PROJECT "WEB"

WIND ENERGY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT (PROJECT WEB)

Project WEB sought to demonstrate that the sensitive use of wind turbines in urban areas should be recognised by policy-makers as a realistic response to the global environmental challenges we face.

Many countries have vast largely untapped renewable wind resources. Yet, while 75% of the EU (European Union) population lives in urban areas and our buildings account for over 40% of overall energy demand, there are virtually no wind turbines in our towns and cities where the majority of electricity is consumed.

Key objectives were to address barriers to use (e.g. reduced wind speeds in urban areas, the size of turbines relative to buildings, noise problems, safety fears, planning restrictions) by developing innovative technological solutions and producing design guidance for the integration of wind turbines in, on and around buildings. WEB considered 3 generic techniques for integration of wind turbines:

• sensitively siting or landscaping stand-alone machines in urban environments, which can supply surrounding buildings;
• retro-fitting turbines onto existing buildings;
• full integration, such that the turbines drive the architectural form of a new building.

Techniques for full integration were successfully demonstrated by the field-testing of a 2-storey prototype building or wind concentrator with an integrated HAWT and VAWT during the project. Designed by the team and fabricated in the Netherlands, the FSM was shipped to the UK for erection and field-testing.

Suggested acronyms for describing the technology developed are ‘Urban Wind Energy Conversion Systems’ (UWECS) and ‘Building Augmented Wind Turbines’ (BAWTS).

Draft guidance for UWECS developments has also been produced. The guidelines cover the conceptual design process and include methodologies for predicting energy yield, and categorising and assessing environmental impacts and economic costs. There will be both external and internal environmental impacts for UWECS.

Source : http://www.bdsp.com/web/