Sixth Form College Leads The Way In Green Energy In Lancashire UK

by mickaul | March 3, 2010 at 05:06 am

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Ashton Sixth Form College leads the way in green energy in Tameside

Ashton Sixth Form College has a long-term strategy for reducing its carbon footprint which includes small initiatives to raise awareness of recycling through to solar panelling and mini turbines on the roof of the main college building. Our new wind turbine is a big step in that right direction to making the college an environmentally friendly institution.

We are the first college in the North West to have our own on-site wind turbine and only the second educational establishment in the country installing a unique vertical axis wind turbine designed to produce renewable energy cost-effectively, cleanly and quietly.

Why did Ashton Sixth Form College want a wind turbine? We recognise the enormous impact of climate change on the world, and feel that it has a responsibility to help to reduce carbon emissions in the area and make Tameside a more sustainable place to live.

The College has a strategic plan to save 10% of the overall consumption of energy used by the campus by 2011.

The proposed wind turbine will enable Ashton Sixth Form College to generate 34% of the electricity that its newest building, housing a new library and 15 new classrooms, uses each year from renewable sources. We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment, and installing the turbine is the single most significant action we are taking in order to reduce our carbon dioxide emissions.

Are wind turbines efficient and reliable energy providers? Wind turbines generate electricity from a “fuel” which is free and will never run out. Wind power leaves behind no legacy of carbon dioxide or nuclear waste making the energy created by wind fully sustainable.

A wind turbine’s annual energy output is determined by its design specification and the average wind speed at its location. The annual mean wind speed at Ashton Sixth Form College is estimated to be 6m/s. Generally, wind turbines produce electricity 70 to 85% of the time, however, there will be times when the turbine is not turning, times when it is generating electricity but not at full load, and times when it is generating its maximum potential output. If this is averaged out over a 20-year period, the college will make a huge overall carbon dioxide saving of 218,930kg (218 tonnes). The average car per year generates 6.4 tonnes and so the college’s turbine will make the same saving as travelling a huge 34,375 miles by installing the turbine.

How much energy will the wind turbine produce? The Ropatec Wind Turbine model was chosen for its relatively low start up speeds of 3m/s, a gentle breeze. The payback analysis was based on average wind speeds of just 6m/s at the site; conventional turbines generally only start turning at 5-6 m/s, so for long periods would not be generating electricity if installed at the Ashton site. Since installing the Ropatec turbine the performance of the turbine has been closely monitored and the start up speed has been around 3 m/s and has been producing electricity on most days.

At wind speeds of 6 m/s the wind produces enough electricity to power the equivalent of 16 light bulbs whilst at 14 m/s (32 miles per hour) a strong wind the turbine generates the equivalent of 6 tumble dryers .

The College has obtained professional advice to ensure that the annual savings based on average wind speeds are accurate. Based in this advice pay back is expected to be 15 years based on annual savings starting at £3K p.a rising to £8K p.a assuming an annual 5% increase in electricity prices; note electricity price increased by 40% last year alone, so the pay back could be less than 15 years if electricity prices continue to rise rapidly.

The average CO2 reduction over 20 years is 218,930 the equivalent of driving a car for 34,375 miles and the saving is about 3% of the Colleges total CO2 output. Along with other initiatives, such as: new windows and heating system for the main building; nature air heating and cooling system in the new Geoff Higgins building (leading to the building being short listed for a RIBS award for sustainability), added together has meant that the College is close to reaching the Government target to reduce CO2 emission by 20% by the year 2010.

How big is the wind turbine? The 20kW turbine consists of a tubular tower 11m high and unique vertical angled blades 4.5m high and a diameter of 8m. The Ropatec wind turbine has a completely unique appearance, mixing contemporary design with high-tech engineering to create a fascinating visual style. Due to the low rotation speed, these turbines are comfortable on the eye and do not create any strobing effects.

Where is the turbine located? The turbine is located 30m away from college buildings on-site in the playing fields. Due to its unique design, the Ropatec Wind Rotor operates with virtually no sound.

Does the turbine make a noise? We chose to install the unique Ropatec Vertical Axis Turbine because of its quiet wind rotor. Unlike the common horizontal axis wind turbines across the UK, the college turbine operates silently and causes no disturbance to local residents or students.