Author’s note: this post collates background information from as early as 1988 and an eclectic selection of articles I wrote for the Rainbow Bridge, our weekly community newsletter, between 1990 and 2002. I have added a few of my favourite photos of Moya. It gives a glimpse of the tremendous achievements as well as the trials and tribulations of the Findhorn Wind Park in the early days.
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Wind Energy for the Findhorn Community Eco-Village (1988)
Background
The Findhorn Community is founded on the basic belief in the underlying spirit and intelligence with Nature and all forms of life on our planet. For nearly thirty years we have lived on land in the Findhorn Bay Caravan Park, seeking to work consciously and openly with nature in the spirit of cooperation and co-creation. In 1984, after a successful world-wide appeal, we were able to purchase the land, and the possibility of transforming The Park into a place of beauty, reflecting our deeper values, became a reality.
We spent a period of time, from 1984-88, planning and preparing for the transformation of an aging caravan park into an ecological village where a truly sustainable human lifestyle could be demonstrated: combining spirituality, ecology, economics and a rich cultural and social experience. We have now begun building and have in the past two years erected some ten ecologically sound dwellings.
As part of this sustainable lifestyle, the Community is committed to the long-term use of benign and renewable energy sources and systems. To this end we have made a study of the available energy sources in the Moray Firth region. Wind, combined with passive and active solar systems in new buildings, form a viable and sound energy alternative to the highly polluting and non-renewable fossil fuel and nuclear energy options.
The Wind Park
A successful application of modern wind energy is the grid connected wind park. It consists of a number of medium sized electricity producing wind turbines connected directly to the national grid. Energy is produced at precisely the voltage and frequency needed by means of an induced magnetic field inside the generator, created by mains supply. Reliability of production is enhanced by the use of a number of small machines as opposed to one large one. Should a particular machine suffer a breakdown, energy will continue to be produced by all the others. The connection to the national grid also eliminates to some degree the need for energy storage. Previously early wind turbines needed batteries to store the energy, usually in 24V-DC systems. In this more advanced system, electricity can be sold back to the grid when not required for owner use through simple metering devices.
Wind Parks have been tested very successfully around the world but particularly in the USA and Denmark, the latter country being the world leader in wind energy technology and production. Many wind parks are now planned in the UK as part of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) programme to supply 10% of the nations’ energy from wind by the 2010.
The design envisioned for the Wind Park consists of three wind turbines, in the range of 75kW to 225kW per machine, up to a generating capacity of around 500kW. This would produce a large proportion of the energy requirements of The Park. We would be able to absorb a larger percentage of the wind energy produced as new buildings are built which could incorporate medium term energy storage capability. The storage capacity combined with a microprocessor-controlled load management system, matching energy loads with available wind energy, would enable us to reduce and eventually eliminate our use of fossil fuels. We will also generally reduce the total amount of energy we consume as we build more energy efficient buildings and systems.
We completed the first phase of the Wind Park in October 1989 with the installation of the first generator, a 75kW Vestas wind turbine. This first phase of the project included the cabling and some of the infrastructure for future capacity. To date it has performed well, and we hope to begin planning for the second machine in the near future. It stands to the east of The Park, Findhorn as a symbol of our commitment to clean energy and a sustainable future.
JT 5/88 rev. 2/99
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Please click the arrow on the left to expand the text.
Wind Park Update October 2, 1990: Can we pay off the windmill now????
Moya
After nearly a year of operation, we can now say with confidence that Moya, the windmill, is doing well. In fact, we can say that she is exceeding our expectations. After the initial bugs were worked out, we did have a few up until the end of March, she has consistently done 3-4% better than we could have expected from the wind that we’ve had.
It has also been a windy year, so we have also done better on our budget despite the teething problems. So, things are looking good for wind power on the Findhorn peninsula!
As most of you will know, we were able to erect the windmill because we raised the £72,000 mostly through donations (£17k) and zero interest loans (£25k). We did take one large loan of £30,000 at a low interest rate over 20 years to make up the difference. With this very generous financing, but assuming the worst case that electricity prices would stay the same, our expected payback was some 15 years. Partly the long period is because of all the extra infrastructure (cabling and transformers) that we needed to put in but which will also allow us to put up future windmills. But it is also true that given the prevailing economic reality, it takes a long time to pay off a windmill, and we resigned ourselves to it with the comfort of knowing we were doing the right thing.
Now a funny thing has happened. Our friend who had given us the large loan over 20 years asked whether we could repay it sooner, as their circumstances had changed (welcome to Findhorn) and they had a need for it now. In exchange for the very sudden repayment, they were also prepared to give a large donation. Alex and I, in looking at what could have been seen to be a challenging situation, did a few calculations. We discovered that if we were to raise the amount of the loan, we were repaying in zero interest loans, we would actually be able to pay off the windmill in, wait for it, FIVE YEARS!! That means free and clear, all the loans, everything.
I personally find that exciting. We know that wind energy is viable, that it works here and that windmills are beautiful. We are supplying 10% of our energy now from wind, exporting very little to the national grid (which means we are using it well). The sooner we can pay off Moya the sooner we can think about more windmills and more of our energy needs being supplied by this the cleanest of energies.
We raised the money before from amongst us, without government grants or big donations from industry. It was us, believing in it and putting our trust and faith in the alternatives, that made it a reality. I feel this is a great opportunity to come together once again and release the long payback. Given that we know that electricity costs will go up and we will therefore be saving greater amounts, the time could even be less than five years.
The figure we are looking for is £25,000, which includes some of the other short-term loans that are coming due. This may seem like a lot, but I remind you that we raised more than that in just a few weeks back in November of 88. We agreed to go ahead in faith and pay back the loan by mid-November. It is a big leap, but again we know we are doing the right thing.
If you can help, please contact Alex or myself as soon as possible.
Blessings, John Talbott
January 31, 1993: Moya Report for 1992/3
Moya from Bichans’
Just thought you would all like to know that Moya, our windmill, had her best month ever in January with all these high winds, over 21,000 units produced or 28% of our needs.
She also had an extremely brilliant year producing 140,000 units or 12% better than budget and 40% more than last year!
For your information also we were able to pay off a considerable amount of the interest loans still outstanding. Of the £60,000+ in loans that we began with there is just over £20,000 left to pay her off. With some more good wind that would be only another two years. Not bad at all.
I think a little appreciation is due her for a very good year. Send her your thanks sometime as you admire her constantly turning blades!
Love JT
February 4, 1993: The Wind Park: Job Opportunity!!
Windmill service
Do you fancy being in touch with the natural beauty of the Park, yet firmly grounded in the reality of the day to day existence?
Do you want to be aware of the seasonal changes and the rhythm of nature’s cycles?
Do you have 8-10 hours per month that you would like to use to improve The Park’s energy awareness??
windmill & meter box
Then this is your opportunity to become the Wind Park Meter Reader!!!
Otherwise known as Rita Meter or the Park Meter Maid. You do not need to be a woman. However, you may be required to wear a dress occasionally while reading meters, if this is thought to be beneficial by the residents.
The Wind Park for those of you who may not know, is responsible for the electricity supply and distribution in the Park, including the windmill, which we hope at some time will become windmills, or windmill park and thus the Wind Park.
We are looking for either a Foundation or Community member or Associate to take on the job of electricity meter reading and invoicing each month. It involves a leisurely stroll around the park to the 100 meters, doing a little subtraction and writing out the bills. In addition to those exciting aspects, you get to interact with the dynamic and wonderful other beings of the Wind Park Division of NFD (currently moi and Moya, the windmill). You will also help to hold the awareness for the community energy use thus helping us to live as lightly and gently as possible on the Earth.
I am currently taking applications so please leave me a note or come by and see me if you are interested. I am located in the Middle Studio (formerly Bay Area Graphics) in Pineridge. We are offering a monthly remuneration in the region of £30 per month.
Love & Light (especially), John Talbott
April 16, 1994: News from the Wind Park
As you will know, the energy bills will be going up this month with the addition of VAT at 8% on all domestic fuels, which of course includes electricity. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that your bills are helping to support the community’s 100% renewable energy source, Moya the Magnificent Windmill, which provided about 18% of our electricity last year in The Park and around 16% since she was commissioned in 1989. By the end of this financial year we will have paid off all of the £72,000 erection costs with the many donations and the earnings from the Wind Park. That is just over 5 years.
Last month, March, she set a new record of 22,469 units generated, which was over 32% of our electricity!
We will also be replacing the overhead lines in Pineridge with upgraded underground cables this year when we install the new water main.
After we upgrade the Central caravan park, probably next year, we will be seriously looking at another machine to join Moya on the horizon. Meanwhile send her your warm thoughts and appreciation for all the hard work she does, day after day, night after night.
Love from the Wind Park,
JT
June 21, 2001: Moya is sick
Moya photo John Talbott
she is having trouble with her ‘yawing’ and will need a new part from Denmark. Please send her love and healing.
This will be the longest ‘breakdown’ in her eleven and three quarter year life with us. Before that we had only lost 3 days of generating time. She is indeed a wonderful machine fully embodying the concept of ‘service’.
love, JT for Moya and Wind Park
August 20, 2002: Notice of Electricity Price Reduction!!!
Moya 2001
After a substantial delay, Scottish & Southern Energy, our local supplier (they bought the old Hydro-Electric Plc) has installed our new meters which allow us to receive a lower tariff. The Wind Park is now pleased to be able to offer this reduction onto all customers in The Park.
The new standard tariff is 7.2 p/unit.
This represents a 9% reduction from the current rate of 7.9 p/unit. There will also be a similar reduction for those on the Day/Night rate.
We’re sorry it has taken so long as we originally thought the reduced price would be available in early May, as was mentioned in some of the meetings in the spring. We are anticipating being able to make a further reduction when the new windmill goes up next year. After the new meters have been in operation for 12 months, we will also be in a position to shop around for better suppliers and greener electricity suppliers.
Thank you for your patience and we look forward to cleaner, greener and windier days.
John T, for the Wind Park
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Notice of Power Cut in The Park
Due to work on mains overhead cables the electricity will be switched off
Tuesday 20th August
1. Pineridge between 7:00am & 7:30am:
2. Central Area between 11:00am and 12:00pm (noon):
Central Area is from the top of the runway down to the bottom of the Holiday Field (including CC, Phoenix, Bakery, Medway, Bookings and Living Machine).
(not including Findhorn Press, Posthouse, The Hall and Cafe and above. The Field of Dreams is unaffected as well)
Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
John T & Alain B, for the Wind Park.
Came to Findhorn for the full curriculum and found my life’s work on developing sustainable regenerative human settlements through the ecovillage movement. Lived in Findhorn for more than 26 years.
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