Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Our Wind Turbine

 1. How tall will the wind turbine be?

The turbine stands at 20 metres. As a micro turbine, it is significantly smaller than typical turbines in Ireland, which range from 150 to 180 metres. Its vertical axis design encloses the blades within the assembly.

2. How far will the wind turbine be located from residential properties?

The proposed location for the turbine is 70 metres away from the nearest residential property.

3. What noise levels can be expected from the wind turbine?

The turbine generates noise levels within 50 dB when measured from 1 metre away, at a wind speed of 8 m/s. Studies show that our turbine's noise diminishes more rapidly with distance compared to horizontal axis turbines and blends with natural background sounds, increasing the likelihood of noise masking.

4. What impact will the wind turbine have on property values?

As a micro turbine, it is small enough to be exempt from planning regulations and has not been known to negatively affect property values.

5. How will the visual impact of the wind turbine be mitigated?

Unlike industrial turbines that are 150-180 metres tall with a 5MW output, our 20-metre-tall turbine has a 10kW output. It consists of a 10-metre pole with a 10-metre by 3-metre rectangular box housing the blades and components, designed to be clean and unobtrusive.

6. What are the potential health impacts of living near a wind turbine?

No health impacts have been reported from any of our wind turbine installations. Our 10kW vertical axis wind turbine operates silently, produces no shadow flicker, has low oscillations, and occupies a small footprint, minimising potential health risks.

7. How will wildlife be affected by the presence of the wind turbine?

There is no observed threat to wildlife. The turbine's design prevents flying objects from passing through and keeps blades visible to birds. Its quiet operation also allows terrestrial animals to move freely underneath. Our oldest prototype has been operating for over seven years with no recorded threats to wildlife.

8. What safety measures are in place to prevent accidents or malfunctions?

The turbine is equipped with a health monitoring system and automatic controls that shut down the turbine in case of malfunctions or extreme wind speeds.

9. Will there be any shadow flicker from the rotating blades of the wind turbine?

No shadow flicker occurs. The turbine's design, with closely configured blades and a vertical guide plate, prevents rotating blade shadows on the ground, allowing for dense grouping of turbines.

10. How will the wind turbine be maintained, and what are the risks associated with maintenance activities?

Maintenance follows strict guidelines, including measures for working at heights and electrical work. Licensed operators must adhere to these guidelines to ensure safety.

11. What is the expected lifespan of the wind turbine, and how will decommissioning be handled?

Our 10kW wind turbine has an expected lifespan of 35 years. We offer a decommissioning and recycling programme, recycling 90% of the materials for future manufacturing.

12. Will there be any disruption to local roads or infrastructure during construction?

Minimal disruption is expected. A crane will be on-site for one day to lift the turbine assembly onto the pole, and good site access will minimise any impact on local roads.

13. Will the wind turbine be connected to the electrical grid, and will there be any impact on local electricity distribution?

The turbine's power will be consumed by the hotel. An embedded generation interface protection system prevents electricity from flowing back to the grid during outages, ensuring safety and reducing local consumption constraints.

14. What measures are in place to prevent ice throw or blade debris from the wind turbine?

Ice throw or blade debris is not a concern with our vertical axis wind turbines.

15. How will the presence of the wind turbine affect the aesthetics of the surrounding area?

Over time, the micro turbine will blend in similarly to common structures like electricity poles and pylons, making it visually unobtrusive.

16. How will the wind turbine affect local air quality and emissions?

The 10kW wind turbine produces no emissions that can pollute the air or water. By switching from fossil fuels to wind energy, we reduce overall air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.

17. How will potential electromagnetic interference from the wind turbine be addressed?

No electromagnetic interference has been reported. The small scale of our 10kW turbine, at 20 metres in height and 3.5 metres in width, ensures it causes no interference in the surrounding area.

18. What is the timeline for the installation of the wind turbine, and when is it expected to become operational?

 The installation is planned within the next 3-6 months, with the turbine becoming operational within two weeks after the installation date.

For additional information or questions please contact our Sales & Marketing Office via email at sales@abbeycourt.ie