REMOTE POWER

Historically, until the advent of electricity, all power systems were decentralised, ie power was produced at the location where it was required. In the case of wind power, milling, pumping, and irrigation were popular applications. However, electricity brought about the development of grid networks with centralised generating capacity, and the demise of many decentralised power systems.

Today, we tend to forget that there are still many locations in the world which do not have an electrical connection to a central utility network. Furthermore, in many places, due to remoteness and cost, it is unlikely that a main grid connection will ever be established. However the need for power still exists. Power systems which can generate and supply electricity to such remote locations are variously termed ‘remote, decentralised, autonomous, or stand-alone’. The purpose of this book is to show that in many locations wind power can usefully be incorporated into, or form the basis of, such systems.

Broadly speaking, there are three types of application for remote electrical power, these being:

• Power for specialised applications in remote areas, eg, communications, irrigation.

• Power to remote communities in industrialised countries, and on islands.

• Community power generation in developing countries.