The sun heats the earth unevenly creating thermal air currents. In order to achieve equal temperatures around the earth these air pockets move about the earth as global wind. The energy that travels in the wind can be captured and converted to provide electricity.

Throughout history wind has been an indispensable resource for movement on water. From driving the sailing ships of traders to powering grain mills and pumping water by means of windmills the importance of wind energy to us throughout the ages is evident.

Wind energy provides a clean, sustainable solution to our energy problems. It can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels in generating electricity, without the direct emission of greenhouse gases. And there will always be wind; it is inexhaustible and renewable.

It is envisaged that wind power will make the most significant contribution to the achievement of national and international targets for green electricity due to its environmental benefits, technological maturity and competitiveness. The increased security it can deliver to Ireland's fuel supply (about 90% of Ireland's energy currently comes from imports, making us the least self-sufficient country in the industrialised world) is also a huge factor.

Wind Farms in Ireland

Wind energy's contribution to Ireland's electricity supply continues to rise with additional capacity. Since the first wind farm project was realised in 1992 at Bellacorrick, Co. Mayo, 1,379 MW of wind capacity has been installed at the end of June 2010. In order to achieve our national targets for renewable electricity by 2020 (40%) an estimated 5,500-6,000 MW of wind generation is required.

Interesting Facts:

• The most up to date figures put Ireland’s total existing capacity to 1,837 MW generated from 158 farms in 27 counties.
• In 2009, wind power displaced approximately 1.28 million metric tonnes of CO₂ and primary energy imports of 215,000 metric tonnes of oil equivalent to a nation which is 89% dependent on imported energy supplies.
• At the end of 2009, 39% of all new generation added during 2009 was wind.
• In 2009 wind farms in Ireland supplied enough clean green power to support over 500,000 homes

Issues arising:

There are some effects on the environment such as impacts upon the landscape, bird life, noise and electromagnetic interference. First and foremost is the publics’ perception of them, how they look on the landscape and claims around health and safety for people living in their vicinity. On the business end of development, there are infrastructure holds ups around the need for expansion, grid applications taking up to 6 years, planning permission expiring after 5 years and an overall need for an upgrading of the national grid structure.

How a wind turbine works

• Most wind turbines operating commercially today in Ireland consist of 3 rotor blades that rotate around a horizontal hub. The blades face into the wind and rotate as the wind passes through them. The rotor is connected to a nacelle (housing for the generator and other electrical equipment) that is located at the top of a tower to ensure a higher and less interrupted wind flow.
• Wind turbines start operating at approximately 4 - 5 metres per second (approximately 16-18 km.p.h.) reach a maximum output at 12 - 14 m/s and automatically shut down for safety at wind speeds greater than 25 m/s (approximately 80 km.p.h.).
• The rotating motion is accelerated through the turbine transmission into the generator that converts the motion to electricity. When more air passes through the blades, more electricity can be produced.
• The low voltage electricity from the generator is 'stepped up' through a transformer to match the national grid voltage. The electricity is transported from the wind turbine to the grid along electric cables which may be buried underground within the wind farm site.
• The electricity from the wind farm joins the national grid at a sub-station.

Positives of Wind Energy

1. Wind turbines produce no pollutants, no harmful gas emissions, no effluent, no waste products and no radioactivity. There are no ill effects to populations locally, elsewhere in the world or to future generations.
2. Every mega watt (MW) of installed Irish wind energy capacity displaces of 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide and other emissions.
3. In a year one new MW of wind will produce enough power for an average home for 525 years.
4. Each additional MW of installed wind removes the need to import the oil equivalent of 560 tonnes or a coal equivalent of 797 tonnes.
5. The energy used in the manufacture of a wind turbine is typically made back within 6 months of the turbine becoming operational.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland has developed the Atlantic Marine Energy Test Site (AMETS), focusing on wave energy and located off Annagh Head, west of Belmullet in County Mayo.

The purpose of the wave energy test site at Belmullet is to provide a location for the temporary mooring and deployment of wave energy machines so that their performance in generating electricity and their survivability can be tested and demonstrated in open ocean conditions. It is proposed for the site to operate for up to 15 years with devices on site intermittently throughout the year.

Smart Meters are an advanced utility meter for electricity, natural gas or water that always includes two-way communications technology.

In an electricity smart meter:

• It records consumption of electricity during short time periods (for example every 15 minutes rather than about two months between meter reads).
• It can distinguish between and record the import and export of electricity.
• There is electronic communication between a central control location and each Smart Meter that allows readings to be transmitted without the need for a visit by a meter reader or the consumer to submit a meter reading.
• It can receive instructions to switch the electricity supply to the premises on or off.