Boro plan erection to make the club go green

[Guest smoggeordie]

PLANS to make the Riverside a state-of-the-art eco-stadium will move a step closer to reality this summer when a giant wind-measuring mast is erected over Boro's iconic home.

 

By early 2009, Boro plan to have erected a £3m wind turbine which will stand 125 metres tall from ground to tip of the blades.

 

The windmill-like machine will be capable of providing renewable energy not only to the club but to 1,000 homes too.

 

The turbine would be just the first step in Boro's plans to consider all forms of renewable energy.

 

Planning permission has already been granted and work is due to begin on the installation of a 70-metre high mast which will tower over the Riverside in the stadium car park.

 

It will allow experts to measure wind speed at various heights to calculate more accurately the amount of energy that will be generated by the wind turbine.

 

This mast will be fitted with wind-measuring equipment to constantly measure and record in a data logger over the following 12 months. Information will then be transmitted via a satellite link to a computer in the wind measurement laboratory.

 

When installed, it is estimated that the wind turbine would generate about 6.6m kilowatt hours of energy per annum, enough to cover the stadium's 1.9m kilowatt hours consumption and a surplus to provide power for 1,000 Middlesbrough homes.

 

The surplus electricity could be exported to the National Grid for sale to alternative buyers or partners.

 

The great news is that a three-megawatt turbine will also save about 5,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year.

 

The surplus energy generates revenue which may be used to cover the costs of buying, constructing operating and maintaining the wind turbine and possibly some profit for the club, which would go towards funding running costs for the stadium.

 

Terry Tasker, MFC's head of operations, says: "We are working in partnership with Renew Tees Valley to develop green energy sources for the football club with the aim of eventually moving towards self-sufficiency.

 

"We aim to be leaders in the field for professional football clubs in renewable energy. The cost of energy is going through the roof, so most organisations are trying to address the issue.

 

"Through our partnership with Renew Tees Valley, we aim to show how a stadium at the centre of a community can lead the way in energy efficiency and eco-friendly renewable energy practices.

 

"We hope to deliver the message of energy efficiency, climate change and assist in the goal of reducing CO2 emissions in Middlesbrough."

 

It is possible that other forms of renewable energy could be introduced to the Riverside once the turbine is up and running.

 

These ideas include photovoltaic solar panels on the South Stand roof, geothermal heating from underground pipes in the staff car park, biomass wood-fueled boilers and rain water harvesting from the stadium roof.

 

Paul Jackson, commerce manager for Renew Tees Valley, adds: "In the future we will be investigating the feasibility of incorporating other forms of renewable energy at the stadium.

 

"This will be seen as an ongoing exercise in creating awareness of renewable energy and the options available to the management and staff of Middlesbrough Football Club, but as importantly to the their families, fans and wider community and neighbours.

 

"The football club enjoys a high profile and status which is the perfect vehicle to get important messages to large numbers of interested individuals and organizations.

 

"MFC fully understand they have huge responsibilities in this area and are keen to share their learning to see others adopt green strategies too.

 

"This project is equally important for increasing the benefits to Middlesbrough Football Club, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions and in reducing reliance on fossil fuels by the club whilst securing crucial supplies of electricity into the future."

 

Boro supporters are among those whose views regarding the wind turbine are being sought by the team responsible for taking the wind turbine from drawing board to reality.

 

A programme of consultation with open community involvement will be undertaken prior to a full planning consent application being submitted to Middlesbrough Borough Council.

 

Although hopefully non-contentious, support and opposition to the proposal for a wind turbine from the industrial and commercial neighbours of MFC, from the community in the vicinity of the club and from other interested parties will be openly addressed.

 

Paul Jackson explains: "It makes good sense to have the support of the fans of MFC too, and they will also be kept fully informed of developments. Their views will be particularly welcomed."

 

Boro fans can give their views on the potential wind turbine by emailing [email protected] or by simply taking part in a poll on the club's official website at mfc.co.uk from 3pm on Saturday.

 

[James]

Wind turbines are likely to be quite efficient in smogland due to the density of the air.

[Dave]

Why not?

 

One thing i've always wondered when people complain about these windmills - is there a significant drop in output to have loads of smaller ones than one big fuck off one? Could cover the roof in them.

[Rich]

Good on them, I suppose. "Iconic home" (Smellnet) is a bit heady, mind.

[Rich]

Why not?

 

One thing i've always wondered when people complain about these windmills - is there a significant drop in output to have loads of smaller ones than one big fuck off one? Could cover the roof in them.

 

I think they look pretty swish, anyway. Far more interesting than that fucking grass stuff.

[Dr Spectrum]

Going to be one of these at the CoMS too. Up by the end of this year I believe. Heard very similar stories about ours - Obviously environmentally friendly, helps the local community, pays for itself in surplus...Suprised more aren't looking at it.

[Syrette]

Bet it's too much money for our Freddy.

[Guest Invicta_Toon]

be funny when they realise it only powers about 100 homes

[indi]

Why not?

 

One thing i've always wondered when people complain about these windmills - is there a significant drop in output to have loads of smaller ones than one big fuck off one? Could cover the roof in them.

 

I think they look pretty swish, anyway. Far more interesting than that fucking grass stuff.

 

The people who complain are just NIMBYs anyway, they come out with all this bollocks about wind-turbines, but basically the truth is they don't really give a shit just so long as they don't have to look at it. If people complain about having windmills, then the government should just say: alright then, we'll build a fucking huge coal fired/nuclear power station there instead, because that's the choice basically.

[Dave]

Why not?

 

One thing i've always wondered when people complain about these windmills - is there a significant drop in output to have loads of smaller ones than one big fuck off one? Could cover the roof in them.

 

I think they look pretty swish, anyway. Far more interesting than that fucking grass stuff.

 

I like 'em too.

[indi]

I think they're pretty graceful and all, no-one would object to an old fashioned Windy Miller style windmill would they, the only reason people object to them is because they're reactionary.

[Guest Invicta_Toon]

I think they're pretty graceful and all, no-one would object to an old fashioned Windy Miller style windmill would they, the only reason people object to them is because they're reactionary.

 

ever stood near one?

[Keefaz]

I think they're pretty graceful and all, no-one would object to an old fashioned Windy Miller style windmill would they, the only reason people object to them is because they're reactionary.

 

Tbh, anyone in Boro who'd object to a feckin wind turbine is probably mental.

[Guest NIToon]

I about to build a house and looking to put one on the end of the house.  Best bit 50% grant as well as less smog

[indi]

I think they're pretty graceful and all, no-one would object to an old fashioned Windy Miller style windmill would they, the only reason people object to them is because they're reactionary.

 

ever stood near one?

 

Yes.

 

Your point being they make a noise, well so does the wind if you hadn't noticed.

 

They make significantly less noise than a normal power station and all.

[Guest Invicta_Toon]

I think they're pretty graceful and all, no-one would object to an old fashioned Windy Miller style windmill would they, the only reason people object to them is because they're reactionary.

 

ever stood near one?

 

Yes.

 

Your point being they make a noise, well so does the wind if you hadn't noticed.

 

They make significantly less noise than a normal power station and all.

 

 

they also make less electricity. A lot less

[indi]

I think they're pretty graceful and all, no-one would object to an old fashioned Windy Miller style windmill would they, the only reason people object to them is because they're reactionary.

 

ever stood near one?

 

Yes.

 

Your point being they make a noise, well so does the wind if you hadn't noticed.

 

They make significantly less noise than a normal power station and all.

 

 

they also make less electricity. A lot less

 

So.....?

[Aphrodite]

Think he's suggesting putting a power station on the roof.

[Mowen]

Sure I read somewhere recently that it takes absolutely ages for a wind turbine to produce enough energy to offset that which is used to create, transport and maintain it.

[indi]

Sure I read somewhere recently that it takes absolutely ages for a wind turbine to produce enough energy to offset that which is used to create, transport and maintain it.

 

Heard the same about a nuclear plant as well. Don't know if either is true or not, but would be interested in finding out.

[Dave]

Sure I read somewhere recently that it takes absolutely ages for a wind turbine to produce enough energy to offset that which is used to create, transport and maintain it.

 

Probably so.

[indi]

Bio fuel avec scrubbers is the way of the future.

[Mowen]

Sure I read somewhere recently that it takes absolutely ages for a wind turbine to produce enough energy to offset that which is used to create, transport and maintain it.

 

Heard the same about a nuclear plant as well. Don't know if either is true or not, but would be interested in finding out.

 

Would be well worth knowing. The research must have been done somewhere.

[Guest Invicta_Toon]

Sure I read somewhere recently that it takes absolutely ages for a wind turbine to produce enough energy to offset that which is used to create, transport and maintain it.

 

I read somewhere that initial claims for their electricity production have proved to be completely innacurate. Then I thought to myself, don't be silly, who would do such a thing. I mean who could possibly gain from doing that? Crazy.

[Guest kiwi]

We have quite a few in NZ. The big farm at Otaki is at about 4000ft, 10 miles from the town and, with the wind in the right direction, residents can hear the low frequency noise of the turbines. Might be green but not friendly.

Similar farm to be built about 15 miles from us (100 towers) has so far been refused planning permission because the moving blades will frighten local horses. Between us and the farm is a very large steel mill which has just been given permission to build a new landfill, 30m high boundary hill and right over the source of bore water for the locals. Economy rules eh!