Environmental and Financial Benefits
A domestic
or small business wind system should be viewed as a long-term
environmentally beneficial investment, as it may be number of years into
its life cycle before it gives payback in financial terms. The value of
electricity produced will depend on the corresponding cost of mains electricity
during the life of the turbine. While prices for electricity are currently
decreasing, the cost of electricity to the consumer has risen substantially in
the previous 5 years (by over 50%). While the price of oil has now fallen
sharply, from its record highs during the summer of 2008, there are no
guarantees about future prices. The price of electricity in Ireland is heavily
dependent on the price of fossil fuels (more
than 80% of electricity generated in 2007 was fossil fuel sourced) and it is
expected that the long term trends in fuel prices will continue upward.
Why does the
price of oil matter to an electricity customer? Because the cost of other
fuels, such as natural gas, tracks the price of oil and as a result so too does
the price of electricity in Ireland. In 2007, nearly 60% of our electricity was
generated by burning natural gas. So a wind turbine can provide some stability
to a portion of electricity costs and is likely to become more competitive
if electricity prices increase again or if there is a carbon tax introduced
which is applied to mains electricity.
Many users
of small scale wind turbines are not motivated solely by financial concerns.
Many are attracted by having an independent, local source for a portion
of their energy needs. Others are concerned with the environmental impact of
conventional electricity generation. Conventional thermal power generation
inefficiently consumes valuable finite resources- for good. Other than carbon
dioxide, by-products of the generation process, depending on the fuel used and
mitigating measures employed, can include acid rain causing compounds, irritant
particulate emissions, mercury emissions and ash. Wind generated electricity
displaces energy from the grid when it is consumed on-site. Power generation
is one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland.
In 2007 Ireland produced
more than 80% of its electricity by consuming fossil fuel resources, (gas 55%,
oil 6%, CHP 4% and coal 18%) the vast majority of which had to be imported. On
average in 2007, each unit (kWh) of grid electricity consumed had an associated
carbon dioxide production of approximately 538g. The associated carbon
production varies depending on the time of day and the suite of generation
plant which is brought onto the system by the system operator. But in
simplistic terms, for every 2 units of electricity produced by the domestic
wind turbine over 1 kg of CO2 emissions could be avoided.
There are of
course emissions associated with the manufacture, transportation and erection
of a wind turbine but a correctly sited quality unit will be able to repay
these in a reasonable time. Equally an ill-suited, badly sited, poor quality
turbine may never produce the energy which has gone into its production, not to
mention paying back in economical terms. For instance roof mounted turbines in
built up areas can prove to be purely ornamental rather than productive or
beneficial to the environment or the owner. They can in fact increase energy
consumption as the occupant is misguided into thinking they are producing
electricity at a rate which allows them to increase their own consumption
without impact on the environment or on their bill.
A portion of
the electricity produced by power stations is lost during transmission and
distribution over long distances. The losses occur in transformers and in the
wires. Energy generated closer to where it is consumed will reduce the total
energy losses on the system.
Wind
turbines are often the most cost effective energy option in remote off-grid
areas where it may be very expensive to connect to the grid. Battery
storage can be added to the off-grid system so that power may be available on
demand.
Energy Security
Replacing
electricity produced from imported fossil fuels with wind energy generated on
site at your home or business could make a significant contribution to
Ireland's energy security and reduce the carbon intensity of Ireland's
electricity needs. As an island with very limited fossil fuel resources,
Ireland is heavily dependent on imported energy supplies. Ireland currently
imports over 90% of its consumed energy including petroleum products, coal and
natural gas. While an individual installation will not improve security of
energy supply or reduce emissions on a national level, the cumulative effect of
a large number of installations will be positive.
Ireland has
access to huge inexhaustible energy resources, such as wind, which happen to be
renewable and clean. Wave energy devices are still in development and
are expected to be useful only for commercial electricity production on a
larger scale. Wind power is a mature technology and can be harnessed by the
individual for personal or business use.
Following
unprecedented prices for oil during 2008 the price has dropped significantly in
the first quarter of 2009. OPEC have indicated that $70 to $80 may be a more
realistic medium term price for production from ever more challenging reserves
to be viable. The long term trend in oil prices is expected to continue
upward. It is worth remembering that throughout the 1990's the price of a
barrel of oil hovered around $20 and as recent as 2005 $70 was seen as a threat
to fossil fuel dependent economies all over the world. Now that the price has
returned to a seemingly low price in comparison with the record prices seen
during 2008 we may have been desensitised to high prices. This should not
discourage us from looking for energy supplies which are local, sustainable and
not affected by global events far removed, geographically and politically, from
Ireland.
Education and Awareness
The
installation of a turbine or other renewable technology can be a focus for
educational purposes and increase awareness of energy efficiency in a
school and in student's homes. Many schools are involved in An Taisce's green schools initiative which
includes energy as one of the main themes. As with any installation the load
profile will need to be considered. Schools may have an unusual load profile
due to the hours they are open during the day and due to the fact that they may
be closed for longer than they are occupied i.e. evenings, weekends and during
holidays. A thorough feasibility study by a competent supplier should examine
the implications of each customer's demand profile and the payment available
for exports.
The addition
of microgeneration to a home can increase energy awareness and make an already
efficient home even more so as the occupants modify their consumption behaviour
as much as possible to minimise imports and consumption to maximise exports
where payment is available.
'Green marketing'
A firm may
wish to demonstrate to customers that they are aware of environmental issues
and the environmental impact of the energy consumption of their business. An
appropriately sited, well maintained and fully operational wind turbine is
probably the most visible means by which this commitment can be demonstrated.
As consumers become increasingly aware of environmental issues companies which
are proactive in minimising the impact of their business on the environment may
have the edge in a competitive marketplace.
Employment
Local jobs are supported by the microgeneration sector. As the
industry grows from a small base it is hoped that more jobs will be created in
site assessment, installation and maintenance. A number of Irish companies are
also in advanced stages of developing of their own turbines which will be
manufactured in Ireland.
SEAI will be
over-seeing a comprehensive
field study throughout 2009 and into 2010. Following this study we will be in a
better position to detail the benefits of the technology to the domestic and
small commercial user. The benefits of large scale wind are widely known.
The goals of
the study include:
- Monitor and assess turbine and equipment technical performance in Ireland;
- Assess the reliability of a range of technologies and manufacturers;
- Assess economic performance in the context of the Irish market;
- Inform the design of intelligent tariffs for smart metering; and
- Develop best practice guidelines for installers and suppliers.
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