Wind helps power Raglan Area School

Wind helps power Raglan Area School

Raglan Area School is getting an energy boost from a new wind turbine installed on school grounds last month.

The school was chosen by WEL Networks to participate in a residential wind generation trial funded by the WEL Energy Trust. The trial is looking at the practicalities of small-scale wind technology as a form of distributed generation, or generation of energy close to the point of use.

The 1.9 kW Skystream turbine used for this trial is manufactured in the United States and has been especially designed for use in coastal regions and residential areas. It is the first installation of the technology into a school located in a residential area in New Zealand.

Malcolm Cox, Principal of Raglan Area School, says being a part of the trial fits in with the school’s value of kaitiakitanga.

“One of our school’s four core values is kaitiakitanga, which means respecting our environment, practicing sustainability and being green. Working with WEL Networks to trial wind generation is a practical opportunity that allows us to contribute to the environment while also being a model for our community.

“Our school also uses solar energy. So, this is a great chance for us to compare the two generation technologies. Both our wind and solar generation will be monitored from a classroom, where we’ll be able to match generation with weather patterns. It will be a great learning tool for our students,” explains Principal Cox.

WEL Networks CEO, Dr Julian Elder, said “The wind generation trial we are performing at Raglan Area School is part of a programme at WEL that is looking at innovative ways to manage and reinforce our network to improve capacity and reliability.

“We want to understand more clearly the costs and issues involved in residential wind generation, the amount of electricity that can be generated and how we can integrate this technology into our distribution network.

“It’s also a great opportunity for the public to have a look and learn more about the possibilities of small-scale wind generation,” says Dr Elder.

In the near future, WEL Networks will post live updates of the electricity being generated by Raglan Area School on its project website: www.welsmarthomes.co.nz. The public can also learn more about this and other innovative technologies WEL Networks is trialling at this website.

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Facts about the Skystream residential wind turbine being trialled by WEL Networks:
• Capacity = 1.9kW continuous rated output at 33Km/hr wind speed
• Downwind rotor with 240 volts ac inverter
• Rotor diameter, 3.7 meters
• Rotor height off ground, 10.2 metres
• Produces usable energy from as low as 12 km/hr wind speed
• Weight, 77kg

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