What should I expect of a turbine supplier/installer?

A comprehensive site assessment during a site visit by a competent, trained representative is a basic necessity. Buying a turbine in a DIY store or online, regardless of site suitability, could turn out to be a mistake. The key elements of a site assessment are covered elsewhere in these FAQs.

Feasibility study

The site assessment will feed into a report which will indicate if the site is technically and economically viable. If the site is not economically viable or is borderline the customer may wish to go ahead to capture other benefits such as clean and independent energy. Site demand and the timing of that demand will be crucial to the viability of the site. More detailed information on site assessment and viability is available elsewhere in these FAQs.

Certification

At present the key applicable standard associated with microgeneration in Ireland is EN 50438. This standard's scope is limited to the point at which the turbine connects to the grid. Therefore the standard applies to the inverter. ESB Networks must be furnished with evidence of compliance with EN 50438 for the grid connection to be approved. ESB Networks' main concerns are that the turbine will not export power to a de-energised grid and that the power produced under normal operation will not reduce the quality of the supply to other customers in the area. A de-energised grid, during a power outage (planned or otherwise), will be worked on by technicians. If the inverter allows electricity to be exported to the grid at this time it is a danger to the technicians.

The turbine itself should be certified to perform in accordance with EN 61400-12 and designed safely to be compliant with EN 61400-2. EN 61400-2 includes the classification of small wind turbines with regard the wind speeds and conditions for which the turbine is designed. Class I winds are common in Ireland and many turbines are not designed to withstand the high gusts or average wind speeds experienced in our climate.

Class	I	I	II	II	III	III	IV	IV
	m/s	mph	m/s	mph	m/s	mph	m/s	mph
Vref	50	112	42.5	95	37.5	84	30	67
Vave	10	22	8.5	19	7.5	17	6	13

Table 3 shows the classification of small wind turbines as prescribed in EN 61400-2. V_ref is the reference wind speed for each turbine. A turbine designed with a V_ref of 112 mph is designed to withstand climates for which the extreme 10 minute average wind speed with a recurrence period of 50 years at the turbine hub height is lower than or equal to 112 mph. V_ave is the annual average wind speed at hub height.

The performance of the turbine in relation to noise should be in line with EN 61400-11. These are international standards. A manufacturer can self-declare compliance with the safety standard EN 61400-2. Proof of compliance with EN 61400-12 and EN 61400-11 is achieved by putting the turbine through rigorous tests. The test must be carried out by an accredited test facility and not the manufacturer or a non-accredited facility. Customers should check the accreditation of the test facilities appearing on the test reports because they may not be as professional as the document may portray.

The CE mark should also be in evidence on the major elements of the microgeneration system (turbine, inverter and controller). The CE mark is not a symbol of quality but does show that certain standards have been satisfied by the manufacturer.

Training

Action Renewables in Northern Ireland has developed a training course for wind and hydro micro-turbines and PV panel installers. At present there is no legal requirement for installers to have undergone this training in order to operate in the Republic of Ireland. There will be a compulsory training requirement in place for any equipment and installer registration in the future- similar to current arrangements for wood pellet boilers and solar thermal panels. The training is run by the Renewable Energy Installers Academy (REIA) in Northern Ireland and it is open to electricians from the republic. The awarding body is City & Guilds.

Some of the established turbine manufacturers offer training courses for installers of their equipment. In an effort to protect their brand some manufacturers will only supply turbines to installers who have undergone this training. A combination of the training provided by the REIA and the practical training provided by a quality turbine manufacturer should equip a supplier well to provide a good service to its clients.

A number of private training providers are offering wind turbine training courses in the Republic but many of these are not recognised by City & Guilds, FETAC or the SEAI field trials at present. For a list of recognized training sites please refer to the list on the SEAI website: Microgeneration Training Providers. SEAI is developing training and certification requirements with a view to having a FETAC qualification in place as soon as possible. For the purposes of eligibility for the small scale field trials the REIA training and manufacturer training will be required. Prospective customers should aim for this standard when choosing a supplier or installer whether they intend to apply for inclusion in the trials or not.

The final wiring and sign-off of a grid connected turbine must be completed to ETCI standards. The electrician should be a member of a certified trade body such as RECI and ECSSA. Ask your prospective supplier for evidence of training or experience within the company.

Health and Safety

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2006 prescribe the duties and responsibilities of all parties (client and provider) engaged in construction activities with regard health and safety. One of the main duties of a client is the appointment of project supervisors for the design and construction stages of a construction project (PSDS and PSCS). Domestic works are exempt from this requirement unless a trade or business is undertaken on the premises. Turbine suppliers and installers should provide an undertaking that the works will be carried out in line with the requirements of the 2006 regulations. Clients should make themselves familiar with their duties under the regulations.

Warranty

Some manufacturers and suppliers offer warranties with major equipment and parts. Ask a selection of suppliers what warranty they offer. Some offer warranties of up to 5 years.

After sales service

Turbines may not always operate to desired performance levels following initial installation. Certain issues may not become apparent until certain wind speeds are reached or certain actions are required (braking for example). The response of the installer to a request for a call-out from a customer can be a key factor in determining if the customer has a good experience. If at all possible, customers should make contact with existing customers to gauge their opinion on a supplier or equipment. It is vital for the turbine to be kept operating so that the energy in the wind is not wasted while electricity is imported from the grid.

The availability of after sales service is an advantage local or national suppliers and installers have over cheaper, international online suppliers.

Maintenance

Most turbines require some level of maintenance and a schedule for routine maintenance will be recommended by the manufacturer. Some claim to be maintenance free and some turbines require more maintenance than others.

The required maintenance of a turbine can depend on local conditions such as the amount of turbulence experienced by the turbine and the corrosiveness of the air (sea air contains salts for example). A good quality turbine will have key mechanical and electrical components constructed out of marine grade or corrosion resistant materials such as stainless steel and brass.

Turbulent airflow will demand more of a turbine. The loading and unloading of blades and bearings and the extra movement associated will increase wear and tear. An analogy with cars can be used. The shocks of a car which travels with light loads on smooth roads will last much longer than the same model car on rough roads with heavy loads.

Suppliers may offer a period maintenance contract or offer a per-visit charge. Annual maintenance may be as simple as re-greasing wearing surfaces. Ask prospective suppliers what maintenance is required by their turbine manufacturer and ask for an estimate for call-out charges beyond the period covered by the warranty.

Turbines have potential to be dangerous so maintenance should only be carried out by trained individuals. Especially as the turbine will have to be accessed by lowering with a crane or winch or accessed via a raised platform.