Adding a Small Wind Turbine from Gaia Wind to a Working Farm to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Output

Background
Site Conditions
Turbine Performance

Background

In November 2007 Esther Bukholt and Ole Nielsen installed the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW small wind turbine at their farm in Velling, Denmark.

Esther Bukholt and Ole Nielsen’s decision for the wind turbine was based on a desire to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and on reducing their electricity bill and current oil consumption of approximately 2000 litres per year. Ole Nielsen has always been a DIY builder and has also built a number of wind turbines. He has attended
a number of wind turbine classes at Tvind in Denmark as well as attended other courses in sustainable energy.

Esther and Ole chose the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW turbine because both safety and reliability are important to them.

During their entire professional and personal lives they have been surrounded by children which established their strong focus on safety.

Site Conditions

The turbine at Esther Bukholt & Ole Nielsen’s farm is situated about 1 km from Ringkøbing Fjord, approximately 14 m above sea-level. There are a number of trees on the premises, but Ole makes sure that they are regularly cut and don’t exceed a height of 8 metres so they have no influence on the performance of the wind turbine. The prevailing wind is from the west and has an average speed of 6-7 metres per second.

Turbine Performance

At the time of writing the wind turbine has been producing energy for the farm for 1½ years. In the first year the wind turbine produced 42 000 kWh, and in total it has produced 59 000 kWh. Hence Esther & Ole’s dream has come true with meeting all of their objectives – their own private wind turbine, greener energy and a substantial reduction in their electricity bill!

Source: Gaia-Wind