Yearly Archives: 2015

In line with the blog from last Friday which emphasised the point that oil prices will not adversely impact wind energy projects in the UK, an independent report by Cambridge Econometrics has gone further in stressing the importance of wind energy.

Previously, RenewableUK spokesperson Rob Norris explained that the fast changing and unpredictable price of oil is one reason why investing in renewable energy is a sensible approach.

Researcher from Cambridge Econometrics, Sophie Billington, has further argued that tapping into the potential of wind power would reduce the UK’s reliance on fossil fuels and ensure we have access to a rich energy mix.

Having a short-sighted approach to the energy dilemma will mean the UK becomes increasingly dependent on imported fuel and will also mean we are at risk of not achieving our legally binding climate change targets.

At this time of the year we are typically struggling with heavy frost and snow fall, but instead the UK is being battered by strong winds.

Fine Energy own and operate 10 small scale wind turbines on the Orkney Islands and, once we had contacted the turbine manufacturers, we were quick to inform landowners that the turbines were ok to be left on despite predicted speeds of up to 100 mph!

Chaos was anticipated and chaos ensued. Trees fell blocking roads, ferries were unable to sail, schools and nurseries were forced to close and nearly 100,000 properties were left without power in the UK .The highest low level wind speed was recorded at 3am on Friday 9 January 2015 at Stornoway Airport, with gusts measuring 113 mph. Flood alerts have been issued and people are being told to take extra precautions when leaving their homes.

Thankfully, everyone we have spoken to is fine and in addition the wind turbines performed heroically!

Paris is a fashion capital, known for elegant designs and timeless classics and it is now setting the trend for stylish wind turbines. Designers (or technically manufacturers) have based their model on a classic park tree and NewWind hope the wind turbine will be less visually intrusive and may even offer a calming presence.

Measuring 11 meters tall, eight meters in diameter and featuring 72 artificial leaves -which are actually tiny turbines- a wind tree is expected to generate 3.1kW. They are completely silent and the aim is to install them among real trees in public parks.

Will birds notice the difference? Only time will tell.

Watch the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPMvISx3hr0