TEIGNBRIDGE has been chosen by British Gas as the only area in England to trial domestic wind turbines, a new source of renewable energy. Six dwellings – three private houses and three housing association properties – have been chosen to have wind turbines fitted if permission is granted. The properties are in Abbotskerswell, Exminster, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth. Teignbridge was chosen by British Gas for the trials as it is geographically distant from Scotland, where trials are also taking place. The cost of the trials, which will last a year, will be met in full by British Gas – there is no charge to the council or the council tax payer. 'The approach to us came from British Gas at an energy seminar,' said a Teignbridge Council spokesman. 'The matter was considered, and, as there were no cost implications nor any changes in policy, it was agreed. Homes were randomly selected from generated lists and the occupiers approached.' Arthur Black and his wife Valentine, of Priory Road, Abbotskerswell, are among those selected. 'I think we've been picked because we're in a raised locality,' said Mrs Black. 'The house is called The Beacon,' added Mr Black. The turbine will be fitted to the end wall of the Blacks house. 'It will be painted cream, and will appear to be above the skyline,' said Mr Black: 'I don't think it will be noticeable, it should blend in with the sky.' If Mr and Mrs Black change their minds during the trial year, British Gas has agreed to remove the turbine. 'I think it's the way for the future,' said Mr Black. 'It saves energy, prevents damage to the ozone layer and is as free as the wind.' Cllr Gordon Hook is also taking part in the trial. The environment spokesman for Teignbridge council, he, like the others, has applied for planning permission to have a turbine fitted to his house in Forde Place. 'Society should move towards renewable energy,' he said. 'Fuel sources are running out. Climate change is the biggest single issue facing mankind. Greenhouse gases are produced by burning fossil fuels – we must look for other sources of fuel. 'I believe the natural, rather than the nuclear, is the right way forward, and I'm prepared to act on that belief. Subject to planning permission I shall have a wind turbine fitted to my house. I see this as an exciting threshold to major advances in renewable power,' said Cllr Hook. The wind turbines are the brainchild of Windsave, a Scottish company, which has signed a deal with British Gas to install and supply the mini-turbines. These have a three bladed fan 1.75m (5ft 8ins) in diameter and a furling tail fin, and are fitted to the outside wall or roof of a building by means of a pole. These domestic turbines can harness enough power to run a TV and DVD player, a computer, fridge freezer and several lights - producing 1kw of electricity to supplement the existing electricity supply. The Teignbridge British Gas trial is the first time a major supplier has tested domestic wind turbines. Dr Diana Montgomery, the head of environment strategy at British Gas, said: 'Having a roof-top turbine means householders can save money and help do their bit for the environment.' Initial estimates are that electricity bills will be cut by a third by the use of a turbine. Inventor David Gordon, of Windsave, said: 'There are 23 million households in the country. If 10 per cent took this up, they would save a million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year'. The Windsave turbine works by a unique 'Plug'n'Save' system. A cable leads from the turbine to a small control box inside the house, where the rough electricity created by the turbine is converted to 240v mains frequency for domestic use. This is supplied by literally plugging it in to the normal electricity supply with an ordinary 13amp plug. The turbine will generate electricity even with a low windspeed of three or four metres per second - a gentle breeze on the Beaufort scale. 'These are consumer trials,' said a spokesman for British Gas: 'We want to see how people feel about the turbines. Do they like them? Are the savings worthwhile? Do the neighbours object? Are they noisy?' The turbines are reportedly quiet, their decibels equalling the level of the human voice, at 33 decibels in a 12 mph wind. Other concerns include the turbines' danger to birds and protected species such as bats, and the safety of propeller systems in a built-up area.
