Turbine creates a warm front (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Turbine creates a warm front

8:00am Thursday 16th November 2006

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A CARING husband has taken an unusual step to look after his wife who suffers from multiple sclerosis - installing a wind turbine at the couple's home.

Derek Matthews, of Bourneheath, installed the turbine on a six-metre pole in his back garden to keep his wife, Anne, warm at all times, particularly during periods of mains electricity failure.

"My wife will always enjoy a pain reduced sleep in a warm bed and house, and it is impossible to put a price on that."

Turbine owner Derek Matthews

The one kilowatt FuturEnergy turbine is designed to overcome the drawbacks of poor response, low-power output and high cost domestic wind power systems.

Anne found out she had the debilitating illness 25 years ago and feels extreme pain during the cold weather.

She uses an electric blanket every day of the year, and the turbine, together with a compact battery bank that stores the generated electricity, ensures that power is always available to run the blanket and other essential electrical appliances.

It also considerably reduces the family's daily energy consumption.

Derek, who works as a training manager for energy management company Dalkia, said it will provide extra comfort for his wife.

"The turbine provides peace of mind that even when a power interruption occurs, my wife will always enjoy a pain reduced sleep in a warm bed and house, and it is impossible to put a price on that," he said.

Derek added that the turbine is proving a big hit with his neighbours.

"My neighbours think the wind turbine is great. One finds it immensely relaxing to watch, while a second would like to install a larger one on his own property.

"Everyone is impressed by the turbine's looks and its almost silent operation," he added.

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