08/03/2012
UK - 2012 Olympics in London in the sign of renewable and geener thinking
The Olympic Delivery Authority has installed vertical axis wind turbines in London’s Olympic Park after plans to place a single, giant wind turbine fell through. The London 2012 Olympic Games has received some flak for not meeting its green targets and failing to be the ‘Green Olympics’ that it promised to be, but the installation of the seven qr5 turbines suggests that Olympic organizers are still attempting to meet their sustainable goals.
Vertical axis wind turbines work differently to conventional three blade turbine and are actually deemed to be more efficient as they don’t require power or a minimum wind speed to start. The original Olympic plans discussed the potential installation of a large wind turbine at the Stratford park site, but it never happened. Now the smaller vertical wind turbines are stepping in to fill the renewable energy void that it has left.
The seven qr5 turbines are being provided by British wind turbine manufacturer Quiet Revolution, and although there is no official statement from either the company or the Olympic Authority on their installaion, it is know nthat the turbines stand 18 metres tall and can provide up to 7,500 kWh of power a year.
Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesman for the Olympic Delivery Authority said that the wind turbines each cost £40,000, but are expected to pay for themselves within 12 years. “Sustainability has been designed into the project from the beginning, and as a result the ODA will significantly exceed its 50 per cent target to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction of the Olympic Park,” he said.
“These seven turbines serve a valuable dual function by providing 40 per cent of the energy for high-powered streetlights as well contributing to the overall renewable energy target. The turbines are connected to the Park’s energy supply, which feed renewable energy into the Olympic Park energy network during the day, which offsets power used by the lamp at night.”
About the Quite Revolution qr5 turbines:
- Click on http://www.quietrevolution.com/media-videos.htm to view a video of the turbines.
- The quietrevolution (QR) was designed in response to increasing demand for wind turbines that work well in environments close to people and buildings.
- The elegant helical (twisted) design of the qr5 ensures a robust performance even in turbulent winds. It is also responsible for virtually eliminating noise and vibration.
- At five metres high and three metres in diameter, it is compact and easy to integrate, and with just one moving part, maintenance can be limited to an annual inspection.
- Clients include major retailers, developers, government departments, schools and universities.
- The diagramme provided - labeling of numbers:
1. Three ‘S’ shaped blades are tapered to shed noise
2. The vertical axis is easy to integrate with existing masts and buildings
3. The helical (twisted) design captures turbulent winds and eliminates vibration
4. The blades, spars and torque tube are made of robust carbon fibre, and all moving parts are sealed to minimise maintenance
5. The direct drive in-line generator has auto-shutdown and peak power tracking and is incorporated into the mast
- The UK design and patent protected. Patent pending in additional global territories.
Turbine Specifications:
- Physical dimensions: 5m tall, 3.1m diameter
- Generator: Direct drive, mechanically integrated, weather sealed permanent magnet generator
- Power control: Peak power tracking constantly optimises turbine output for all sites and windspeeds
- Power: The projected peak power at 16m/s is: 8.5kW aerodynamic; 7.0kW DC; 6.5kW grid
- Annual energy yield: 4197 kWh at 5m/s to BWEA standards; Up to 7,500 kWh at 7m/s; No reduction in power output at up to 40% turbulence intensity.
- Operating wind speeds: Cut in at sustained 5m/s; Cut out sustained 26m/s
- Design life: 25 years (annual inspections recommended)
- Rotor construction: Carbon fibre
- Power Regulation and shutdown: Power regulation above 13.5m/s wind speed, auto shutdown in high wind speeds (above 26m/s)
- Roof mounting: 6m mast
- Tower mounting: 18m mast
- Remote monitoring: Event log can be accessed via PC. Remote monitoring stores operation, average wind speeds and kW hours of electricity generated
- Warranty: Two years on components
Vertical axis wind turbines work differently to conventional three blade turbine and are actually deemed to be more efficient as they don’t require power or a minimum wind speed to start. The original Olympic plans discussed the potential installation of a large wind turbine at the Stratford park site, but it never happened. Now the smaller vertical wind turbines are stepping in to fill the renewable energy void that it has left.
The seven qr5 turbines are being provided by British wind turbine manufacturer Quiet Revolution, and although there is no official statement from either the company or the Olympic Authority on their installaion, it is know nthat the turbines stand 18 metres tall and can provide up to 7,500 kWh of power a year.
Speaking to The Guardian, a spokesman for the Olympic Delivery Authority said that the wind turbines each cost £40,000, but are expected to pay for themselves within 12 years. “Sustainability has been designed into the project from the beginning, and as a result the ODA will significantly exceed its 50 per cent target to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction of the Olympic Park,” he said.
“These seven turbines serve a valuable dual function by providing 40 per cent of the energy for high-powered streetlights as well contributing to the overall renewable energy target. The turbines are connected to the Park’s energy supply, which feed renewable energy into the Olympic Park energy network during the day, which offsets power used by the lamp at night.”
About the Quite Revolution qr5 turbines:
- Click on http://www.quietrevolution.com/media-videos.htm to view a video of the turbines.
- The quietrevolution (QR) was designed in response to increasing demand for wind turbines that work well in environments close to people and buildings.
- The elegant helical (twisted) design of the qr5 ensures a robust performance even in turbulent winds. It is also responsible for virtually eliminating noise and vibration.
- At five metres high and three metres in diameter, it is compact and easy to integrate, and with just one moving part, maintenance can be limited to an annual inspection.
- Clients include major retailers, developers, government departments, schools and universities.
- The diagramme provided - labeling of numbers:
1. Three ‘S’ shaped blades are tapered to shed noise
2. The vertical axis is easy to integrate with existing masts and buildings
3. The helical (twisted) design captures turbulent winds and eliminates vibration
4. The blades, spars and torque tube are made of robust carbon fibre, and all moving parts are sealed to minimise maintenance
5. The direct drive in-line generator has auto-shutdown and peak power tracking and is incorporated into the mast
- The UK design and patent protected. Patent pending in additional global territories.
Turbine Specifications:
- Physical dimensions: 5m tall, 3.1m diameter
- Generator: Direct drive, mechanically integrated, weather sealed permanent magnet generator
- Power control: Peak power tracking constantly optimises turbine output for all sites and windspeeds
- Power: The projected peak power at 16m/s is: 8.5kW aerodynamic; 7.0kW DC; 6.5kW grid
- Annual energy yield: 4197 kWh at 5m/s to BWEA standards; Up to 7,500 kWh at 7m/s; No reduction in power output at up to 40% turbulence intensity.
- Operating wind speeds: Cut in at sustained 5m/s; Cut out sustained 26m/s
- Design life: 25 years (annual inspections recommended)
- Rotor construction: Carbon fibre
- Power Regulation and shutdown: Power regulation above 13.5m/s wind speed, auto shutdown in high wind speeds (above 26m/s)
- Roof mounting: 6m mast
- Tower mounting: 18m mast
- Remote monitoring: Event log can be accessed via PC. Remote monitoring stores operation, average wind speeds and kW hours of electricity generated
- Warranty: Two years on components
- Source:
- Special Thanks to The quietrevolution
- Author:
- Posted by Trevor Sievert, Online Editorial Journalist / Timon Singh
- Email:
- ts@windfair.net
- Link:
- www.windfair.net/...
- Keywords:
- wind, wind energy, wind turbine, rotorblade, awea, ewea, wind power, suppliers, manufacturerstrevor sievert
