Micro wind issues (from Pete Anderson, MD of Eclectic Energy)

2007 has seen increasingly strident warnings from world scientists on the urgent need to address climate change. The use of fossil fuels and subsequent release of greenhouse gases needs to be dramatically reduced if the worst consequences of global warming are to be avoided.
There is no simple single solution to this problem, rather a range of energy efficiency measures and new clean energy technologies are required.
Eclectic Energy’s response has been to intensify development work on its urban micro wind systems. The DTI envisages up to 6 million small turbines installed in the UK by 2020. Taken together, these would represent over 3 giga watts of capacity, and would make a valuable contribution to the achievement of carbon dioxide reduction targets.
Together with our manufacturing partners, Applied Energy Products, Eclectic has established a dedicated wind turbine test centre where all aspects of system performance can be closely monitored. Eclectic’s D400 and StealthGen turbines are already acknowledged as the quietest and most productive machines in their class. The new test facility is invaluable to our policy of continual product improvement and performance optimisation.
Eclectic is also in talks with a major inverter manufacturer with a view to jointly producing a dedicated low cost unit to produce grid compatible AC from small wind turbines.
These types of close collaboration are necessary to produce the technically competent ‘mass market’ microgeneration products that will make wind energy an increasingly sensible and economic choice for the future.
Progress on the regulatory front has been slow, but draft proposals on planning revision and British Standards have been published.
Hopefully, by Summer 2008, planning permission for the installation of domestic wind turbines will no longer be required. Also, with standards and an accreditation process in place, compliant micro wind systems can be purchased with confidence.

Customer news

We have received lots of great pictures of customer installations over the last few months, and also a few kind words about our products. Here is a selection.

“Thought I’d drop you a line just to say how happy I am with my Duogen installed on my new boat Nightsong in June. In wind mode it charges the batteries without shore power during the week, in water mode with plenty of wind and therefore boat speed it charges at a substantial rate almost enough to keep fridge, freezer, autohelm and instruments going without substantial battery discharge. Well done on an excellently engineered product!” – comments from AB.

JP e-mailed these remarks about his original model DuoGen: “It's now four years old and I've just replaced 6 bearings and it's running as smoooothly as it did when I first bought it. That's definitely one up for British engineering and ingenuity.

As an aside, there is no service agent in South Africa and I was able to take it to a powertool service centre and they were able to change the six bearings with their standard stock for less than £30 including labour. I am even more impressed that I was not restricted to using DuoGen's original parts.

Usual disclaimer of not being connected; just a very satisfied customer.”

“The DuoGen - This piece of equipment has allowed us to keep the batteries topped up full nearly the whole way across. (I only say nearly as my ships computer eats AMPs and if it's on too long you need to start the engine otherwise the inverter gets upset). For long journeys with the DuoGen in water mode it's great!” – from CF on completing Atlantic crossing.

The Collins Stewart London Boat Show 2008

The 54th London Boat Show takes place at ExCel from 11th to 20th January 2008.
The organisers are aiming for increased entertainment and attraction elements to make this the best show yet!
There will be a multi-purpose Main Stage with a continuous all-day schedule of entertainment, fashion shows, appearances by boating celebrities, seminars etc.
If you are thinking of taking up boating at any level, the BMF, supported by National Boat Shows and ‘All at Sea’, have set up a Start Boating area, aimed at giving advice and information to get you going.
You can visit the Watersport Zone, a new area where all the watersports exhibitors are gathered together around a focal point, a specially created simulator where you can watch demos or even have a go.
There is the return of features which proved really popular last year, including Anchor Watch, Deck Games and Classic Boats – the latter is supported by the Cutty Sark Restoration project.
The Show marina, in the Royal Victoria Dock, is full of interesting craft as ever, and exhibits include the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Exeter.
There are over 500 exhibits of course, including Eclectic Energy’s DuoGen stand, in a new position this year. You can find us easily in the west end of the South Hall, on a corner stand S011A. We look forward to meeting you and showing you our great products, and as ever, it will be good to see existing customers.

International Boat Shows

You may have seen the D400 on show at Hanseboot in Germany last month, and the D400 and the DuoGen created a lot of interest at the recent Paris Boat Show, featured on the stand of our French distributor ATMB Marine.
If you can’t get to the London Show, you can see the D400 and DuoGen on the ShipShop stand at the Dusseldorf Boat Show later in January.