Friday 12 October 2007

Saving money is a breeze

South Coast Register
Wednesday 3/10/2007 Page: 8

THE unusual piece of metal you will soon see on the roof of the Shoalhaven Arts Centre isn't the latest piece of contemporary art - but it will be worthy of inspection. Shoalhaven City Council has thrown its support behind the trial of domestic wind turbines in various locations throughout the region. Eight sites have been chosen to trial the turbines, each expected to generate around 7.5kW to 9kW per day, or about 50 per cent of the average daily household consumption. Each generator will reduce council's carbon dioxide emissions by three tonnes per year.

The approach to council for the trial came from Bomaderry company Private Parts Pty Ltd. Last week, council decided to proceed with the trial in eight varying locations. At Shoalhaven Heads turbines will be set at the tourist park and swimming pool. Locations in the Nowra- Bomaderry area include the Bomaderry Aquatic Centre, arts centre, tourist centre, Shoalhaven Water depot at South Nowra, the sewage treatment plant and West Nowra Waste Depot. The eight sites offer diversity in locality, wind exposure and visibility.

Council, which will retain ownership of the generators, will contribute $42,210 to the trial, with Private Parts Engineering contributing another $26,320. The unit has a 1.2m turbine fan and is approx 1.5m in length including the trim tail. The unit has been under development trial, without load, in Bomaderry since mid-July. Private Parts intends to manufacture these units in the Shoalhaven.

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