The first wind turbine on Phillip Island was erected by Ruth Partridge on her farming property on the island’s south coast 11 years ago.
Before its installation, Ruth had investigated the efficiency of wind turbines, and had high hopes of generating a new and efficient source of natural green power for her home.
The 10.5 metre turbine was sited in a prime position in a paddock to make full use of the island’s constant and powerful winds that blow all year round.
However, the turbine’s promised benefits have not materialised.
“I was told during my research that the turbine would generate sufficient energy to ensure that I would not have a power bill, and the power company would be paying me,” Ruth said last week.
“But that has not been the case. It is not very effective as a power source. It is not efficient. I make about $4 per bill from my power company. The turbine probably runs my freezer. Very little else. It is very inefficient compared to what it cost to install it.”
Ruth does not believe her wind turbine would be suitable for domestic installation in a built-up area. She said it is loud, and it is constant. The noise continues all day and all night.
It is sited in a paddock away from her double-glazed home, behind pine trees, and the noise does not disturb her.
“But if you stand near it, it is quite loud. In my opinion, it is not suited to built-up areas.”
Ruth’s turbine has not been without problems.
Walking up from the beach one morning, she and husband Steve realised the turbine had no blades. A search of the area found them in a paddock about 100 metres away, where they had landed after being blown off the pole.
“It was a Chinese made turbine, and did not have any sliprings in it, we discovered,” said Ruth.
“The power cord was twisted at every 360-degree rotation, and it eventually snapped. That meant the control box could not send the turbine a message to slow down. I have no idea what speed it would have been going at when the blades were finally sent flying.
“It was night-time when this happened. In a residential area, this would have been a disaster.”
The turbine was covered by insurance, and a new one was erected, this time by a different company. But the energy output has not improved.
It has been going for the last nine years.
“I would never recommend anyone to install one, unless the technology has significantly improved,” Ruth says.
“And certainly not in a built-up area. As far as I’m concerned, it has not been worth the investment made, and it has not lived up to the expectations created by its marketers.”
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