NEWS > First wind turbine begins generating power at Bristol Airport
Published: Tuesday, 25 Jan, 2011
A wind turbine has been successfully installed at Bristol Airport. The vertical axis turbine is part of a pilot project to trial the use of renewable energy on the Airport site, and it began harnessing wind power in January 2011. The Quiet Revolution qr5, funded through a significant investment of GBP39,000 from the South West RDA, Regional Development Agency, is located on the approach road to the terminal building. At 20 metres in height, the wind turbine is shorter than lighting masts already in place across the airfield, ensuring it does not interfere with radar and airport safety systems.
A wind turbine has been successfully installed at Bristol Airport. The vertical axis turbine is part of a pilot project to trial the use of renewable energy on the Airport site, and it began harnessing wind power in January 2011. The Quiet Revolution qr5, funded through a significant investment of GBP39,000 from the South West RDA, Regional Development Agency, is located on the approach road to the terminal building. At 20 metres in height, the wind turbine is shorter than lighting masts already in place across the airfield, ensuring it does not interfere with radar and airport safety systems.
South Gloucestershire based wind turbine specialists, Aeolus Power Wind Energy Limited, ran the project from site survey to installation. The elegant helical (or ‘twisted’) design of the qr5 ensures a robust performance even in turbulent winds. It has very low noise and vibration levels and, at an average wind speed of 5.8 metres per second, the qr5 is expected to generate enough electricity in the coming year to make over 203,000 cups of tea.
Alan Davies, Planning and Environment Director, at Bristol Airport: “We are implementing a range of measures aimed at reducing energy use across the airport and the wind turbine is a high profile statement of our ambition to reduce our reliance on carbon.”
Christine Griffiths, Partner of Aeolus Power Wind Energy Limited, said: “When siting a wind turbine it is crucial to ensure that the site has sufficient wind and that the appropriate turbine is installed. The qr5 is ideal for Bristol Airport as it was specifically designed to work well in environments close to people and buildings.”
Bristol Airport is committed to controlling the adverse effects of its operations and minimising impact on the environment and local community. These aims are set out in the Airport’s Environmental Policy. Aeolus Power Wind Energy Limited has installed around 100 wind turbines across the UK for farmers, schools, businesses and communities, including the first 50kW wind turbine in Cornwall and the first in Scotland.
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