Wind power in Scotland: Difference between revisions
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'''Wind power in Scotland''' is an area of considerable activity. [[Wind turbine]]s are the fastest growing of the renewable energy technologies in Scotland and the world's largest wind turbine generator (5 MW) is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea, 15 miles off the East coast. |
'''Wind power in Scotland''' is an area of considerable activity. [[Wind turbine]]s are the fastest growing of the renewable energy technologies in Scotland and the world's largest wind turbine generator (5 MW) is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea, 15 miles off the East coast. |
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| ⚫ | Most turbines in the European Union produce electricity at an average of 25% of their rated maximum power due to the [[Intermittent Power Sources|variability]] of wind resources,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2003/c03006.pdf|title=ECN report on Renewables|accessdate=2007-02-04}}</ref> but Scotland's wind regime provides average of 40% or higher on the west and northern coasts. A small wind farm on [[Shetland]] with three [[Vestas]] V47 660 kW turbines recently achieved a world record of 58% capacity over the course of a year. This record is claimed by Burradale windfarm, located just a few miles outside Lerwick and operated by Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd. Since opening in 2000, the turbines at this wind farm have had an average capacity factor of 52% and, according to this report, in 2005 averaged a world record 57.9%.<ref>[http://www.reuk.co.uk/Burradale-Wind-Farm-Shetland-Islands.htm Burradale Wind Farm Shetland Islands]</ref> |
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==World's largest wind turbine== |
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| ⚫ | The world's largest wind turbine was assembled in August 2006 and is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea 15 miles off the East coast of Scotland near the Beatrice Oil Field. This is the first time these enormous offshore wind turbines have actually been tested offshore, and the first time any wind turbine generator has been assembled in such deep water -- 44 metres deep.<ref>[http://www.reuk.co.uk/Worlds-Largest-Wind-Turbine-Generator.htm Worlds Largest Wind Turbine Generator]</ref> Such large wind turbine generators are ideally suited to the offshore environment thanks to high consistent wind speeds and minimal turbulence. According to historical measures of wind speeds at the Beatrice offshore location, it is expected that the turbines will run an impressive 96% of the time (8440 hours per year), and at 5 MW full power 38% of the time (3300 hours per year).<ref>[http://www.reuk.co.uk/Worlds-Largest-Wind-Turbine-Generator.htm Worlds Largest Wind Turbine Generator]</ref> |
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==Black Law Wind Farm== |
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The 42 turbine Black Law Wind Farm has a total capacity of 97 megawatts (MW), sufficient to meet the average electricity needs of 70,000 homes each year - or a town the size of Paisley - and is estimated to save around 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.<ref>[http://www.bwea.com/media/news/060213_bl.html UK's most powerful [[wind farm]] could power Paisley]</ref> |
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The £90 million Black Law Wind Farm is located near Forth in Lanarkshire and has been built on old opencast coalmine site which was completely restored to shallow wetlands during the construction programme. It employs seven permanent staff on site and created 200 jobs during construction. ScottishPower is expected to complete the second phase of the project this summer, which will see the installation of a further 12 turbines.<ref>[http://www.bwea.com/media/news/060213_bl.html UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley]</ref> |
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The project has received wide recognition for its contribution to environmental objectives, including praise from the RSPB, who said that the scheme was not only improving the landscape in a derelict opencast mining site, but also benefiting a range of wildlife in the area, with an extensive habitat management projects covering over 14 square kilometres.<ref>[http://www.bwea.com/media/news/060213_bl.html UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley]</ref> |
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==Whitelee Wind Farm== |
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The 322 megawatt (MW) Whitelee Wind Farm is under construction in Scotland. The onshore wind farm, with its planned 140 wind turbines, is situated south of Glasgow on 55 sq. km of open moorland. The GPB 300 million [US$560 million] windfarm will be operated by Scottish Power. The project is expected to become operational in 2008 and, when completed in summer 2009, produce more than two percent of the country's annual electricity needs.<ref>[http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46222 Scotland Starts Work on 140-Turbine Onshore Windfarm]</ref> |
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==Wind variability== |
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| ⚫ | Most turbines in the European Union produce electricity at an average of 25% of their rated maximum power due to the [[Intermittent Power Sources|variability]] of wind resources,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecn.nl/docs/library/report/2003/c03006.pdf|title=ECN report on Renewables|accessdate=2007-02-04}}</ref> but Scotland's wind regime provides average of 40% or higher on the west and northern coasts. A small wind farm on [[Shetland]] with three [[Vestas]] V47 660 kW turbines recently achieved a world record of 58% capacity over the course of a year. This record is claimed by Burradale windfarm, located just a few miles outside Lerwick and operated by Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd. Since opening in 2000, the turbines at this wind farm have had an average capacity factor of 52% and, according to this report, in 2005 averaged a world record 57.9%.<ref>[http://www.reuk.co.uk/Burradale-Wind-Farm-Shetland-Islands.htm Burradale Wind Farm Shetland Islands]</ref> |
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==Aesthetics and landscape issues== |
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| ⚫ | The world's largest wind turbine was assembled in August 2006 and is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea 15 miles off the East coast of Scotland near the Beatrice Oil Field. This is the first time these enormous offshore wind turbines have actually been tested offshore, and the first time any wind turbine generator has been assembled in such deep water -- 44 metres deep.<ref>[http://www.reuk.co.uk/Worlds-Largest-Wind-Turbine-Generator.htm Worlds Largest Wind Turbine Generator]</ref> Such large wind turbine generators are ideally suited to the offshore environment thanks to high consistent wind speeds and minimal turbulence. According to historical measures of wind speeds at the Beatrice offshore location, it is expected that the turbines will run an impressive 96% of the time (8440 hours per year), and at |
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Siting of some wind turbines has become an issue amongst those concerned about the value of natural landscapes.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_5205000/5205430.stm Wind power dilemma for Lewis, BBC report]</ref> |
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==Potential== |
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| ⚫ | It is estimated that 11.5 GW of onshore wind potential exists, enough to provide 45 TWh of energy. More than double this amount exists on offshore sites<ref>RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FOE Scotland (February 2006) ''The Power of Scotland: Cutting Carbon with Scotland's Renewable Energy''.</ref> where mean wind speeds are greater than on land.<ref>[http://www.stanford.edu/group/efmh/winds/global_winds.html Evaluation of global wind power]</ref> The total offshore potential is estimated at 25 GW, and although more expensive to install could be enough to provide almost half the total energy used in Scotland.<ref>RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FOE Scotland (February 2006) ''The Power of Scotland: Cutting Carbon with Scotland's Renewable Energy''.</ref> |
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According to a recent report, the world's wind market offers many opportunities for Scottish companies, with total global revenue over the next five years estimated at £35 billion and continued growth forecast until at least 2025.<ref>[http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/news-se/news-fullarticle.htm?articleid=207059 Huge potential growth forecast for Scottish wind industry]</ref> |
According to a recent report, the world's wind market offers many opportunities for Scottish companies, with total global revenue over the next five years estimated at £35 billion and continued growth forecast until at least 2025.<ref>[http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/sedotcom_home/news-se/news-fullarticle.htm?articleid=207059 Huge potential growth forecast for Scottish wind industry]</ref> |
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Revision as of 22:18, 4 July 2007
Wind power in Scotland is an area of considerable activity. Wind turbines are the fastest growing of the renewable energy technologies in Scotland and the world's largest wind turbine generator (5 MW) is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea, 15 miles off the East coast.
World's largest wind turbine
The world's largest wind turbine was assembled in August 2006 and is currently undergoing testing in the North Sea 15 miles off the East coast of Scotland near the Beatrice Oil Field. This is the first time these enormous offshore wind turbines have actually been tested offshore, and the first time any wind turbine generator has been assembled in such deep water -- 44 metres deep.[1] Such large wind turbine generators are ideally suited to the offshore environment thanks to high consistent wind speeds and minimal turbulence. According to historical measures of wind speeds at the Beatrice offshore location, it is expected that the turbines will run an impressive 96% of the time (8440 hours per year), and at 5 MW full power 38% of the time (3300 hours per year).[2]
Black Law Wind Farm
The 42 turbine Black Law Wind Farm has a total capacity of 97 megawatts (MW), sufficient to meet the average electricity needs of 70,000 homes each year - or a town the size of Paisley - and is estimated to save around 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.[3]
The £90 million Black Law Wind Farm is located near Forth in Lanarkshire and has been built on old opencast coalmine site which was completely restored to shallow wetlands during the construction programme. It employs seven permanent staff on site and created 200 jobs during construction. ScottishPower is expected to complete the second phase of the project this summer, which will see the installation of a further 12 turbines.[4]
The project has received wide recognition for its contribution to environmental objectives, including praise from the RSPB, who said that the scheme was not only improving the landscape in a derelict opencast mining site, but also benefiting a range of wildlife in the area, with an extensive habitat management projects covering over 14 square kilometres.[5]
Whitelee Wind Farm
The 322 megawatt (MW) Whitelee Wind Farm is under construction in Scotland. The onshore wind farm, with its planned 140 wind turbines, is situated south of Glasgow on 55 sq. km of open moorland. The GPB 300 million [US$560 million] windfarm will be operated by Scottish Power. The project is expected to become operational in 2008 and, when completed in summer 2009, produce more than two percent of the country's annual electricity needs.[6]
Wind variability
Most turbines in the European Union produce electricity at an average of 25% of their rated maximum power due to the variability of wind resources,[7] but Scotland's wind regime provides average of 40% or higher on the west and northern coasts. A small wind farm on Shetland with three Vestas V47 660 kW turbines recently achieved a world record of 58% capacity over the course of a year. This record is claimed by Burradale windfarm, located just a few miles outside Lerwick and operated by Shetland Aerogenerators Ltd. Since opening in 2000, the turbines at this wind farm have had an average capacity factor of 52% and, according to this report, in 2005 averaged a world record 57.9%.[8]
Aesthetics and landscape issues
Siting of some wind turbines has become an issue amongst those concerned about the value of natural landscapes.[9]
Potential
It is estimated that 11.5 GW of onshore wind potential exists, enough to provide 45 TWh of energy. More than double this amount exists on offshore sites[10] where mean wind speeds are greater than on land.[11] The total offshore potential is estimated at 25 GW, and although more expensive to install could be enough to provide almost half the total energy used in Scotland.[12]
According to a recent report, the world's wind market offers many opportunities for Scottish companies, with total global revenue over the next five years estimated at £35 billion and continued growth forecast until at least 2025.[13]
See also
- British Wind Energy Association
- Renewable energy in Scotland
- Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom
- Energy policy of the United Kingdom
- Renewable energy in the European Union
- Wind power in the United Kingdom
- Wind turbines (UK domestic)
References
- ^ Worlds Largest Wind Turbine Generator
- ^ Worlds Largest Wind Turbine Generator
- ^ UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley
- ^ UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley
- ^ UK's most powerful wind farm could power Paisley
- ^ Scotland Starts Work on 140-Turbine Onshore Windfarm
- ^ "ECN report on Renewables" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-02-04.
- ^ Burradale Wind Farm Shetland Islands
- ^ Wind power dilemma for Lewis, BBC report
- ^ RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FOE Scotland (February 2006) The Power of Scotland: Cutting Carbon with Scotland's Renewable Energy.
- ^ Evaluation of global wind power
- ^ RSPB Scotland, WWF Scotland and FOE Scotland (February 2006) The Power of Scotland: Cutting Carbon with Scotland's Renewable Energy.
- ^ Huge potential growth forecast for Scottish wind industry