Graham – Page 20 – Fine Energy

Planning permission for World’s largest commercial wave farm

Situated off the north-west coast of Lewis, Aquamarine Power has been granted the permission to install a 40MW wave farm consisting of 40-50 devices, making it the largest commercial wind farm in the world and able to support approximately 30,000 homes.

Aquamarine power will begin installing the Oyster devices in the next few years, following grid infrastructure being out in place by energy company SSE, in order to transfer the electricity from the hydroelectric plant to mainland Scotland. The company received their planning for the onshore hydroelectric power plant to be connected to the Oyster machines form Western Isles Council.

Wave energy received a further boost in May when Scottish Government Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Technology, Fergus Ewing, who was speaking at All Energy, Aberdeen, revealed that companies can apply for cash under the £18million Marine Renewables Commercialisation Fund (MRCF) from June. Previously schemes were categorised under wave and tidal energy, but due to 3 tidal energy projects recently securing financial support in Scottish waters from other sources such as the European Commission fund and UK government, resulting in the new scheme being entirely open to wave energy.

Wave energy, is a kinetic energy that is produced from the interaction of wind with water and therefore the creation of waves. The Oyster 800 is an oscillating body that is submerged or on the surface and is moved up and down, or back and forth by waves. The high pressure motion creates then drives an onshore hydroelectric generator.

Brits are big fans of renewables after all

It seems renewable energy, in particular wind power, has generated particularly bad press of late, with constant attacks from right-wing media and continual opposition to wind farms. However, despite this, it appears us Brits have nonetheless developed a love for renewables and the move towards a low-carbon future.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) carried out a survey last month which revealed that the UK has increased their support for renewables, including wind power, over the past year. It appears the negative media coverage has had no effect on public opinion and of the 2,000 people asked, support for wind power reached a 12 month high.

A spokesman from Renewables UK suggests that, “the media is in fact out of kilter with what’s really happening in the country”.

The results of the survey couldn’t come at a better time, just weeks before the government’s plans to detail how communities can access greater benefits from neighbouring wind turbines, which could potentially boost support even further.

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Davey said that the results of the survey couldn’t be better, and show that the public clearly supports the government’s efforts to continue to develop “low-carbon, home grown forms of energy”.

We’re at the Sustainability Show

Taunton is set to celebrate a free, family friendly weekend of fun and we’d love to see you there. Kicking off with Somerfest on Saturday 15^th June; a midsummer celebration with a carnival atmosphere, it’s followed up by the third annual Sustainability Show on Sunday 16^th June, incorporating Taunton’s first ever food festival, which was opened by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in 2011.

The gates open at 10am at Queens College and welcomes families to learn the importance of balancing economic development and planetary stewardship. Around 100 exhibitors and organisations will be attending with a variety of products and services, from renewable energy, to bees, poultry and food.

The country fair atmosphere with live music, cookery demonstrations and food outlets means you can celebrate Father’s Day with all the family.

Come and find our Fine Energy stand if you’re interested in wind energy generation and have any questions about whether your land is suitable for wind energy land rental. We’ll be able to tell you your wind speed in a matter of seconds using our web-based wind speed assessment programme and assess whether you could be eligible.

Contact us via our website, email us at helen.dean@fineenergy.co.uk or call us on 0121 449 4443 – we look forward to hearing from you.

Bladeless wind turbines: the future of wind energy?

Dutch researchers have recently been involved in creating a bladeless wind turbine, which produces electricity through charged water droplets instead of turning blades.

Currently, wind turbines produce electricity by converting kinetic energy from the rotating blades into electrical energy. The bladeless turbine, known as the Ewicon (Electrostatic Wind Energy CONverter) can create electricity directly from the wind.

The turbine works by displacing charged particles in the opposite direction of an electrical field. Composed of a steel frame with around 40 rows of insulated tubes, each tube features electrodes which release positively charged water into the air. These particles would naturally move towards the negative electrode, however, the wind pushes them in the opposite direction, increasing the potential energy which can be collected.

One advantage of this new design is that it can come in a number of shapes and sizes, making it suitable for various sites. Additionally, there are no moving parts, meaning they are much quieter, and there is less mechanical wear and tear, reducing maintenance costs.

As it stands, small prototypes have been created but the company are seeking funds to create a larger model. Bladeless turbines could be the future of wind energy!

Acorn dairy farm produce first wind powered pint of milk

An organic dairy farm in Darlington has managed to produce its first pint of milk powered entirely by the wind turbine they recently installed on their land. Friends of the Earth hailed them as a prime example of a green company; making a difference to the environment through small-scale, local renewable generation, as well as helping to boost Britain’s job market.

Acorn Dairy produces 6 million bottles of milk every year for the surrounding area, employing 34 members of staff. The 67 metre high turbine now provides power for the entire farm and helps them save over 1,000 litres of diesel every week. They are even looking into replacing their diesel powered delivery vans with electric ones, also powered by the turbine.

With the move to renewable energy generation, Acorn Dairy have committed to reducing carbon pollution as well as saving themselves a great deal of money.

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