Go like the wind

Based in Loughborough, Leicestershire, the company has been in business for 12 years and has over 1,000 machines installed across the UK, Europe and USA.

Evance designs and manufactures turbines at its base in Leicestershire mainly for the export market – employing the skills of a significant number of UK subcontractors. The company is growing rapidly – in 2011 the factory was expanded and additional staff employed.

Small wind turbines are designed for use by rural/semi-rural homes, schools, businesses and farms wishing to generate their own green energy and benefit from reduced energy bills and save carbon emissions.

When installed, Evance's R9000 machine can generate over 13,000kWh of energy with an average wind speed of 6m/s, which is reasonably common in rural areas. This equates to a saving of 5.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

The R9000 is an efficient and quiet generator of power, which in the correct site can produce sufficient energy to power up to two average UK homes. With a considerable number of UK homes without Grid connection and a significant number of households with fuel poverty, the R9000 is an ideal solution.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) introduced by the Government has been successful in establishing a high degree of confidence in the quality, reliability and predictability of machines designed for 20 years of operation. The scheme, established in the UK, is now likely to be the basis of similar schemes in Europe, Asia and North America. It is vital that the Government stand behind the scheme and show that UK can lead the world.

The Feed-in Tariff scheme, introduced in April 2010, has been a positive incentive for individuals and small businesses to adopt the technology and help the UK move towards its renewable energy targets.

“The market for small wind in the UK has been estimated to be over 600,000 machines by 2020 – equivalent to 1.3GW capacity,” explains Evance's CEO Kevin Parslow. “In order to achieve this, the Government must ensure that the incentives to adopt the technology stay in place and at an acceptable level. Additionally, there needs to be a change in emphasis with the approach to planning at local level. The introduction of a Permitted Development Order (PDO) for small wind in domestic installations was welcome, but needs to be followed up with the equivalent for non-domestic installations.

“There is a misconception that all wind turbines are huge, industrial scale structures that can be seen from great distances,” he adds. “In fact, the R9000 on a tower is between 15m and 20m high – not much more than the height of a telegraph pole.” In March, Evance announced the installation of its 1,000th small wind turbine which has been sited at a residential home in Derbyshire where the renewable energy generated will provide electricity for the owner's home and for holidaymakers who come to the adjoining caravan park.

Anthony Barratt of Tansley near Matlock, owner of the 1,000th machine comments: “I've always been interested in turbines and keen to invest in green energy to support our home and business, so we are pleased that the financial benefits will support our efforts. We chose the R9000 machine as it has a reputation for reliability and performance, and it is unobtrusive, so there is minimal impact on our surroundings."

Mr Barratt's home uses approximately 10,000kWh of electricity per year, and the five caravan hook-ups can require a further 6,000kWh. Based on the estimated wind speed for the location, the R9000 should generate around 13,000kWh annually – covering a substantial part of the Barratt's electricity requirement.

“The installation of the 1,000th turbine is an important milestone for the Evance team,” Mr Parslow adds. “2011 proved a record sales year for the company and 2012 has got off to a very strong start. We've engineered the R9000 to ensure maximum energy yield and that's why rural home owners and small businesses, such as Mr Barratt, are increasingly turning to us for their renewable energy systems.”

Currently Evance small wind turbines installed in the UK and across Europe and North America can collectively generate around 11,000MWh of electricity annually so saving over 4,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions – the equivalent of taking around 2,100 cars off the road.

Evance
www.evancewind.com PHOTO CAPTION: The 1,000th Evance R9000 small wind turbine – installed at a home/caravan park near Matlock, Derbyshire