Renewable energy comes to Myocum

Northern Star
Wednesday 15/11/2006 Page: 7

12-month trial period first hurdle to overcome for wind-powered turbine.

WHILE the Federal Government considers alternative energy, Myocum's Danielle Leonard is making it happen. As managing director of the ReGenesis Farm, she has organised the erection of a $140,000, 20kw wind turbine to power irrigation pumps and run the cool room.

In terms we all understand, the windmill can provide enough electricity to power four family homes. As one of only three of these Westwind-manufactured turbines installed in NSW, it has attracted some interest. As a result, it will be officially commissioned by Byron Shire Council mayor Jan Barham at 3pm today.

According to Ms Leonard, the five-year-old farm - owned by art investor and environmentalist Elaine Seiler - is creating a model for sustainable agriculture.

At the moment it turns over $6000 worth of market garden produce each week, supplying organic herbs and vegetables to local restaurants and wholesalers. To help `close the loop' the farm employs people to cart green waste back to the farm in its biodiesel-powered truck to make compost, which in turn enriches the soil.

The turbine will help make the farm even more ecologically viable, saving the atmosphere 1000 tonnes of greenhouse gases in its lifetime. But environmentally friendly is not necessarily neighbour friendly.

Plans to erect the wind turbine met with a community concerned about noise, looks and its impact on birdlife. As a result, the turbine has approval for a 12-month trial, during which time impacts will be measured.

Ms Leonard says the turbine sounds about as loud as a household fan.


ALTERNATIVE energy from wind and solar needs to be coupled with efficient home design. According to Peter 'Peddles' van der Wyk, of Rainbow Power at Nimbin, a single air-conditioner may use much more than can be produced by small-scale solar, wind or hydro power.