WINEUR Wind Energy Integration in the Urban Environment Deliverable
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WINEUR Wind energy integration in the urban environment Deliverable 1.1 Technology inventory report EIE/04/130/SO7.38591 July 2005 Table of contents 1. General Introduction .................................................................................................................3 2. Current situation in each of the countries studied..................................................................4 2.1. Austria..................................................................................................................................4 2.2. Finland .................................................................................................................................6 2.3. France...................................................................................................................................8 2.4. Germany.............................................................................................................................10 2.5. Greece ................................................................................................................................12 2.6. Ireland ................................................................................................................................14 2.7. Italy ....................................................................................................................................16 2.8. Luxemburg.........................................................................................................................18 2.9. Netherlands ........................................................................................................................19 2.10. Portugal ..............................................................................................................................25 2.11. Spain ..................................................................................................................................27 2.12. Sweden...............................................................................................................................29 2.13. United Kingdom.................................................................................................................30 2.14. Australia.............................................................................................................................33 2.15. Canada................................................................................................................................35 2.16. Japan...................................................................................................................................37 2.17. United States ......................................................................................................................40 3. Methodology .............................................................................................................................43 3.1. Urban wind turbine definition............................................................................................43 3.2. Data collection ...................................................................................................................43 4. Analysis of the various technologies.......................................................................................44 4.1. General results of the inventory.........................................................................................44 4.2. Short presentation of the various manufacturers studied..................................................44 4.3. Performance, strengths and weaknesses of urban wind turbines ......................................44 4.3.1. Rated power and rated wind speed ............................................................................45 4.3.2. Cut-in wind speed: .....................................................................................................45 4.3.3. Cut-out wind speed: ...................................................................................................45 4.3.4. Self Starting turbines :................................................................................................46 4.3.5. Noise: .........................................................................................................................46 4.3.6. Life time:....................................................................................................................47 4.3.7. Maintenance:..............................................................................................................48 WINEUR Page 2 of 48 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION Up until recently, the main renewable energy (RE) technologies existing in urban surroundings were: solar thermal installations, photovoltaics and heat pumps. In the last few years, various manufacturers are starting to introduce new kinds of wind turbines, which are specially developed for urban surroundings. These turbines can also be called urban turbines (UT). Much like photovoltaics, urban turbines generate electricity at the place where it is needed, preventing transport losses and their owners can visibly express their commitment to sustainable energy sources and in that way, actively promote their green image. However, urban turbines are a fairly new product. The market for UT is underdeveloped and there is apparent lack of knowledge with these products. Consequently, the need for information related to the existing technologies, the economics, the regulations, procedures and guidelines specifically related to UT is fundamental to permit their potential development. The major objective of the study is therefore to identify the conditions necessary for the integration of small wind turbines in the urban environment and to promote the emergence of this technology as a real option for electricity supply in towns and cities across Europe. The first Work Package of WINEUR, titled “State of art and Experiences gained” consists of a comprehensive review of the existing technologies in the small and medium range of wind turbines which are suitable for installation in an urban environment. This includes horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) and vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT). This first work package has been started and completed during the reporting period. The outcomes of the first Work Package are summarised as follows: Production of an accurate and up to date description of the existing small wind turbine technologies available for the production of electricity in an urban environment; Compilation of a data base of key technical actors; Start raising awareness and interest in various cities in France, the UK and the Netherlands; Start working on the selection of two suitable sites for monitoring and evaluating the possibilities of implementing future urban wind energy projects. The following section is the accompanying document of the Catalogue of the European Urban Wind Turbine Manufacturers which corresponds to the deliverable 1 (D1.1). This section is divided and three main sub-chapters related to: The current wind energy situation in each of the countries studied (as an introduction); A short explanation of the methodology used to produce this first major deliverable; An analysis of the urban wind turbines/manufacturers (to accompany the Catalogue). WINEUR Page 3 of 48 2. CURRENT SITUATION IN EACH OF THE COUNTRIES STUDIED 2.1. AUSTRIA Austria already has the highest share (70 %) of renewable electricity production in terms of gross national electricity consumption in the whole of the European Union in 1990. This share is planned to rise to 78, 1 % by the year 2010. Installed wind capacity in Austria Table 1 and Figure 1 below gives the current situation for wind energy installations in Austria. Table 1. Installed wind capacity in Austria in May 2005 Turbines MW 431 620 Source: IG Windkraft Figure 1. Austrian wind energy capacity installed in 2004 Promotion instruments for wind energy in Austria In July 2002 the Austrian Parliament adopted a new legislation to comply with the RES-E directive, the Ökostromgesetz/Green Electricity Act. This Act implements a feed-in system for RES and makes it mandatory to purchase “green” electricity. In addition to the purchase-obligation the Green Electricity Act sets a target for the share of RES-Electricity, in the year 2008 the share (without small hydro) in the public grid has to reach at least 4 %. The feed-in tariff for one kWh of wind energy is 7,8 Eurocents and the tariff is guaranteed for 13 years. Only turbines authorised before the 31st of December 2004 can claim these WINEUR Page 4 of 48 tariffs. There are no other types of support for grid connected RES and only innovative projects can obtain small investment subsidies. In Austria, a fast-track planning procedure for producers of renewable electricity does not exist. The provincial governments are in charge of the procedure, and many different permissions (protection of landscape, regional development plan, security of aviation, etc.) have to be obtained. Only projects with a size of more than 20 MW benefit from a centralised planning procedure at the provincial government level. At the beginning of 2005, the Austrian wind industry found itself in a difficult situation as feed-in tariffs have only been guaranteed for turbines which have completed the authorisation process before the 31st of December 2004. It is not clear whether the new projects proposed after this date and projects proposed but which have not yet received