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Background
Site Conditions
Turbine Performance
Background
In November 2007 Esther Bukholt and Ole Nielsen installed the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW small wind turbine at their farm in Velling, Denmark.
Esther Bukholt and Ole Nielsen’s decision for the wind turbine was based on a desire to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and on reducing their electricity bill and current oil consumption of approximately 2000 litres per year. Ole Nielsen has always been a DIY builder and has also built a number of wind turbines. He has attended
a number of wind turbine classes at Tvind in Denmark as well as attended other courses in sustainable energy.
Esther and Ole chose the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW turbine because both safety and reliability are important to them.
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During their entire professional and personal lives they have been surrounded by children which established their strong focus on safety.
Site Conditions
The turbine at Esther Bukholt & Ole Nielsen’s farm is situated about 1 km from Ringkøbing Fjord, approximately 14 m above sea-level. There are a number of trees on the premises, but Ole makes sure that they are regularly cut and don’t exceed a height of 8 metres so they have no influence on the performance of the wind turbine. The prevailing wind is from the west and has an average speed of 6-7 metres per second.
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Turbine Performance
At the time of writing the wind turbine has been producing energy for the farm for 1½ years. In the first year the wind turbine produced 42 000 kWh, and in total it has produced 59 000 kWh. Hence Esther & Ole’s dream has come true with meeting all of their objectives – their own private wind turbine, greener energy and a substantial reduction in their electricity bill!
Source: Gaia-Wind