Alternative Technology Association
247 Flinders Lane
Melbourne 3000
18 July 1995

Mr Craig Hobbs
Distribution Manager
PowerCor Ltd
PO Box 185 Geelong 3220

Dear Craig,
		I rang Geoff Church yesterday (Monday) about the 
meters at the Breamlea Wind Generator. Initially I had some 
doubts about the calibration of the export kWh meter, but as our 
data logger is currently taking power export from a small 
analogue device in the base of the tower, we really don't know 
which is right: the voltage output of our "meter" drifts by up to 10 
mV (representing 10 kW!!) depending on ambient temperature . 
However, overall the export as recorded by the main (rotating 
disc) meter is quite modest this month despite the fact we have 
been on-line almost continuously and the winds, according to our 
anemometer have been close to the long term average of 6 metres 
per second.

Another  relevant observation is that the import meter has 
essentially not moved since we bought the machine last year, 
despite the fact that we draw about 100 watts continuously 
whenever the wind is not blowing. I strongly suspect that there is 
insufficient starting current to move it unless the generator is 
motoring in light winds.

We are very keen to research the relationship between our export 
profile (over time) and the variations in system marginal price. 
Accurate half hourly kWh readings are essential for this. We 
would be very grateful under the circumstances if you could 
authorise the re-connection of the pulsed outputs from the import 
and export meters to the relays, and check the accuracy of both 
meters at the same time. We will then be able to interface the 
relays to our data logger and measure power half hourly. 

If any department within PowerCor is interested in sharing the 
results of our research we will be happy to provide the raw data 
and any resulting analyses done by us.

We do have a circuit diagram of the metering and I am available 
most Tuesdays and Thursdays until 2pm to attend the meter hut 
with your technical staff. We have qualified electricians in our 
group who can carry out work if your staff leave instructions with 
me. I am contactable on (03) 9376 7515 by voice, and can also 
accept faxes if you ring first and give me 5 minutes warning to set 
up the fax-modem in the computer. I look forward to hearing 
from you soon.

Yours sincerely,         Michael Gunter