Renewable energy products distributor Eco Building Productsis generating some of the electricity needed at its Market Deeping showroom with a revolutionary new wind turbine.
The company, which already meets much of its power requirement from photovoltaic (PV) cells on the roof of its building at Spitfire Park, has installed a WindTronicsBTPS6500 turbine that produces up to 2,000 kW hours per year of clean renewable energy. Much of the wind-generated power is being used for security lighting around the exterior of the building.
Ian Greenfield of Eco Building Products said: “We are now selling WindTronics turbines. However, as with most of what we sell, we like to gain real operating experience ourselves before offering products to customers.
“We have been delighted with the performance of the turbine which is making a real contribution to cutting our energy costs and CO2 emissions.
“It has significantly extended our range of practical renewable energy solutions. In addition to PV and heat pumps, we can now offer a reliable, low-cost and easily installed wind turbine system.”
The BTPS6500 creates power at the blade tips, where speed is greatest, utilising a system of outer rim stators and magnets, rather than using the typical gearing system of traditional turbines. This drastically reduces the mechanical resistance and gives a far greater operating range of wind speeds.
The turbine begins generating in wind speeds as low as 2 mph (0.9 m/s) and continues to draw energy in winds up to 40 mph (17.9 m/s) so it is almost always turning and producing power. In high winds, to prevent the turbine from being damaged, the turbine goes into auto shut down and the electromagnetic braking system is fully deployed.
The system measures just 6 feet (1.8 metres) in diameter and is able to generate around 40 per cent of an average household’s annual electricity needs. Through its patented design it eliminates many of the classic concerns around noise and vibration and is ‘wildlife friendly’ because its dense rotor system is easily seen by bats and birds.