Wind Power To The People
Author: Mike Butcher
What NEED does this meet?
Everyone needs electricity. Currently Britain’s energy needs are meet largely through non-renewable means. Electricity generation is also mostly from greenhouse gas-producing plants. This project is designed to reduce our need for grid-networked power, increase self-reliance, reduce carbon emissions, reduce the need for more nuclear power stations and ultimately slow global warming.
What is the APPROACH?
The plan: Produce a web site with data sources on Wind-speed based on postcode, generated from the DTI’s UK Wind Speed Database:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/renewables-explained/wind-energy/page27326.html
The approach: Link ordinary people with simple information on how to produce their own renewable power from their home by putting the data sources and equipment outlets needed into one place.
The idea is that people should be able to plug in their postcode and see if the average annual windspeed at their location would be enough to produce power which could offset their reliance on the national grid and power simple electrical home applicances. Armed with data that their location has the potential to produce “X” amount of electricity and the predicted annual saving this represents, they would then be linked to a range of retail outlets which provide DIY or serviced installation of household wind turbines. In addition links to local authority departments to consult on planning permission and government grants would be useful. (Note: planning restrictions for household wind turbines were recently relaxed in the latest budget).
What are the BENEFITS to people?
This project would bring cheaper power to thousands of homes, reduce annual power bills and thus (if enacted en masse) reduce the need for new nuclear power stations.
What is the COMPETITION?
There are no other services out there that I know of. The idea must win because if it doesn’t Britain wil be condemned to build yet more wasteful and polluting power stations. The simple fact is that people do not know how to reduce their electricity consumption, so they must be encouraged to generate it more locally and take the pressure off the national grid.
What BUDGETS & LOGISTICS are required?
The DTI’s UK Wind Speed Database is provided free:
http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/renewables-explained/wind-energy/page27326.html
But it currently uses a round-about way of generating postcode data (actually linking here http://www.streetmap.co.uk/streetmap.dll?GridConvert? to do this!).
This needs to be done more simply.
Then links need to be generated telling people how much energy their location’s average wind speed could generate and how to apply for government grants for wind power and potential reatilers, such as:
http://www.windtrap.co.uk/Wind_Turbine_Kits/Home_System_Budget.htm
A website that is powered by hot air…
I’m sure many of them could be sources for the raw material…
How finegrained is the DTI wind speed data? Would it be applicable to peoples’ houses?
e.g. It might be really windy at my nearest weather measuring station, but my house might be in a dip surrounded by tower blocks with barely enough breeze to set a wind-chime ringing.
Nice idea though if the data’s up to it.
Good point on the wind data – but it might still be worthwhile to just provide a simple calculator to work out possible electricity savings from wind power in their area.
I haven’t read up on the technical info but why limit yourself to wind power? Why not make it ‘Power For The People’ and broaden it to include cleanies like solar, biofuel, wave power and hydroelectric that aren’t necessarily generated ‘on-site’?
Thats a nice idea but it think its simple enough to just do on your own.
As others have pointed out the DTI’s data isn’t actually that useful , it also gives you three different hights (4.5 m , 10m and 15m i think).
To be truely usefull this site would need to compensate for that .
I have built a spreadsheet which will give you the amount of power a turbine of a given size can generate from a given amount of wind.
Let me know if you want the formulas.
I like Paul’s point about widening it to other energies, but I think what it would end up being is an calculator for people to work out which green energy tarif to go for. That may be fine – and I guess it could included stuff about how much carbon emissions you would take out of the atmosphere. But my overall general point is that – and I think many would agree – is that we need to reduce our dependence on all polluting energy (including nuclear, now it’s back on the UK agenda). We can do that by reducing our consumption, and switching to other methods. But the ultimate switch is to start producing power IN THE HOME – going off the grid as much as possible. If you can show people how much energy they can produce at home via wind (solar even), and how much that would save them, then that’s an insentive worth promoting and developing.
I’ve been working with some friends to create a Wiki that allows people to share solutions to environmental and social justice issues caused by modern living.
It sounds like you’re the perfect person to assist with content on the wind-power section. Why not share your knowledge at wikigoodglobe dot org
Would windspeed data for a post code help? I know that my postcode is several square KM’s and there are hills, troughs, builidngs etc, so one spot withing the postcode is completely different from another.Your postcode would not be able to tell you if it is a good idea or not. I would try latitudes and longitudes instead.
Actually, the Wind Speed data available is not postcode driven but based on an Ordnance Survey Grid reference.
Hi Amais,
Would you mind sending me the formulas – jmg at talk21.com?
Thanks, Jim
sorry, Amias
Hi Guys, does anyone know where yuo’d get daily wind data?
Jim
airtricity.com have something a bit like this at
http://www.airtricity.com/england/wind_farms/
though it’s at a much larger scale.
Hi
Have you had anyluck with the developing the site that you proposed – I am currently developing a site to promote the greater use of renewable energy sources and was looking for the exact thing
many thanks
Richard
In short no. I presume, as I haven’t heard anything, that MySociety didn’t think the idea was worth developing as a site. Hey ho – I should imagine someone will do it though, in one form or another.
Hi,
I’m a final year industrial design student from Northumbria Univeristy. I’m currently undertaking a project concerning the design of a domestic wind turbine system. Although a large section of society are beginning to view green issues more favourably I think that the vaiety of turbines currently on the market aren’t very desirable (they can be hard to install/maintain and look rather uninspiring). I aim to design a contemporary wind turbine which not only functions excellently but is also highly desirable through it’s aesthetics. I’m still in the inital research stages of the project and would greatly appreciate any help/advice on the subject. Thanks guys.
how do you go about getting a grant for a wind tower.
Government grants are available depending on the country you live in. I suggest checking with your local council or city hall to see what they have to offer you.
Make sure you confront them with a well planned proposal of what you wish to achieve from the constuction of a wind tower, and include figures, and a basic knowledge of wind energy for them to take you seriously.
By the way, have you checked to make sure your surrounding are can support a wind turbine, as many sites will not be efficient for turbines. In this case, i would reccomend a solar panel.
I think the key to the future is wind turbines and solar power. Right now they are still expensive, but as more and more are built the cost in production goes down.