Wind Turbine Solutions

A Guide to Wind Turbine Solutions for Business

Considering wind energy as a way to power your business and reduce emissions? You’ve come to the right place.

At Ennovus Solutions, we partner with organisations of all sizes to help them navigate their journey to net zero. Wind energy offers a highly reliable and sustainable solution, enabling businesses to reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and secure long-term energy independence. This guide explores everything you need to know about wind turbines for commercial sites.

What is Wind Energy and Why Should Businesses Consider It?

Wind turbines harness the natural movement of air to generate electricity. They convert kinetic energy into clean, renewable energy, making them an integral part of the global shift towards greener energy systems.

By adopting wind energy, businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on non-renewable resources, mitigate exposure to volatile energy prices, and showcase their commitment to sustainability. With technology advancements, wind turbines are more efficient and versatile than ever, making them a practical choice for many commercial applications.

Three Major Benefits of Wind Turbines for Businesses

Wind turbines offer distinct advantages that make them an excellent choice for commercial energy needs.

Consistent generation profile

Wind turbines are able to generate clean electricity throughout the day, providing a significant offset for businesses. A business that utilises power constantly through say refrigeration, or powering servers, can benefit greatly from wind generation.

Seasonal benefits and solar synergies

Wind energy production often complements other renewable sources like solar. For instance, wind speeds tend to be higher in winter when solar generation is lower, providing a balanced renewable energy mix.

Environmental impact and sustainability goals

Operating with zero greenhouse gas emissions, wind turbines enable businesses to make significant strides toward reducing their carbon footprint and meeting both voluntary and regulatory sustainability targets. This positions businesses as forward-thinking and environmentally responsible in the eyes of clients, partners, and stakeholders.

Types of Wind Turbines and Their Suitability for Businesses

Choosing the right type of wind turbine depends on your site, energy requirements, and operational priorities. Here are the two primary types to consider.

Horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs):

Known for their scalability and high efficiency, Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) are the preferred choice for large-scale energy production. By utilising tall towers and large rotor blades, they capture stronger and steadier winds at higher altitudes, maximising energy output. HAWTs are best suited for open landscapes with consistent windy conditions, such as rural areas, coastal regions, and industrial sites, where they can operate efficiently with minimal obstructions, ensuring reliable and sustainable power generation.

Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs):

Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) are compact and versatile. Unlike HAWTs, they can capture wind from any direction, allowing them to operate efficiently in turbulent airflow. This makes them well-suited for urban or obstructed areas, rooftops and small commercial sites. Their lower height and quieter operation reduce visual and noise concerns, while fewer moving parts often mean lower maintenance. Though typically less powerful than HAWTs, advancements in design are improving their efficiency and application potential.

Where to Install Wind Turbines?

The installation site will significantly impact your wind turbine’s performance. Key options are outlines below.

Wind Resource

Wind speed is key, often the windiest areas are coastal or flatter regions. However, there are very few areas of the UK that don’t experience average wind speeds above 5m/s – the typical minimum recommended wind speed to warrant installation.

Ground-mounted Turbines

For businesses with access to open land, ground-mounted turbines offer optimal performance due to better wind exposure. These systems require planning permission but can generate significant energy output, making them ideal for larger-scale applications.

Rooftop Turbines

Rooftop turbines are a practical option for businesses in urban areas or with limited land availability. While smaller in scale, they make efficient use of existing infrastructure and provide a straightforward route to incorporating wind energy.

Overcoming Barriers: Addressing Common Concerns

Businesses may have questions or concerns about wind turbines, but these can be effectively addressed through an appropriately designed system and thorough project management:

Planning permissions:
Navigating the planning process can be complex, but expert advice and thorough preparation can streamline the process. Ennovus will manage all elements of the planning process, via our dedicated in-house planning team, from initial engagement through to project consenting.
Noise levels:
Modern turbines have been designed to operate more quietly, some of latest models are comparable to a quiet living room at a distance of 50m away.
Visual impact:
A common concern is the visual impact of wind turbines, particularly during the planning consenting stages. However, recent studies show that 80% of UK people are in favour of the UK deploying more onshore wind energy. Proper selection and siting of the turbine can vastly minimise these issues.
Initial investment:
A Wind turbines require upfront capital; however, the long-term savings across a 20-year lifespan make them a good investment choice for most businesses. To help make wind turbines more accessible to all businesses, Ennovus Solutions provide four different funding models, that require no upfront capital and aim for a net positive benefit from year one.

Ennovus’ staged process is designed so that projects can tackle hurdles early, enabling increasing project confidence as the system is developed, all while minimising cost on non-viable developments.

Funding Options for Wind Turbine Installations

Many suppliers offer funding solutions that will help most businesses get their wind turbine system off the ground. Ennovus, for example, offers a choice of four funding arrangements that ensure net benefit from year one:

• Supply Contract Integration (SCI)
• Energy as a Service (EaaS)
• Hire Purchase (HP)
• Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)

To find out more about funding options, please click here.

Please get in touch with Ennovus Solutions to see how we can support your business integrate on-site wind generation, become more grid independent, and take its next steps towards Net Zero.

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