in England', 'Onshore Wind Energy Planning Conditions Guidance Note' and 'Bankable Models which enable local community wind farm ownership'. (DTI URN: 06/1817)v show details
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- Research into aerodynamic modulation of wind turbine noise
- Ref:
- 0309-GovN
- Author:
- University of Salford, January 2007
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file40570.pdf
- Commissioned by the Government following the publication of the Hayes McKenzie study, this research into aerodynamic modulation (AM) of wind turbine noise was produced by the University of Salford. It investigated claims that infrasound or low frequency noise emitted by wind turbine generators was causing health effects. The Salford University study concluded that although AM cannot be fully predicted, the incidence of AM resulting from wind farms in the UK is low. (URN 07/1235)v show details
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- The UK wind resource: Wind energy fact sheet 8
- Ref:
- 0266-GovN
- Author:
- Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform , January 2001
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17789.pdf
- This useful 4-page basic information sheet highlights the windiest places in the UK, and includes limitations on the use of wind energy and how much energy is available to the UK. The contacts given in 'how windy is it where I live?' are out of date. Access to the online wind speed database can be found on the BWEA and BERR websites.v show details
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- The economics of onshore wind energy: Wind energy fact sheet 3
- Ref:
- 0270-GovN
- Author:
- Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform , January 2001
- Type:
- External PDF File
- Link:
- www.berr.gov.uk/files/file17776.pdf
- This 5 page document describes the factors that influence the costs of generating electricity from wind energy, and also how much we pay for it. Contacts at the end of the paper are now out of date - see BERR website instead. (DTI ref. 05/980)v show details
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- Aeronautical and military impacts
- Ref:
- 0316-WebL
- Author:
- DECC, March 2009
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_d...
- An introduction to the consultation process for wind turbine developers and aeronautical and military bodies. Links on webpage to 'Wind energy and aviation interests - interim guidance' and a wind farm developers application proforma.v show details
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- DECC renewables: Wind
- Ref:
- 0167-WebL
- Author:
- DECC, March 2009
- Type:
- External Web Link
- Link:
- www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/what_we_d...
- DECC web pages with basic details about onshore wind, a wind-speed database and myth-buster. Also a section on planning and what you can do in your home.v show details
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