Wind Speed
The success of a turbine relies on wind.
The Dti maintain a wind speed database which provides an indication of wind speed at 10, 25 and 45 metres above ground level. Our site offers access to the database by inputting your postcode.
The reading obtained from the database has to be treated with caution. It is a computer simulated average assessed over an area of a square kilometre. It does not take account of local topography or local thermally driven winds. There are bound to be variations and inaccuracies and any reading must therefore be treated as indicative of the wind speed in the area.
Whilst your wind speed may be stated to be less than 5m/s it may be that you have a particular location that has a higher than average wind speed. Use of your local knowledge will be important in siting a turbine but an anemometer may give you the comfort you require to establish the prudence of using wind as an energy source. Suitable equipment may be purchased for as little as £75 although generally suitable equipment will cost in the region of £100/£120.
The power available from the wind is a function of the cube of the wind speed. Therefore if the wind blows at twice the speed, its energy content will increase eight-fold. It therefore follows that the higher you are able to have your turbine the more wind will be available to you however planning permission may well be a limitation to the height of your tower.
