Windy Cities?
Are Wind Turbines Viable in Cities?

A new research program into the urban wind resource aims to clarify the overall potential of small-scale wind energy

Small wind turbines can save carbon emissions by avoiding use of grid electricity, and are an important technology to consider in helping the UK move to a low carbon economy. However, little is known about the actual wind resource of our towns and cities, making the potential carbon savings of small wind turbines difficult to determine.

The amount of carbon emissions saved by a wind turbine depends on the quantity of electricity produced, which is strongly dependent on local wind conditions. Wind conditions at open, exposed sites, which tend to be in rural areas, are possible to predict and therefore electricity production can be estimated with confidence. But wind conditions in built-up, urban areas are not well understood, which means that estimating electricity production can be difficult.

Recognising this, the Carbon Trust is commissioning new research into wind conditions in urban areas. This will seek to improve understanding about wind flows in towns and cities to clarify how turbines should be sited for maximum carbon savings. By adding to existing understanding about rural areas, the research will allow conclusions to be drawn about the overall carbon savings potential of small-scale wind energy (both urban and rural), and also about the economics of deployment.

John Callaghan, Technology Strategy Manager at the Carbon Trust said:

“We are very interested in small-scale wind energy and believe this research is essential to understand the potential carbon savings. It will help consumers and organisations that are considering installing small wind turbines to evaluate how to do this, and give new insights to policy makers about the carbon savings contribution that small-scale wind energy can make.”

The decision to undertake the research has been widely welcomed by key organisations active in the sector, including the British Wind Energy Association, the Energy Savings Trust, the Micropower Council and the Renewable Energy Association.

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