How small-scale wind turbines are made

Recently, Robert Llewellyn took his Fully Charged show to visit a wind farm and discuss large-scale wind. But large-scale wind isn’t the only game in town.

In this latest episode, we get to visit the BritWind factory where 100% British-made, small- to medium-sized wind turbines are being designed, created and shipped to locations across the world. They’re specifically designed, says BritWind, to start generating at lower wind speeds than other small turbines and to keep going at high wind speeds too. Based on an annual wind speed of 6m/s, their smallest turbine—the R9000—will generate 13,700kWh of electricity per year It’s pretty interesting, and somewhat geeky stuff.

A few things we learn:

1. Wind speed will have a disproportionate impact on output: A doubling of wind speed produces eight times the energy. That means on England, an R9000 will produce 9 MWH a year. The same turbine in Scotland will produce 15 MWH a year.

2. In solar versus wind, wind produces more: In terms of installed capacity, a BritWind turbine will produce 3mWh for every installed kilowatt. Solar, by contrast, will produce 1mWh.

3. When you are talking to a committed vegan (yes, Dale is the guy who banned meat from his football stadium), praising the ability to intercrop wind with livestock can produce some pretty awkward moments…

Anyhow, enjoy. And, as always, if you like Fully Charged, please consider contributing to Robert Llewellyn’s Patreon ask.