Onshore Wind
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The onshore wind system in place around the complex is almost exclusively to provide electricity for the on site facilities. With the presence of the far more productive offshore wind farm and government cuts to the onshore wind industry, it wouldn't be economically viable to build a large onshore wind farm.
Instead, there are a number of Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) scattered around various locations in the complex, usually either at high points or in areas where they will be greatly affected by the effects of wind channelling between buildings. VAWTs are also a good option because they can be fitted into smaller areas where it would be impractical to try and build larger turbines. |
Amongst some of the key locations of the VAWTs are along the coast, near where the wave and tidal power base is to make use of some od the strong offshore winds as they roll inland. There are also VAWTs positioned on the roof of some of the buildings such as the biomass power plant and the energy research centre. The VAWTs, being primarily to generate electricity for the site, are generally connected directly to the building/facility they are going to be powering to provide electricity boosts, rather than to the national grid or to the proposed