Wind turbine trial in London to disseminate performance data, says
Marc Zanchetta

The purpose of the Wind Turbine Trial at Ashenden House, Heygate Estate is to assess the viability of deploying small scale roof-top turbines across the Elephant and Castle core development area, with a view to achieving a significant proportion of the Mayor’s 10% renewable energy aspiration.

To date, a proven 6kW horizontal axis turbine has been installed on the roof of Ashenden House, a residential block within the Heygate estate. A second turbine, the Quiet Revolution QR5, was installed in December 2007.

The specific objectives of the trial are to:
- Monitor roof top wind characteristics
- Monitor turbine power
production and energy yield
- Compare with current
prediction methods and
manufacturer’s data
- Use measured data to refine
prediction of energy yield
from desk-top studies
- Identify impacts of
constraints e.g. size, weight,
maintenance requirements
- Obtain acoustic and
vibration data: pre- and
post-installation
- Gauge community reaction
to deployment of wind
turbines on buildings e.g.
visual impact
- Compare performance of
turbine technologies and
responses from local
community
- Make site specific data on
turbine installation,
performance, noise and
vibration available to
planners and design teams

The turbine trial is being conducted over a period of 12 months from June 2007 until July 2008 in collaboration with the London South Bank University (LSBU). It is anticipated that at the end of this period the turbines will be demounted and relocated to London South Bank University
for ongoing study.

The pilot is being conducted in the context of the Elephant and Castle Regeneration Scheme, which is set to establish new standards of environmental responsibility in urban redevelopment.

Brian Dunlop Associates and Gas Dynamics have worked closely with the London Borough of Southwark to establish strategies for energy efficiency, the deployment of renewable energy technology and a move towards a decentralised low carbon energy supply capable of delivering heat, cooling and power to 6.5 million square feet of mixed use development.

Marc Zanchetta is a consulting engineer with Gas Dynamics,
which with Brian Dunlop Associates is in charge of the planning application, technical coordination, commissioning, data acquisition software, quality assurance and data processing

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