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Wind Turbines
The Evance Iskra R9000 is probably the most sought after small wind turbine available. Being the "next generation" of small wind turbines, it fully integrates the very best of existing technologies with major new patented innovations. The result is an attractive turbine with uncompromising performance and excellent reliability.

The R9000 is the first turbine to be equipped with Reactive PitchTM technology, a unique control concept developed and patented by Evance. Reactive PitchTM, a significant advancement of passive pitch technology, guarantees that the blades will capture exactly the right amount of energy according to the wind speed and generator loading conditions.

The Evance Iskra R9000 will start generating at only 2.4m/s; lower than any other turbine. Enjoy the benefits of the latest technologies

At low to moderate wind speeds the Reactive PitchTM mechanisim captures the maximum energy possible from the wind by holding the blades with absolute precision at the maximum efficiency position. The blades are high efficiency aerofoil sections specially optimised to work in tandem with Reative PitchTM.

At higher wind speeds, when the energy in the wind exceeds the maximum capacity of the generator, the R9000’s unique Reactive PitchTM mechanism automotically pitches the blades. This regulates energy capture, rotor speed, and the loads experienced by the turbine structure. It will therefore capture the full 5kW power, and the reduction in stresses mean that the R9000 offers greater safety and survivability. A particular unique feature of Reactive PitchTM is that rotor speed (and thus structural loads) are automatically regulated, whatever the wind or generator conditions, including grid failure.

The R9000 also has a patented high-efficiency generator which converts up to 96% of the energy captured from the wind into useful electricity. The generator is specifically designed for the R9000, and is integrated into the turbine's rotor. This eliminates the need for a spinning shaft or 'brush' type contacts. Fewer moving parts means greater reliability.





There's no mechanical brake, eliminating the usual issues with such devices. Instead, there's the patented ElectroBrakeTM, an integrated electro-dynamic brake which uses the generator to safely stop the machine whatever the wind speed. It can be operated manually, or activates automatically as a redundant safety feature in the unlikely event of rotor overspeed.

The combination of Reactive PitchTM and the ElectroBrakeTM mean there is no need for noisy gearboxes, complex speed regulation systems including 'dump loads' or mechanical brakes. Every aspect of the R9000 has been carefully thought out and integrated to assure maximum safety, efficiency and reliability.

Munster Wind Turbines as an ISKRA approved installer ensures that you will get the best service from sales to after care and periodic maintenance - when you need it. All this from the same company, no sub-contractors or third party companies.

Munster Wind Turbines know your site and circumstances, they know your turbine and will work on all aspects of the project with you to ensure a great experience of going green.


ISKRA Wind Turbine Video Clip Controls for Wind Turbine Video Clip

FARM CASE STUDY

Maximum energy benefit with minimal environmental impact.

Purpose: Electricity supply for lighting, electric central heating, electric cookers, and a stable block.

General System Description: AT5-1 Iskra Wind tree-sized wind turbine mounted on 12m guyed tower and grid connected.
Location Hebden Bridge North Yorkshire.

In February 2005 A leading sustainable North Yorkshire farmer invested in an ISKRA Wind turbine to pioneer the technology in a remote high wind speed area. Planning permission was granted close to the edge of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with no impact on the local designation or environmental impact. Such is the level of energy generated, the owner has provided power for lighting, electric central heating, and electric cookers, and a stable block.


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FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the Wind Turbine

Will the turbine have an impact on TV and radio reception?
How noisy is the R9000 wind turbine?
Will I have a problem with ‘flicker’ from the turbine blades?
Can I mount my turbine on the roof of one of my buildings?
How much space do I need for a turbine?
What is the best tower type and height for me?
Is my site windy enough?
Will the turbine impact wildlife?
Is bird-strike likely to be a problem?




Will the turbine have an impact on TV and radio reception?

The Evance Iskra R9000 wind turbine is unlikely to disrupt TV and radio signals as it is a refined design specifically meeting the requirements of a small scale renewable energy source. The materials used to make the R9000 turbine are unlikely to create electromagnetic interference (EMI) by "chopping up" a signal.
Any problems should be identified in the planning process and Evance will ensure that appropriate advice is given as to the best possible location for your turbine.


How noisy is the R9000 wind turbine?

The R9000 has been designed to be very quiet indeed. The rotor design and in particular, the low rotor tip speed, coupled with the direct drive system (no gearbox), all ensure quiet operation. As a general rule, the nearest neighbouring residents to the wind turbine should be more than 100m away from the wind turbine base The sound from the wind turbine is however gentle in tone, and it would be quite reasonable to locate the wind turbine less than 75m from your home .


Will I have a problem with ‘flicker’ from the turbine blades?

Potentially, reflection from the blades, or the shadow from the blades in the rising and setting sun, causes a flickering effect. The design and coatings used on the turbine have been selected to minimise the reflection problem. The possibility of the shadow from the wind turbine causing flickering should be considered at the site selection stage. It is normally possible to avoid this problem.


Can I mount my turbine on the roof of one of my buildings?


This is probably the most asked question of any, and the one to which there is the least agreement in the entire worldwide small wind industry, as to the correct answer. Evance does not currently supply a wind turbine that can be mounted onto a roof and does not generally recommend a small wind generator in an urban environment.
Mike Bergey, head of the world’s largest small turbine manufacturer has been quoted as saying he:
“wishes people would stop asking us about mounting turbines on buildings”
Paul Gipe, one of America’s most respected small wind experts says;
“Mounting wind turbines--of any kind--on a building is a very bad idea. I've yet to see an application where this has worked or will likely work.”
What is however clear, and accepted by (nearly) everyone is that, if you are going to mount a turbine on a roof then you have to consider some issues, which are more prevalent than with a mast mounted rural one;
There will be increased turbulence and this will result in higher stresses on the turbine and lower energy capture for any given wind speed.

There will be more people living and working near the turbine so increased margins of safety need to be applied, and lower noise generated.

Extra measures may need to be taken to limit the transmission of vibrations into the structure of the building.

The average wind speed in a town or city environment will be a lot less than in a similar rural location, and this will significantly reduce the annual energy capture.


How much space do I need for a turbine?


Ideally, the turbine should be sited as far away as possible from buildings or trees, which may block the wind and cause turbulence. As a guide, the wind generator should be about twice the height of obstructions in front of it (for at least the prevailing wind direction). This test should be applied for all obstructions that are within a distance from the wind turbine of 20 times the height of each obstruction. See the diagram below.
As an example, if there is a 7m high building then the turbine should be sited 7 X 20m away, i.e. 140m, or on a 15m tower (being more than 2X the height of the building). This is especially important where the obstruction is between the turbine and the prevailing wind.

What is the best tower type and height for me?


Our standard towers are 9, 12 and 15m metres high. In general, the higher the tower, the higher the average wind speed that the turbine will experience, and it is normally the case that a taller tower will generate sufficient extra energy to justify it's additional cost, especially if there are local obstacles to be avoided.
Compared to a 12m tower, a 15m tower may increase the annual energy by 15% and a 9m tower may reduce it by 15%. If however there are local obstructions, then the impact of changes in the tower height could be larger.
For sites where there are obstructions near the turbine, a tall tower may be needed to get the turbine above the turbulence created by nearby trees or buildings, as illustrated by the diagram to the left.
The taller the tower, the more the cost of the tower, the foundations and the installation, so you should not simply ask for the tallest tower that is available, but if the turbine is to be located near (< 200m) to surrounding obstacles, then a taller tower may be the best option.
Other factors, such as planning, may dictate the maximum height of tower you are able to install and some areas of the world.
Tower Type
Depending upon the type of the turbine, Iskra can offer either a free-standing tower, or a guyed tower.

Guyed towers will tend to be used in rural locations, and have four guy wires going from the middle of the tower to concrete ground pads. They use slightly less steel than a free standing tower, but would not be considered suitable where people would be around the turbine a lot, as you don't want to risk damage to the guy wires
A free-standing tower or "monopole" has no guy wires, but stands on a single concrete foundation with no other supporting structure. In many cases the choice is really down to personal preference, as to which one you prefer to look at.


Is my site windy enough?


Wind speed varies with time, from nothing on calm days to occasional violent gusts. If the wind speed at a site is recorded over a year, it will be seen to vary about a mean wind speed value. This is the annual mean wind speed (AMWS) and is an indication of how much wind energy is available. In Europe, the AMWS could be as low as 4 m/s (9.0 mph) for an inland site to around 8 m/s (13 mph) or higher on the most exposed sites.
In general, you need an AMWS of at least 5 m/s to be able to generate a reasonable amount of energy, and ideally more than 5.5 m/s. The Evance Iskra R9000 works well at low wind speeds, but because the energy available in the wind is a function of the cube of its speed, there is very little energy available to be harvested at wind speeds less than 4 m/s.
The height of the tower can also have a significant impact as described in our 'What is the best tower type and height for me?' answer.
Seasonal Variations
Another thing to bear in mind is that there is normally more wind in the winter months than the summer ones. A wind turbine is therefore a very good match for heating and lighting requirements which are of course needed more in winter, but maybe not so well matched to air conditioning needs.
Wind Direction
In order for the turbine to be effective, it must have access to a good wind resource. This is one of the most difficult things to asses but in general the further away from buildings and trees, the better the average wind speed will be. This is especially true for any obstacles which are in the direction of the prevailing wind.
Hills and Valleys
An important consideration is that of valleys and hills. Wind speeds up as it nears the top of a slope and slows down considerably on the other side of hill as it descends into the valley. The exact impact of this effect is very dependant upon the exact local conditions but the diagram to the right gives a good indication of the impact of this. This can have a dramatic effect on the energy that the wind turbine will generate.
Urban Environments
Evance does not generally recommend a small wind generator in an urban environment as the AMWS in a town or city is likely to be substantially lower than in a rural environment and this will significantly reduce the annual energy output. This is due to the cumulative impact of the buildings that may surround the wind generator causing increased drag on the available wind and possibly severe turbulence.
Wind Speed Measurement
One thing you can do is actually measure your wind speed with an anemometer, which simply measures the wind speed. When this is connected however to a data logger, you can collect and analyse your average wind speed over a period of time. You would need to measure the wind speed for a period of at least 3 years to get a truly accurate average, as the wind speed not only varies during a year, but you can get “windy” and “calm” years, which can make a significant difference. You can however measure for a much shorter period and correlate your reading with a local weather station.

Will the turbine impact wildlife?


Do wind turbines frighten livestock and wildlife?
Evance and the relevant planning authority aim to ensure that all turbines are appropriately sited.
The Evance Iskra R9000 is a small wind turbine and therefore is unlikely to have a significant impact on surrounding livestock and wildlife. There is considerable evidence to suggest that sheep, cows and horses are not disturbed by wind turbines.
Livestock are able to graze in the same field as a turbine undisturbed by its presence. Similarly there is no evidence to suggest damage to other wildlife.

Is bird-strike likely to be a problem?
Bird-strike is not likely to be a problem. More information about this can be found on the following pages:

Danish Wind Industry Association: Birds and Wind Turbines

American Wind Energy Association: Putting Wind Power's Effect on Birds in Perspective, an article by Mick Sagrillo with a special section on 'Home-sized wind systems'

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds: Policy - Wind farms