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Final report, thoughts and experiences from the WICO project
The purpose of WICO project was to pave the way for the deployment of small wind systems along the coast, in order to take advantage of marine breezes to develop renewable energy.
The main challenges were to identify the existing barriers and find possible solutions to overcome them.
During the fact finding, analysis and exchange of best practices phase of the project, the partners identified the main barriers in terms of policies, procedures, market and technologies.
With regard to policies, the main problems relate to the very heterogeneous legislative framework and complicated procedures required to obtain authorisation to install small wind systems.
In the area of market and technologies, a lack of information on the demand side was identified especially with regard to the potential of small wind systems, the best places to install, and the companies producing the hardware. Feed in tariffs and grid connections were also seen to have a big impact on the development of this market too.
On the other side, small wind turbine manufacturers are working hard to improve the technology and many different products are already available in the market today.
Careful analysis and assessment of wind resources was found to be essential and during the project, the Province of Ravenna installed three anemometers along the coast, which provided useful data, but it was recognised that greater coverage would be necessary to give a clearer picture of the wind resource situation.
As a result of the WICO project , the partners have all initiated discussions at local levels with the relevant bodies in order to simplify procedures for the installation of small wind turbines along the coast. In addition dialogue has begun to steer policies at local and regional level.
It has been found, for example in the Province of Ravenna, that some simplification in the planning procedures of the Municipality of Ravenna, would benefit the installation of wind devices for the production of renewable energy. The Province of Ravenaa also introduced specific measures and targets in the Provincial Energy Plan, in favour of small wind systems (full document available to view at http://www.provincia.ra.it/Argomenti/Ambiente/Energia-ed-elettromagnetismo/Il-Piano-Energetico-Provinciale
In a similar way, the Diputacion of Huleva is continuing to work with the local Municipalities and National Association of Renewable Energies Producers to draft a bylaw for the simplification of procedures for the installation of small wind systems. In addition, as a result of information shared from Marine South East about the UK feed-in tariffs, the Diputacion of Huelva was able to send recommendations to the Spanish Energy Ministry to favour the deployment of small wind systems along the coasts.
Nevertheless, this is just the start and a lot of work still needs to be done in terms of simplification and regulations. The publication of the WICO Guide Lines, jointly agreed by the partners, represents a concrete and valid tool enabling authorities to keep influencing relevant policies after the end of the project. In addition the Guide Lines offer a tool for organisations wishing to explore the opportunities offered by small wind systems.
Local stakeholders in the participating regions showed great interest in the WICO project and its findings, especially tourism companies located along the coast which would like to manage their businesses in a more sustainable way, as well as being able to "communicate" their commitment more effectively towards a low carbon economy.
In all the partners' areas private and public bodies willingly agreed to participate in the project, sometimes offering structures to test small wind turbines, and both in Italy and Spain some devices will very soon be installed (on the roofs of hotels, public buildings, etc.).
The project attracted a lot of interest both from wind turbine manufacturers as well as potential customers and installers. Many manufacturers contacted the Province of Ravenna willing to participate and contribute to the project, as well as private persons and businesses contacting the energy office to ask for more information on small wind turbines.
This is the evidence that enables us to conclude that WICO was a well founded project whose influence and achievements will go on well beyond the project end and hopefully will bring about a change in policies, procedures and market adoption of small wind systems.
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