Windsave 1000
Windsave 1000
Find out more about the Windsave 1000 system
windWindsave small wind turbine generating systems are also known as Small Scale Embedded Generators (SSEGs). The Windsave
wind turbine generates electricity which is then
plugged in to the building's ring main supply suitable for UK 230 Volt AC 50 Hz applications. Pictured below is the electronic conditioning system which
cleans the generated electricity so that it can be used in the home.
Update - September 2009 Windsave Ltd went into receivership in September 2009 after their product was dropped by B&Q in the face of many customer complaints. The
Energy Saving Trust drew attention to the fact rapidly discovered by disappointed customers that in
urban locations turbulence from nearby buildings and trees coupled with low mean wind speeds rendered this type of
domestic wind turbine effectively useless. The founder of Windsave David Gordon claimed that the failure of the business was due to the problem of getting planning permission to install the wind turbine generator.
Small
wind turbine generator systems such as the
Windsave 1000 are designed to be installed on homes and so are designed to generate minimal vibrations and noise. The Windsave 1000 nominally generates 1kW at 12 metres per second wind (27mph), and starts generating power as soon as the wind is over 4 metres per second. Turbulent wind and lower wind speeds result in far lower power outputs.
What makes the Windsave product so
user friendly is that the
wind energy generated can be plugged directly into the mains system with a standard 13A plug - therefore there are no batteries to maintain or house. However, any energy generated that is not used is lost and not stored for later use. It really is a case of use it or lose it.
Buying the Windsave 1000
Currently (19th December 2006), the total installed cost of the
Windsave 1000 (WS1000) system is £1595 plus 5% VAT subject to survey direct from the manufacturer, or
£1498 all inclusive from
B and Q.
Grants are available from the DTI's
Low Carbon Buildings Programme which may save customers from 30-50% off the installed cost of the system. However, even with a grant, it is highly unlikely that the Windsave 1000 will pay for itself in under a decade, and when you factor in maintenance and other costs, it may never pay for itself during its
25 year design lifetime. This sadly is one of the main disadvantages of this type of
Roof-mounted Wind Turbine Generator with no battery storage of unused electricity.
Therefore, if you want to cut down on your
carbon dioxide emissions, you have £1,000 burning a hole in your pocket, and you want an easy hands-off way into the world of renewable energy, consider investing in a Windsave 1000.
It is worth remembering though that the vast majority of people could easily
cut their household electricity usage by a quarter (as promised by Windsave) with a few
energy efficicient lightbulbs, a bit more
insulation, and by not leaving devices on standby!
Consider also the following
wind turbine generators:
Futurenergy 1kW Wind Turbine
600W Grid Tied Wind Turbine
D400 StealthGen Wind Turbine
Proven WT2500 Wind Turbine
Article Last Modified: 10:21, 9th Mar 2011Comment on this Article
If you have any comments on this article, please email them to
neil@reuk.co.uk.
Recommended Related Articles
People who read this article also enjoyed the following articles:
Proven WT2500 Wind TurbineFind out more about the Proven Energy WT2500 (now Proven 7) 2.5kW Wind Turbine
Article Last Modified: 10:03, 9th Mar 2011windFuturenergy 1kW Wind TurbineRead about the Futurenergy 1kW Wind Turbine Generator
Article Last Modified: 12:11, 15th Mar 2011windCalculate kWh Generated by Wind TurbineKnowing average wind speed and rotor size of a wind turbine estimate kWh of electricity generated per year
Article Last Modified: 15:58, 8th Mar 2007wind | educationD400 Wind GeneratorFind out more about the D400 Wind Generator from Eclectic Energy ltd
Article Last Modified: 17:07, 19th Jan 2007windMicro Wind TurbinesWhat is a Micro Wind Turbine
Article Last Modified: 09:47, 20th Dec 2006windB and Q Wind Turbines and SolarB and Q are now stocking domestic wind turbine generators and solar panels
Article Last Modified: 09:49, 13th Dec 2006wind | solar | general | newsConsumers Disappointed With Micro TurbinesRoof-mounted domestic wind turbines disappointing consumers
Article Last Modified: 13:57, 13th Jan 2009wind | newsUnder 1000GBP Grid Tied TurbineGrid tied wind turbine generator for under £1000
Article Last Modified: 09:50, 13th Dec 2006windKarasouli SCC 20 Wind Turbine Charge ControllerFind out more about the SCC-20 wind turbine charge controller and dump load controller
Article Last Modified: 12:46, 20th Jan 2012wind | electronics | shoppingGrid Tie InvertersFind out more about Grid Tie Inverters - connect your RE system to the grid
Article Last Modified: 13:37, 9th Mar 2011general | wind | solar | electronics
|
|
|
