Eco Evolution Blog

Global Wind Day 2016 is being celebrated through the month of June here in Ireland. Irish wind farm events are running in partnership with events taking place, across Europe and around the globe. Global Wind Day is coordinated by Wind Europe and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) to raise awareness of the positive benefits of our clean, safe and renewable wind energy.

This year in Ireland we’re celebrating through the month of June with wind farms across Ireland hosting an array of events to celebrate wind energy with family open day visits and tours, 5k and 10k runs on wind farms, educational events, business events and more. The activity dates vary and some are hosting public wind farm open-days so that families can learn about wind energy and see the turbines in operation themselves, whilst others are inviting schools for fun, games and facts on wind.

It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. In more than 75 countries around the world, wind farms are in operation, generating energy from a clean and renewable source.

Some events need pre-registration and booking so please check out the listing below.

Come and help celebrate Irish renewable wind energy around Global Wind Day 2016, find the nearest event to you at the listing below, and keep checking in as new events are added:

Global Wind Day Events around Ireland 2016. Photo Credit: IWEA

How it all began:

The Wind Day was first held in 2007, as the European Wind Day organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The main idea was to connect a network of partners as well as using centralised communication tools, press releases and distribution of gadgets and coordinate of event organised by national wind energy associations and companies active in the wind energy field. The Wind Day in 2007 reached 18 countries, with a participation of around 35,000 people. By 2008, the event’s reach extended to 20 European countries and attracted 100,000 people.

In 2009, EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and extended the reach from European associations and companies to coordinate Wind Day events across the globe. That year, the 300 events in 35 countries across the globe reached up to 1,000,000 people.

In 2010 and 2011 between 220 and 230 events took place in around 30 countries. Since 2009, Global Wind Day has reached more than 1,000,000 people plus the thousands of people engaging and supporting the event through online means such as social media.

Last year was a great success in Ireland with over 1000 people visiting wind farms across the country. This year sees a number of wind farms across Ireland hosting an array of events to celebrate wind energy. The activity dates vary and some are hosting family days whilst others are inviting schools for fun, games and facts on wind.

Events organised around Ireland to celebrate Global Wind Day – Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)

Ampair 6kW Wind turbine

Technical Specifications at a glance:

• MCS Certified Product
• Eligible for Feed-in tariffs or NIROC’s depending on where you live
• Generates power continuously from below 3 m/s
• Simple robust design
• Tested in the strongest IEC class I wind conditions
• Suitable for coastal locations
• Multiple tower options
• Models for grid connection, battery charging, or direct heating

Technical Specification

Power Curve

The Design:

Coatings: All main structural components are hot-dip galvanised or interzinc primed for enhanced corrosion protection.

Tail Rudder: When the prevailing wind blows the rudder will be forced parallel to the wind direction. This motion will rotate the turbine to face into the wind.

Tail Plane: Unlike the rudder, the tail plane does not direct the rotor. Its primary function is to aid the furling action of the turbine by lifting the tail in high winds.

Blades: The  fibreglass blades are recognised as one of the strongest and durable designs on the market. They are complete with winglets which enhance airflow to produce an incredibly quiet turbine.

Rotor: The rotor has a swept area of 24m². The design of our bearings, efficient generator and  blades allow the fixed pitch rotor to move freely; which is why no other competitor machines will better the 6kW on low wind start-up.

Paint Options: Choose your colours. We offer light grey, gloss white, off white and light green. Blade sets can also receive a gloss black finish. If you want something extra, we will do our best to provide.

Seals: Throughout the machine we use high quality seals to protect our bearings and other components. The generator itself is completely sealed from the natural environment, giving a long trouble free turbine life span even in the harshest conditions,

Bearings: Ampair only use the highest quality branded bearings. The bearings have been selected to last the machine lifespan without the need for their replacement.

Nacelle: Ampair are one of the few manufacturers who use galvanised steel nacelles. As a result of this design feature the turbine is extremely well protected from corrosion.

Yaw: Ampair uses a passive yaw design. Our high quality branded bearings, with no gearing, offer a yaw mechanism that is very robust.

Magnets: Ampair  use some of the worlds strongest Rare Earth Magnets (Ne-Feb-Br) available; maximising power production capabilitity.

Ampair 6kW Noise Report

The market place offers a colossal range of small wind turbines but if you want a robust and reliable machine that will run for many years with minimal maintenance  you will find it in the Ampair range of turbines. The 6kW is an excellent wind turbine for a stand alone system in remote locations and has a track record unsurpassed.

We are the Irish resellers and installers of the Ampair range of wind and hydro turbines.  If you have a site suitable for a wind turbine and you’re interested in generating your own electricity contact us here.

Whether you want to charge your batteries on a mooring or generate electricity during offshore passages, there’s a wind turbine to fit the bill. The Ampair 100 is a heavy duty, 100 watt turbine for boats and remote off-grid charging.

Released in 1973, the Ampair 100 was one of the first marine wind turbines and has evolved to become the world’s most dependable and rugged small wind turbines on the market today and has proven reliability in every environment from Antarctic ice storms to Saharan dust. The design has barely changed in 40 years which shows that Ampair got it right first time!

The Ampair 100 is the smallest of the Ampair range. Built to last it can be easily recognised without the aesthetic benefit of a nose cone and is a well-proven all-weather machine. The six blades are mounted between two flanges, each blade secured with two bolts. The large-area tail fin is also bolted onto the cast aluminium body. The mounting bracket fits externally onto a 48mm outside diameter pole. Protection for the Generator is provided by a clever control system embedded in the generator. There is a stop switch option.

Ampair 100 – 100 watt turbine for boats and remote off-grid charging.

Performance: Available in 12, 24 and 48V, the Ampair 100 produces maximum efficiency at normal everyday wind speeds (7-18 knots) yet due to its self regulating blade design still delivers 100W continuously in any storm force wind.

Reliability: The Ampair 100 is constructed of solid cast aluminium with a marine-grade powder coated finish. It’s unique design ensures that it never needs to be turned off or ‘roped off’ in a storm and can be left running without worry.

Power Regulation: The 100 series regulators give the owner options to add solar panels and charge up to three separate battery banks all from a box no bigger than a paperback book.

The Ampair 100 has three installation options.

Stern Mount – Two aluminium poles and joiner, backstay strut, stainless steel wire side stays, c/w all necessary fittings. Places blade tips 2.1m (7’) above base for safety.

Gantry Mount  – Aluminium pole and base mounting flange.

Mizzen Bracket – Constructed from 100 x 50mm box section to withstand the torsional loading from any wind direction. Can be bolted or riveted or clamped to masts of varying diameter.

We are the official Irish distributors and installers of Ampair products. We have been supplying various sailing clubs and the Marine industry throughout Ireland with the Ampair 100. Ampair marine turbines come with a 5 year warranty as standard as well as their AmpairCaretm  – your access to lifetime worldwide technical support. If you would like more information on this or other Ampair products or would like to receive a brochure please contact us here.

Global Wind Day is a worldwide event that occurs annually on 15 June. It is a day for discovering wind, its power and the possibilities it holds to change our world. This year sees wind farms across Ireland hosting an array of events to celebrate wind energy. The activity dates vary and some are hosting public wind farm open-days so that families can learn about wind energy and see the turbines in operation themselves, whilst others are inviting schools for fun, games and facts on wind.

It is also a day for discovery of the work that has already begun by pioneers around the world. In more than 75 countries around the world, wind farms are in operation, generating energy from a clean and renewable source.

Thousands of individuals are involved in the production of energy from the wind, but for many people, wind energy is a mystery. Global Wind Day is the day when you can visit wind farms, meet experts, attend events and find out everything you want to know about wind energy.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA ) and the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC ) coordinate the Global Wind Day through a network of partners. The day started as a European one in 2007 and went Global in 2009. On 15 June, thousands of public events are organised all over the world.

Global Wind Day Events around Ireland 2014. Photo Credit: IWEA

How it all began:

The Wind Day was first held in 2007, as the European Wind Day organised by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). The main idea was to connect a network of partners as well as using centralised communication tools, press releases and distribution of gadgets and coordinate of event organised by national wind energy associations and companies active in the wind energy field. The Wind Day in 2007 reached 18 countries, with a participation of around 35,000 people. By 2008, the event’s reach extended to 20 European countries and attracted 100,000 people.

In 2009, EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and extended the reach from European associations and companies to coordinate Wind Day events across the globe. That year, the 300 events in 35 countries across the globe reached up to 1,000,000 people.

In 2010 and 2011 between 220 and 230 events took place in around 30 countries. Since 2009, Global Wind Day has reached more than 1,000,000 people plus the thousands of people engaging and supporting the event through online means such as social media.

Last year was a great success in Ireland  with over 1000 people visiting wind farms across the country. This year sees a number of wind farms across Ireland hosting an array of events to celebrate wind energy. The activity dates vary and some are hosting family days whilst others are inviting schools for fun, games and facts on wind.

Events organised around Ireland to celebrate Global Wind Day – Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA)