Islay Estate Renewable Energy Project

In 2021 we assisted a Client to rationalise their power usage across their site.   It comprised a large house, a smaller cottage, an office and a Spa building including a swimming pool and gym area.
 
Previously the site had individual supplies from the grid, and a 20kW wind turbine that was feeding the spa building.  It made sense because at the time, the spa building was the biggest consumer.   However, with time, usage changed and whilst the wind turbine was exporting power on one supply, the Client was purchasing it back from their energy supplier for their other properties nearby, at 5-6 times the price.  By bringing the supplies together, we were able to supply all sites from the renewable power from the wind turbine.
 
We also fitted a large back up generator that gave the Client security of supply during grid instability.  Their old Lister had served its time, and could only supply limited consumers, which didn’t now meet with the Client’s requirements.  With the rationalisation of the supply points, the new generator was able to service consumers across the site. We linked the generator with the wind turbine to make sure that the two did not argue (a good analogy of much larger style grid challenges across the country!).  We also worked with our local partner Iain Woodrow Electrical Contractors, who had upgraded the main site electrics, and we fitted 2 EV chargers at the same time.
 
This year, the wind turbine, that had been stuttering along, became too much of a liability.  We worked with the Client to understand the issues with the turbine, and their frustrations with its operation.   The old C&F 20 turbine was replaced with a 13kW Gaia turbine, (now G-11 from Ryse Energy).  Whilst the maximum output of the turbine is reduced compared with the old one, there were a number of key benefits:
 

• The site is split phase – there are not many suppliers of split phase turbines but the G-11 is one.

• It works…… it has had a much better up time than the old turbine and therefore on an average annual basis – it generates commensurate amount of power.

• We had a ladder fitted to the mast – which means the majority of annual servicing can be done without dropping the tower, and the hassle of getting large plant booked onto ferries and across to the island.

• It has easy to access remote monitoring which means we can provide quick support to the Client, from a distance.

 
A good project and great support from T.A. Wood contractors on the Island.