The document proposes a community wind turbine project for Ballynagran that would generate electricity for the national grid and provide financial benefits to the local community. A single 500kw turbine is proposed, which would not require the lengthy Gate process for grid connection and have lower planning requirements. It is estimated the turbine could generate €82,000 annually for the community by selling electricity to the grid. Views of the potential turbine location and impacts like visuals, noise, and shadow flicker are presented and addressed. Next steps outlined are getting community feedback, discussing the land lease, and applying for planning and grid connection if feedback is positive.

1. Ballynagran – Communtiy wind turbine project
5th November 2013
Proposed Ballynagran Community
Wind Turbine
www.zecos.eu
www.zecs.eu

2. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Introductions: •Ballynagran Energy + Community
• Established to assist the Ballynagran Community benefit from the Community Landfill Levy
Who are we?
• Various smaller projects including Household Energy Survey, BER Ratings, Energy monitors etc.
•MosArt
• MosArt is an architectural design practice owned by Tomas O’Leary and Art McCormack
• Christoph Walter has acted as Project Manager for the Ballynagran Energy + Project and is currently
Chairman of the Energy Sub-Committee
Tim Ryan (energyfocus.ie)
• Independent Chartered Energy Advisor (part time, voluntary basis).
• Volunteer in Ballynagran Energy +, member of the Energy Sub-Committee
• Coordinated all Glenealy Village Hall Projects 2011- 2013
• Advised O’Hanlon Herbs on selection and installation of biomass (woodchip) heating system for their
large herb producing greenhouses in Glenealy.
www.zecos.eu

3. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What is in
this for the
us?
•Mosart:
•MosArt are involved in a European INTERREG co-funded ZECO2S (Zero Emission
Certification Scheme) project which aims to assist communities to lower their carbon
footprint. Ballynagran is MosArt’s research community for this ZECO2S project. The
proposed wind turbine could be an important demonstration project for ZECO2S.
•Assistance to the wind turbine project by MosArt is being provided free of charge to the
community and MosArt will not benefit financially from the project.
•Tomas O’Leary, co-founder of MosArt lives in the basin area and could eventually benefit
from the project in the same way as any other resident in this community.
•Energy+ Volunteers :
•No members of the Energy+ Committee will receive fees or financial benefit for assistance provided
with this project. Those who live in the basin area could eventually benefit from the project in the
same way as any other resident in this community.
So why help? My personal reasons are :
•Improving the planet for my children and future generations.
•Assisting a local community to benefit from a real opportunity
•There is potential to replicate this through Ireland which could make a real difference
www.zecos.eu

4. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What is
proposed?
• A small, single wind turbine to
generate electricity for sale to the
national grid for the benefit of the
Ballynagran Basin Community
• In the 2011 community survey,
80% of respondents stated that
they were, in principle, in favour
of a community wind farm. This
prompted the Energy SubCommittee to proceed to this
stage.
• Todays proposal is much smaller
and therefore a more realistic
www.zecos.eu
proposition.

5. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What is
proposed?
• A Turbine upto 500kw is not
required to go through the ESB
“Gate” process for connection,
and has less planning
requirements. These two factors
greatly reduce costs and time to
installation. (6-12 months Vs 10+
years).
• It is proposed that this project
could be developed by the
community for the benefit of the
community.
www.zecos.eu

6. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What is the scale of the proposed Turbine?
Arklow Bank
75m Hub Height
100m Diameter
Ballynagran Turbine
40m Hub Height
40m Diameter
220kV Pylon
45m High
www.zecos.eu
Dublin Spire
125m Height

7. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Where is
the
proposed
location?
www.zecos.eu

8. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Why was
this location
selected?
• The area identified has a good wind resource, sufficient to
make this project viable & provide income for the community.
• The area is furthest away from residential houses within the
Ballynagran Basin (minimum 500m so potential for noise and
shadow flicker is minimised)
• There is potential to lease land from a land owner within the
community (open fair competition). The land owner would
receive a small rental income for the site and access.
• A small area is required for the turbine base and sub-station
building (turbine does not compromise remainder of field). A
solid access road is required for cranes to install.
www.zecos.eu

9. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Why was
• The area proposed is close to an existing HV electricity line
this location
thereby reducing connection costs.
selected?
• The area is accessible through existing or new access roads
for installation & maintenance
• The area is well screened from most locations within the
Ballynagran Basin through either topology or hedgerow .
• We will demonstrate likely views from all areas later in
evening.
www.zecos.eu

10. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What will it
look like in
the location?
View D: from Kilkandra
www.zecos.eu

11. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What will it
look like in
the
location?
View A : from N11 north of Beehive
www.zecos.eu

12. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What will it
look like in
the
location?
View C: from N11 north of Beehive
www.zecos.eu

13. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What will it
look like in
the
location?
View B: from Wicklow road east of Beehive
www.zecos.eu

14. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What are
the costs?
(Based on a
used, but fully
reconditioned
Vestas Turbine.)
Why a used
Turbine?
Due to the size of
turbine proposed, there
are many reconditioned
models available which
generate a significant
amount of electricity.
A new turbine would
generate slightly more,
but not enough to
justify the additional
costs involved in
purchasing a new one.
www.zecos.eu

15. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What is the
generation
capacity
•While the proposed Turbine is small, and an older design, it
has been proven to generate a high level of electricity
•Based on available wind levels, it is estimated that the
turbine will generate approximately €82,000 worth of
electricity per annum (based on current electricity rates)
•This is equivalent to enough electricity for approximately
250 homes
•It can be quickly connected to the grid (due to small scale
<500kw)
www.zecos.eu

16. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Are there
ongoing
costs?
• Financing costs (depending on level of grant support): €20,000 €50,000 per annum over 15 years @ 5%.
• Maintenance Costs: €4,000
YES:
(*all costs
approximate)
• Insurance: €1,000
• Land Lease :€2,000
• Accountancy Fees (Trust): €1,000
• Sinking Fund (Future repairs etc.): €4,000
• Profit: €50,000 - €20,000 Per Annum (depending on % grant
funding) for the community.
www.zecos.eu

17. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
•Potential for an income stream, generated within the
What is in
Ballynagran Community for the sole benefit of the
this for the
Ballynagran Ballynagran Community.
Community?
•All profits would be owned and controlled by the community
through a trust, run by members of the community.
•The community can agree how the income/benefits are
allocated, i.e. those most effected by the Landfill (or the
turbine) could benefit the most.
•What could the Ballynagran Community use the net income
for?
www.zecos.eu

18. You Control
Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
3rd Level Grants
Free Calls
So what's new there?
Internet Business
The Money…
www.zecos.eu

19. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Free or reduced cost Electricity,
Heating Oil or Waste Collection,
through bulk purchase and
Community Fund discounts.
www.zecos.eu

20. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Why Not Cash??
www.zecos.eu

21. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
What are the
down-sides
of this
proposal?
Common arguments against wind turbines are:
•Visual Impact
•Shadow Flicker
•Noise
•Electro-magnetic effects (power lines)
www.zecos.eu

22. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
www.zecos.eu
15%
35%
13
%
Also consider wind
direction, Turbine
only fully visible if
up or down wind.
%
Minimal from most
directions due to
screening, detailed
views from
throughout the
community
available after this
presentation.
15
Visual
Impact:
45m Pylons

23. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
33%
Sun always to South
Changes height in the sky through the year
www.zecos.eu
15%
Turbine can be programmed to stop at set times
on set days every year if required.
10
%
Screening
prevents shadow
flicker.
%
Very short term
effect caused by
the turbine blades
turning in the
direct path
between the sun
and the viewer.
10
Shadow
Flicker:

24. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Noise:
10
%
Noise is caused by
swish of turbine
blades and shaft
rotation.
33%
Relatively low,
worst down wind,
can increase with
which screens it.
www.zecos.eu
15%
background noise
10
%
speed, but so does

25. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
ElectroMagnetic
Effects:
Not applicable as
MV & HV Power
Lines are already
in place.
HV -------MV -------www.zecos.eu

26. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Next Steps?
Ask Community for feedback on proposal (feedback
form).
•If feedback is positive:
•Commence discussions with landowners re exact location.
•Confirm proposed turbine location & agree rental SPP.
•Proceed with Planning Permission & Grid Connection
Applications
•If Planning and ESB Connection are approved, community
will need to establish a Trust, we will assist.
•Grant Applications, Funding, Installation – Power…..
•If Feedback is negative:
•No further progress on this proposal.
www.zecos.eu

27. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Conclusion
•We believe that this is a real opportunity for the community
most effected by the landfill to finally benefit from the
community levy fund, which to date has mostly gone
elsewhere.
•If this Turbine is installed, regardless of the future of the
landfill, the Ballynagran Basin Community will have a
source of income into the future.
•This project could lead to other opportunities for this
community to benefit from other grants or initiates, or
expand the range of discounts etc. available to residents.
www.zecos.eu

28. Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
Thank you.
Any Questions?
www.ballynagran.com
christoph@mosart.ie
tim@energyfocus.ie
www.zecos.eu