Wind Turbines
Generate electricity from the power of the wind
The UK has the largest wind resource in Europe, making it an ideal country for generating electricity from wind power. Electricity demand is also higher in the winter when average wind velocities are higher. The turbines used by electricity utilities may have a maximum height exceeding 100 metres (blade tip height). However the smaller turbines used by farms, factories or hospitals, are likely to have blade tip heights between 25 and 80 metres depending on the turbine chosen. One example is the Gaia 133, which is an 11kW turbine. This has a maximum blade tip height in the range 21 to 33 metres depending on the type of tower chosen . Planning permission is required however to install a wind turbine.
The power generated from a wind turbine is proportional to the cube of the wind velocity. It is therefore important that turbines are sited at locations with high wind speeds. Nearby obstructions like trees, hills or buildings may reduce the wind speed or cause turbulence.
