Press Release on ESB microgeneration
We sent out the following press release last night. INN took it up for their syndicated news service to local radio stations, and I’ve done two other interviews so far, as well as receiving heaps of enquires, so it seems to be welcome news!
ESB to purchase electricity from domestic wind turbines
The Commissioner for Energy Regulation has announced that the ESB is to buy electricity from so-called “micro generators” – householders who have their own wind generators or other renewable electricity systems. The price has been set at 9c per unit.
Turbotricity, an Irish company currently developing household wind turbines has welcomed the move. “Up to now, households with a wind turbine had to use a large bank of forklift batteries to store their power, involving additional costs and maintenance. It makes far more sense to sell surplus power to the grid and buy back extra energy when it is needed” said Quentin Gargan, MD of Turbotricity.
The company has argued that there is an opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in the production of domestic wind turbines. “We have the best wind in Europe, and a high percentage us live in one-off houses in good wind energy sites” said Gargan. “A turbine which has established a reputation for survival on our Atlantic coastline will find easy access to other EU markets”.
Turbotricity, based in West Cork, is launching a rugged 2.5Kw turbine designed for Atlantic conditions. On most sites, the company expects to install these for between less than €12,000, including a free-standing tower and grid controller. The company’s development has been hamstrung because up to now, ESB would not pay for surplus electricity which was simply spilled onto the grid.
“We strongly argued for a higher feed-in tariff to support this industry”, said Gargan. “When it comes to wind energy, the large turbines are dominated by other countries, against whom Irish industry can never hope to compete. However, domestic wind turbines are made with smaller components, all of which could easily be manufactured here, and it is important that Ireland develops a strong industry in this growing market sector. It is our aim to mass produce turbines and bring prices down so that safe and effective wind turbines can have a sensible payback time, and the current offering from ESB will certainly help”.
Category: Wind Turbines 4 comments »
March 4th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
thanks for the information this morning. it was very informative. contact me with any relevant information(brochure) and i look forward to meeting soon.
March 26th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Hi
I live in a very windy part of Wicklow so a turbine would, I feel, work brillaintly here. I will watch your advances with grear expectations therefore. The only thing that would affect the placing of one in the garden is the cost factor. I am not sure if planning permission is required either so would need to look into this.
Really glad that an Irish company is working on this form of energy generation.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:36 am
I am also happy to hear that an Irish company has stepped up to produce a Wind Turbine. I am in final stage of building my home in Kinlough and would welcome any/all information on well made wind turbines. I am ready to buy, but very confused on operation, costs, and maintence. Solar PV suppliers speak badly of wind turbines, and wind turbine companies speak badly of Solar PV companies. It would be great if ESB would step up, do some research, and be able to recommend what would be best for your home site.
May 6th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Hi Nancy, I hope I don’t come across as criticising solar PV. I see both systems as complementary. PV is passive, trouble free, and provides energy often at times when wind is quite poor. The economics are problematic in Ireland at present because panels are very expensive, but they are expected to fall dramatically in price when thin film systems come on the market. Nanosolar for example is promising modules for US$1 per watt, whereas the price is more like $3 at present. That would bring the installed price down from a current level of €7 per watt to perhaps €5.
I own a 90Kw plant on a rooftop in Spain, and this was viable because we get €0.48c per watt. The government dropped this to 31c recently and the system is still viable at that, but that is in Spain which has considerably better conditions. At 19c in Ireland it doesn’t really stack.
Each country should do what it is good at. Ireland is good at wind, and if you have a one-off house in a good location, then wind is for you. If you live in a housing estate, you shoudl look to solar PV, but perhaps wait for cheaper modules.
Solar PVs need no maintenance and work away for about 20 years. Wind systems are all different – many of them need annual maintenance and in some cases needing to come down each year, this maintenance might cost over 50% of the revenue for electricity sold. Our turbine only needs to come down for maintenance every five years, so the maintenance is much less of an issue. Also, because we use hydraulic towers, they are quick to lift up and down so I don’t see maintenance being much of a hassle.
Quentin.