The document summarizes a community meeting about a proposed small wind turbine project in Ballynagran, Ireland. It introduces the wind energy project team and explains that the project aims to generate electricity from the turbine to benefit the local community. It describes the selected turbine location, provides visualizations of what the turbine may look like from different views, and outlines the potential costs, electricity generation capacity, and benefits for the community from income generated by selling electricity to the grid. It also addresses some concerns about the visual and noise impacts and next steps to obtain community feedback.

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Ballynagran Community
Wind Energy Project Briefing
Hubert Laird - Team Lead, Wind Energy Project
Tim Ryan - Energy Consultant - Wind Energy Team
Ballynagran – Wind Energy Project Community Meeting
16th
July 2014

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Introductions: Ballynagran Energy Plus+ Community
• Established to assist the Ballynagran Community benefit from the Community Landfill
Levy
• Various projects including Household Energy Survey, BER Ratings, Energy monitors
etc., support for Ballynagran Small Grant Schemes
Hubert Laird - Team Lead, Wind Energy Project
• Worked for IBM in various international roles, now Retired
Tim Ryan (energyfocus.ie)
• Independent Chartered Energy Advisor (part time, voluntary basis).
• Volunteer in Ballynagran Energy +, member of the Wind Energy Team
• Coordinated 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.
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Introductions: Some Other Wind Energy Team Members:
Christian Osthoff
Cabinet maker and forest owner within the basin area and in view of the turbine site.
Has an interest in nature, the environment and green energy
has built his own zero carbon passive house
Pat King
Chairperson - Ballynagran Energy Plus+
Owner of company Acer Networks
Telecomms consultant
Ger Delehunt
Asset Manager - Dublin Airport Authority.
Responsible for implementation & development of Computerised Maintenance Management
System for Dublin and Cork Airports.
Interests - renewable energy & energy conservation.
Faith Wilson - (Apologies - away in the west on field surveys)
Ecological Consultant - Provides Ecological support to the project
Fifteen years experience as an independent ecologist working on a variety of projects
nationally including six wind farms and several single turbines
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What is in
this for the
us?
Ballynagran Energy Plus+ Volunteers :
No members of the Ballynagran Energy+ Committee or Wind Energy Team will receive fees or
financial benefit for assistance provided with this project. Those of us 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 are we involved? Reasons for volunteering:
Hubert :
• I live in the Ballynagran Basin and believe those who see, hear and smell the landfill facility
should benefit from the landfill levy
• The levy will finish soon - I would like to see an ongoing benefit for the basin community
which lasts at least as long as the dump.
• It is an interesting energy project - with particular relevance today
• It is my contribution to the community in which I live
Tim:
•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 to other communities in Ireland which could make a real
difference
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Grants
Background - 2014 Community Grants Announced
Ballynagran Energy Plus+ submitted applications for funding for 3 projects:
1. Wind Energy Project
• Funding secured = €75,600
2. Energy Retrofit of Homes
• Funding secured = €78,864
3. Testing of Private Wells in Ballynagran Basin for Drinking Water Quality
• Funding Not Approved
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
All above projects are for the benefit of
householders in the Ballynagran Basin
(The Small Grant Area)

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What was
done
previously
• Initial Community Wind Energy meeting was held in 2013
• 3 sites were shortlisted for review and discussion with
landowners
• A feasibility study was carried out (previous grant funding)
• A decision was made to progress a wind energy project
Note: In the 2011 community survey, 80% of respondents stated that they were, in
principle, in favour of a community wind farm.
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What is
proposed?
Today’s
Proposal:
•To progress a small single wind
turbine project to planning to
generate electricity for sale to the
national grid for the benefit of the
Ballynagran Basin Community
(Small Grant Scheme Area)
•Actions taken to date on this
phase:
• Site selected
• In contract discussion with
landowner (Coillte)
• Grant request submitted and
approved
• Wind Energy Consultant
selected
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What is
Involved?
Main Project Tasks
•Negotiate Option and Lease
agreement with Landowner
•Install a Meteorological Mast on
proposed site for 6 months.
•Generate a detailed business case
from the data.
•Apply for and achieve Grid
connection approval.
•Produce necessary reports to
support the project.
1.Objective is to have planning
permission within 12 months and be
ready to develop the turbine
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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How will
the grant
be spent ?
Some of the items the grant will be
spent on:
•Legal costs associated with option
and lease agreements
•Wind Energy Consultant to manage
the process
•Option agreement costs
•Site access and preparation
•Installation of met mast
•Production of the detailed business
case
•Production of other required reports
•Grid Application
•Etc…etc
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What is
proposed?
Why a Small
Turbine ?
•A Turbine up to 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. (12 - 24 months Vs
10+ years).
•It is proposed that this project
would be developed by the
community for the benefit of the
community.
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What is the scale of the proposed Turbine?
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
Ballynagran Turbine
40m Hub Height
40m Diameter
Arklow Bank
75m Hub Height
100m Diameter
Dublin Spire
125m Height
220kV Pylon
45m High

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Where is
the
proposed
location?
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Where is
the
proposed
location?
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
Kilnamanagh Forest

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Why was
this location
selected?
• The area identified has the best wind resource, sufficient to
make this project viable & provide income for the community.
• The area is away from residential houses (minimum 500m) so
we do not believe there will be issues with noise and shadow
flicker.
• There is potential to lease land from Coillte. Early discussions
are taking place. Coillte seems keen to support community
projects.
• There is good access and there is a power line running quite
close by which may reduce grid connection cost.
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What will it
look like in
the location?
From: Beehive Pub
View D: from Kilkandra
Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
3.2 Km
Distance

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What will it
look like in
the location?
From: Kilmacurragh
View D: from Kilkandra
Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
2.4 Km
Distance

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What will it
look like in
the location?
From: Carrigmore
View D: from Kilkandra
Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
1.5 Km
Distance

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What will it
look like in
the location?
From: Coolbeg
View D: from Kilkandra
Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
2.5 Km
Distance

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Visit to a
Similar
Turbine
• It may be helpful for anyone with concerns, or who have an
interest, to visit a similar Turbine.
• We have contacted a family in North County Dublin who have a
similar sized turbine installed on their farm.
• They are happy to host a visit from Ballynagran Community.
• We plan to arrange this visit at the appropriate time - when
business case is produced and before the planning application
is submitted. We will arrange this and give lots of notice.
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What are
the costs?
(Based on a
used, but fully
reconditioned
Vestas Turbine.)
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
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.
SAMPLE ONLY

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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
• It is estimated that the turbine will generate over €80,000
worth of electricity per annum (based on current electricity
rates). This could generate up to €50,000 pa for the
community.
•This is equivalent to enough electricity for approximately
250 homes
•This will be validated by the Detailed Business Case
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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What is in
this for the
Ballynagran
Community?
•Potential for an income stream, generated within the
Ballynagran Community for the sole benefit of the Ballynagran
Community.
•All profits would be owned and controlled by the community
through a trust (with charitable status) or similar structure, run by
members of the community for the benefit 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?
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine
3rd
Level Grants
Free Calls
Internet Business

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Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
Free or reduced cost Electricity,
Heating Oil or Waste Collection,
Student Grants,
Etc..

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Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
What's new?????
The Community
Controls the
Income…...

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What are the
Possible
down-sides
of this
proposal?
Common arguments against wind turbines are:
•Visual Impact
•Shadow Flicker
•Noise
•Electro-magnetic effects (power lines)
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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

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

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

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Electro-
Magnetic
Effects:
Little impact as HV
Power Lines are
already in place.
MV Lines in close
proximity - grid
HV --------
MV --------
Ballynagran Community Wind Turbine

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Can You
Object?
Assume project continues - How do you object
• Planning permission not required for Met Mast
• Planning Permission is required for Turbine
• We will keep residents informed of progress and will
send out a newsletter before planning is submitted
(probably sometime in 2015)
• We suggest you talk to the team and explore the
likely impact on you or your property and also
discuss any concerns you have.
• If you want to, you can then lodge an objection to
planning in the normal way
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Next Steps?
We want your feedback on the proposal
If feedback is positive:
• Proceed with Project
• Complete the project through to planning
• Hand it over to our planning team
If The Community does not want this to proceed
•No further progress on this proposal.
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Do you
want to
Help?
We also want Volunteers to assist
If you are interested in this project please let us know
We would love to have you on board
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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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
•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 the
Ballynagran Basin community to benefit from other grants
or initiates
Ballynagran Wind Energy Project

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Ballynagran Wind Energy Project
Thank you.
Any Questions?
www.ballynagran.com
hlaird@eircom.net
tim@energyfocus.ie