This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Launch of rooftop wind turbine pilot
18/05/2004
The first installation of a world-leading rooftop
turbine took place today at a Fife school.
One rooftop turbine is being installed at each of five
Fife Primary schools in the new pilot, and if successful,
the turbines could be sited on houses and buildings across
Scotland.
The revolutionary Swift turbine has been developed by
Edinburgh company Renewable Devices Limited, and is at the
cutting edge of global renewables technology.
Speaking at Collydean Primary School, Glenrothes, Deputy
Enterprise Minister Lewis Macdonald said:
"This is an exciting development and I'm delighted that
a leading edge Scottish company is at the forefront of this
research and development.
"This is a great example of Scottish innovation at its
best and, if the Fife pilot is successful, there is the
potential for green jobs for Scotland.
"These small turbines can be installed on roofs in urban
or rural environments and directly power the building with
no need to feed into the grid. This could have far reaching
implications for the way we use green energy across
Scotland.
"I'm also pleased that children at the schools involved
are so enthusiastic about the project and I am impressed
with their level of knowledge of and support for renewable
energy," he said.
The turbines were developed by Renewable Devices Limited
with £45,000 funding from the Executive's SMART and SPUR
award schemes.
The trial launched by Mr Macdonald today involves one
Swift Rooftop Wind Energy System being installed in each of
five Fife Primary schools, in a joint initiative funded by
the Executive (£15,000) through the Scottish Community and
Household Renewables Initiative, Renewable Devices
(£15,000), ScottishPower (£15,000) and Fife Council
(£5,000).
Each turbine can generate up to 4000 kW hours of green
electricity each year, saving up to 1720kg carbon dioxide,
the main greenhouse gas and cutting the school's energy
bill by up to £284. They generate minimal vibration.
Pupils at Collydean Primary School have been working on
projects about the turbine being installed on the roof of
their school.
Rebekah Brown, a Primary 7 pupil said :
"Putting up a wind turbine saves money and energy.
Not only that, but our environment is also being helped.
So if everyone was to make an effort to help a little bit,
lots of the little bits could make a big difference."
David Anderson of Renewable Devices said :
"Renewable Devices is extremely pleased to be
installing one of the first Swift Rooftop Wind Energy
Systems. With the help of the Executive, the company has
grown very quickly since its inception 2 years ago and is
now a major presence in the Scottish renewable energy
industry.
"The company's philosophy of making renewable energy
technology more accessible is perfectly encapsulated in
this pilot project which provides enormous educational
potential, as well as significant environmental
benefits."
The project will be monitored and evaluated and the
company anticipate going into large scale production within
12 months. Prices for installation should start at around
£1500.
Claire Doherty, ScottishPower's Green Product Manager,
said:
"The ScottishPower Green Energy Trust is delighted to
be supporting this revolutionary project which we hope will
go a long way towards creating environmental benefits for
people living in Fife.
"Since 1998, the Trust has successfully increased
our use and knowledge of renewable energy by providing
grants totaling over £450,000 towards more than 50 similar
projects throughout the UK, helping to reduce our reliance
on fossil fuels and tackling climate change."
Mike Thornton, Head of Energy Saving Trust Scotland
said:
"Renewable energy doesn't have to be large scale;
renewables can reduce energy bills for householders,
schools and village halls to name but a few. This project
shows that the Scottish renewables industry is delivering
new products which meet the needs of the small scale
user.
"We expect small wind turbines to become an increasingly
common sight throughout the country."
The Scottish Executive is committed to increasing the
amount of electricity generated in Scotland from renewable
sources to 40 percent by 2020.
The Scottish Community and Householder Renewables
Initiative (SCHRI) was launched by the Scottish Executive
in January 2003 to support the development of small scale
renewable energy projects in Scotland. £5 million is
available under the SCHRI to 2005. SCHRI is managed jointly
by the Energy Saving Trust in Lowland Scotland and
Highlands and Islands Enterprise in the Highlands and
Islands.
www.est.org.uk/schri
Renewables Devices Limited was founded in May 2002 by Dr
Charles Silverton and Dr David E. Anderson and provides
accessibole renewable energy solutions through its product
development and consultancy services. In less than one year
the company became a sustainable business and, with the
help of £45,000 SMART and SPUR awards from the Executive
has developed the world's first silent rooftop-mountable
wind energy system - the Swift Rooftop Wind Energy
System.
The system can provide electricity to heat domestic hot
water, providing electrical generation that reduces fuel
costs without disrupting the grid supply.
ScottishPower's Green Energy Trust supports the
development of new renewable energy sources in the UK by
offering grants to a wide range of projects that will
increase the use and knowledge of renewable energy.
In addition to the environmental benefits, Fife Council
also considers wind turbines as valuable resources in
supporting energy and environmental areas of the education
curriculum. The data and information available from the
operation of the turbine will be used by school children in
their practical studies in these areas.
The SMART and SPUR schemes are the Executive's foremost
policy instruments for supporting near-market research and
development projects by small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs). SMART is for a technical and commercial feasibility
study. SMEs successfully completing their projects and
require additional assistance to develop a pre-production
prototype can apply for further funding under the SPUR
scheme.