Harness the wind

In 2003, a local company, Windflow Technology Ltd, installed a prototype 500 kilowatt wind turbine at Gebbies Pass. The Christchurch City Council agreed to purchase all the electricity generated by the turbine, which is almost sufficient to power the Council offices in Hereford Street, approximately one million kilowatt hours a year.

The turbine, developed by a local engineer and businessman Geoff Henderson of Windflow Technology Ltd, has several features that make it more efficient than other designs and less susceptible to wear and tear.

Most wind turbines have to stop when wind speed becomes too fast or gusty as the generator cannot keep up with the speed of the blades. The Windflow 500, as pictured here, uses patented technology called the Torque Limiting Gearbox that allows the generator to remain in operation at higher wind speeds and thus generating power for longer periods.

A further interesting development, unique to this design, is the use of two rather than three blades. The design means that the weight of the blades on the tower is halved, reducing installation and maintenance costs and increasing reliability.

Windflow Technology Ltd based in Christchurch is the only New Zealand company that develops and installs this technology. Involvement in this project tied in well with Council initiatives to support local business and job creation.

Windflow Technologyhas complted the installion of 97 wind turbines near Palmerston North and is actively marketing their product in Scotland.

The benefits

The benefits of the City Council supporting the project include:

• Using a renewable energy source means no carbon dioxide emissions.
• Support of local business.
• Job creation in the Christchurch area.
• Support of innovation suited to local wind conditions
• The land is still available to farming, particularly livestock, as the turbines take up little space.
• The technology is clean and eco-friendly.