“The British Wind Energy Association admitted there was a potential problem
similar to those experienced in Spain and California: “Insects do decrease
the performance of the blades by committing hara-kiri on them. Sea salt is
also an issue for offshore turbines. Tests have shown that can lead to a reduction
of 20%-30% in output.”
The BWEA claim an average output of 30% in the UK. That figure reduced
by a further 20% - 30% shows what a mighty dent midges can make in the output
of wind turbines.
AK
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January 04, 2004
Mike
Merritt
MIDGES and sea salt
could reduce the power generated by Highland wind farms by as much as a quarter,
denting the industry’s profitability in Scotland.
Wind farm managers will
test to check how much the combined weight of millions of the tiny dead insects
on the giant blades slow down the turbines.
“Suicidal” flying insects
have proved a big problem for wind farms abroad, in some cases reducing the
potential for electricity generation by a quarter or more.
Tests will
also be done to establish the threat to offshore wind farms — such as the
60-turbine Robin Rigg scheme in the Solway Firth — from accumulated sea salt on
the blades.
AMEC, which is proposing one of the world’s biggest wind
farms on the Isle of Lewis, says it is aware of the potential midge threat to
its £600m scheme for 300 turbines. The project aims to generate 600 megawatts
for the national grid.
The Lewis scheme is in the centre of a large peat
bog, where midges love to live and breed.
AMEC is also planning schemes
for 31 turbines at Aultmore in Moray and 47 turbines at
Clashindarroch.
Other schemes in midge country likely to be affected
include the world’s largest wind farm project — 360 turbines to be built by a
London-based firm called Wind Energy on the skylines of Ardnamurchan and Morvern
peninsulas and in the north of Mull.
AMEC said it was monitoring the
situation: “It is common practice to monitor the power output of operational
wind turbines and should a reduction in performance be observed due to insect
build-up, the blades would be cleaned to restore optimum
performance.”
The British Wind Energy Association admitted there was a
potential problem similar to those experienced in Spain and California: “Insects
do decrease the performance of the blades by commiting hara-kiri on them. Sea
salt is also an issue for offshore turbines. Tests have shown that can lead to a
reduction of 20%-30% in output.”
A2SEA, a Danish company, has developed
the first automatic wind turbine cleaner which washes and waxes the blades. It
was unveiled in Germany in September and will be available for hire to the
proposed Scottish schemes.