ZOO ADDS WIND

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm Has Its First Wind Turbine
Samantha Cordrey, March 2009 (Bristol Zoo and Aquarium News)

"The first of three planned wind turbines at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm is to go up… 20th March…It is hoped that the 15 KW wind turbine, which will measure 15 meters high with 9 meter long blades, will initially meet a third of the entire zoo’s electricity consumption. The electricity will then either be used on site, or sold and exported to the national grid if surplus to requirements.

"This first Turbine…is part of the Zoo’s efforts to provide a prototype to the greater Bristol area and to help in taking positive action to tackle climate change…[T]he Wind Turbine allows the zoo to cut their carbon emissions…lower their overall carbon footprint…[and] heighten educational awareness of green energy and sustainable development amongst the expected 150,000+ visitors this year…"

The zoo trubine. (click to enlarge)

"A special feature of the turbine is that in high winds the patented flexible blades twist to control their own speed, therefore preventing the need for the turbine to cut out in extreme weather conditions.

"…Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm hopes to encourage people to take more care of the planet.
If the first Turbine proves successful, a further two are planned. The zoo ultimately aims to generate as much renewable energy as it uses…

"Notes: 1. Wind power is a clean, renewable source of energy and just one modern wind turbine will save over 5,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually…2. A modern wind turbine produces electricity 70-85% of the time…3. Modern wind turbines are remarkably quiet…Mechanical noise from turbines is now considered to be almost undetectable. The main sound is the swoosh of the blades turning…"