Category Archives: UK small wind scene

Iskra turbine on UK ebay

Posted on 25/09/2011 by hugh

If you are quick then you can get an Iskra windpower system for £7,500.  Iskra is the old name for Evance and the machine is similar to the Evance R9000 But you will not get Feed in Tariffs, and you … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 1 Comment

UK certification scheme list gets shorter

Posted on 24/09/2011 by hugh

The list of small wind tubines that hold the coveted MCS certification is growing shorter as time goes by.  In order the qualify for the lucrative Feed in Tariffs, you need to own a turbine on this list.  Recently the … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 27 Comments

Calculating the energy production of a wind turbine

Posted on 21/09/2011 by hugh

The bottom line with a wind turbine is how much energy it produces.  Do not confuse this with the maximum power output!  Rated power output is only achieved at rated windspeed, which will only occur from time to time.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene, wind systems tutorial | 5 Comments

Proven Wind Turbines go bust.

Posted on 17/09/2011 by hugh

Proven Energy have gone bust.  Here is a good source of information: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2109634/proven-energy-cash-crisis also http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/271863 and http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,14973.0.html I was a big supporter of the Proven wind turbine in the 1990s.  It’s built like a tank in contrast to so many flimsy … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 30 Comments

Trends in the small wind industry

Posted on 09/09/2011 by hugh

David Sharman of Ampair has given me his presentation slides intended for the Small is.. conference, and has permitted me to publish them on this blog.  They are worth a look for anyone interested in the past and future of … Continue reading →

Posted in People, UK small wind scene | Leave a comment

Is small scale wind a truly appropriate technology in developing countries?

Posted on 06/09/2011 by hugh

Thanks to Robin Lovelace for these videos of a debate at the Small Is… Festival 2011 between Teo Sanchez (Practical Action), David Sharman (Ampair), Aran Eales (V3 Power), and David Howey (Oxford University).  The debate was ably chaired by Steven Hunt.  … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, developing world, People, UK small wind scene, Video links | Leave a comment

Windspeed database still being abused!

Posted on 03/09/2011 by hugh

This is another rant against misleading salesmen in the small wind industry. There is a computer model called NOABL that maps the theoretical windspeed over a UK landscape with no trees or buidings.  Properly informed experts have always known that … Continue reading →

Posted in Rooftop madness, UK small wind scene | 2 Comments

V3 now sell complete wind turbine kits!

Posted on 12/08/2011 by hugh

These bespoke kits comprise of a set of three hand-carved blades, a complete alternator, mounting and an electrical system. We have been building these turbines for over 5 years and as a result you can expect the highest degree of … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, People, products/technical, UK small wind scene | Leave a comment

Eoltec 6kW turbine is MCS approved

Posted on 06/07/2011 by hugh

A (shortened) press release from Orkney wind energy company Bryan J Rendall Electrical: The Eoltec Scirocco, co-developed by Kirkwall company Bryan J Rendall Electrical (BJRE), is the first wind generator of its kind to meet Class 1 standards under the … Continue reading →

Posted in UK small wind scene | 27 Comments

Intelligent Charge Controller for Turbine or Solar Use

Posted on 23/04/2011 by hugh

The Karasouli ICC is a new small low cost charge control and datalogging device for small wind and solar applications.  I mention it here because I hope it will be useful to readers – I have no commercial interest. These … Continue reading →

Posted in People, products/technical, UK small wind scene | Leave a comment