A Royal Navy base in Liverpool, HMS Eaglet, installs Europe’s first Hover Wind-Powered Microgrid that will reduce its dependency on the main power grid by 63%. Tony McDonough reports

Royal Navy Liverpool base HMS Eaglet has installed a 100,000 Kwh wind turbine that will reduce its dependency on the main electricity grid by 63%.

Located on Liverpool waterfront, close to the city centre, HMS Eaglet is home to the Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines Reserve Merseyside, Naval Regional Command Northern England and the Sea Cadet Corps. It also serves as a Navy careers office.

Now it is the first building in Europe to see the installation of the Hover Wind-Powered Microgrid. This is a roof-mounted wind turbine that generates up to 100,000 kWh of electricity each year.

Hover’s Integrated Energy Management System (IEMS) combines with the turbine to manage and regulate power from a variety of renewables and grid sources simultaneously.

The Hover Unit, complete with Naval branding, has been craned into position onto the roof of HMS Eaglet.

Colonel Mark Underhill, chief executive of NW RFCA, said: “The Hover Energy wind turbine at HMS Eaglet in Liverpool is incredibly important and extremely exciting. It represents a quantum leap in our green energy revolution as we look to build on our past successes.

“The North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association has already pioneered solar power in the Ministry of Defence with our 1 megawatt solar farm at Altcar Training Camp generating renewable energy since 2015.

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“This project in Liverpool brings together multiple technologies and we forecast a reduction of 63% in our electricity consumption. With solar panels and battery storage we will take the site completely off grid.

“These efficiencies will save a huge amount of taxpayers money and provide energy security at this major MOD site which plays an important role in working with civil authorities and emergency services.”

Mounted along the windward edges of building rooftops, the wind turbine arrays generate power 24 hours a day, often producing a multiple of the power per square foot than solar. The Hover microgrid combines wind, solar and storage.

Ian MacVicar, managing director of Task Contract Solutions, added: “We are extremely proud of our track record of introducing and pioneering solutions to make a real difference across the military estate in the North West of England.

“To be able to install the UK and Europe’s first Hover Wind-Powered Microgrid in Liverpool is a fantastic achievement.”