Friday, October 23, 2009

http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco.py/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=119&listitemid=2562

Call for help to wean small wind turbines off subsidies
Monday 27 April 2009

Small wind turbines are twice as cost effective as solar photovoltaic panels, producing power that is approaching the average cost of grid electricity, according to manufacturer Iskra.

The company based in Loughborough believes that if the government supported a move to mass produce turbines in this country, manufacturers could cut costs by up to half.

Producing turbines in sufficient numbers, Iskra believes small wind turbines could generate decentralised electricity without the need for subsidies.

Speaking at last week's International Small Wind Conference, the company's chief executive Pete Allen said that ignoring micro-turbines, small turbines of the order of 5 to 15kW output could now generate power at 15 pence per kWh.

This, he said, compared to 30 pence per unit for solar PV panels and 35p for diesel generators. Mr Allen put large wind turbines at 10p per unit, similar to grid electricity.

However, he said the turbines were currently only made in their hundreds each year, and that if the government provided funding to allow manufacturers to mass produce the systems, they could generate competitive electricity without the need for subsidies.

Iskra wants the government to offer funding for manufacturers to redesign their turbines to be made in large numbers, and drive demand through large public procurement orders.

Mr Allen, a former McLaren Mercedes engineer, said: "These turbines have the same manufacturing cost as a Ford Focus - but the Focus has four times the mass and 30 times the number of components. If we can increase the volume in the market, we can take 80% of the cost of manufacturing out - and 50% of the cost of installing.

"The UK leads on this technology - but we need to make them in large quantities," he added, warning that with the USA now boosting research and development funding, Britain could lose its head start on foreign competitors in the small wind market.

"The cycle of high volume, high demand can only be started by government," he said.

Iskra has been making its 5kW AT5-1 turbine since 2003, and currently sells around 300-400 units a year.

The AT5-1 turbine is generally used in rural and semi-rural locations, mounted to lamppost-sized towers, generating enough power for a property with enough left over to supply to the grid.

The UK leads on this technology - but we need to make them in large quantities.
Pete Allen, IskraOn a 12 metre pole, with wind speeds of around five metres per second average, the device can generate about 9,000 kWh of power a year - a "useful" amount, according to Mr Allen.

Iskra refuses to allow its turbines to be installed in urban areas, where wind speeds are lacking, operating a "safe siting" policy through its network of approved installers.

The company's factory in Loughborough has the capability to produce about 80-100 a month, and Mr Allen said he was hopeful that sales should pick up as a result of last week's Budget announcement and under spending promises made by the US government.

Iskra currently exports about 20-25% of its output, but Mr Allen said export levels could reach 50% by the end of this year.

Speaking to New Energy Focus, Mr Allen said if the government helped to kick start the small wind turbine industry, people could have turbines offering a five-year payback time.

"We will say: buy a wind turbine, and after five years you will have free energy for the next 15," he said.

Related links: Iskra

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