The thing to remember is that a horizontal axis (HAWT) is inherently more efficienct than a vertical axis (VAWT). Put simply, this is because on the VAWT when a blade is at the back it is in the "shadow" of the blade at the front, and when the blades are at the side they are not generating any power at all. In contrast, the blades on a HAWT generate power all the time.

However, it's important to consider where you plan to mount it. If it's going to go on your roof then there's a special case - as the wind flows over the house it has a vertical component, rather than just being horizontal. In this situation a HAWT is less efficient than normal, and will experience higher stresses and therefore needs to be stronger. In contrast, the VAWT copes quite well with non-horizontal air flows.

Another important difference is that a VAWT is potentially easier to install as the weight of the generator/gearbox is at the base rather than at the top. However, this also means there is a fair amount of stress on the generator/gearbox bearings when a strong wind is trying to push the turbine sideways.

Finally, there's the obvious difference that you have to point a HAWT into the wind. The advantage for a VAWT is not just that it can be more simple, but that a HAWT can only respond so fast to changes in wind, and in a built-up area the wind is often gusty and turbulent.

Regarding the wind database you got the 4.4m/s from, don't base any important decisions on it. These databases are notoriously unreliable, especially in built-up areas. The only good solution is to put up a wind mast and data logger, ideally for a year, but any length of time is worth it. A cheap way to get one is to spend about £100-150 on a "weather station" that links to your computer. I have one at home that can store 175 samples of all data for you to download periodically. (Note that a real data logger would store thousands and only need downloading once a month or so)

According to the Times ('The Knowledge'):
2016, Saudi states that the west cannot take its oil for granted, Oil goes to $160/bbl, winter fuel costs rise by 40%, Petrol stations run dry, budget airlines collapse, shortages, hoarding, more shortages, layoffs etc.

Shame its not on at nine on Beeb 1.

Be very interesting to watch and see how much of what is related is current. Perhaps a deliberate typo!

In the 'Facts behind the fiction' page the declining discovery trend is referred to but it would be nice to see mention that this trend has been downward since 1965 rather than just going back to 2000.  You also need to 'read between the lines a bit' regarding the stated per capita oil consumption (2 bbls pa in China, 11 bbls pa in UK and 25 bbls pa in US).  What is omitted here is population stats - 1.2bn in China v c355m US/UK combined and what are the consequences of Chinese consumers aspiring to achieve western levels of energy consumption?

As mentioned elsewhere on this thread it's a pity this program has been allocated such a late night slot but at least it's a start.

In effect the relatively sudden 'bonanza' from N Sea in form of oil and gas provided a lengthy 'free lunch' thus avoiding several decades of harsh economic conditions as UK was starting to experience in 1967, just as N Sea gas production was being commissioned.  We are now moving into a period, however, when prospects are very different to 1967 in that N Sea energy production will decline irrevocably year on year.  Consumers (and UK plc as a whole) will thus be forced to make some hard choices - either they continue with the energy consumption 'party' and use an awful lot of hard currency in the process (assuming imports can be sourced) or significant demand reduction occurs.

My own view is that during the N Sea bonanza 2 generations have become accustomed to being able to heat every room in the house (including 5 bedroom McMansions), 40 mile commutes with 1 person per vehicle, 2nd homes abroad with regular visits via cheap flights, cheap food and goods due to globalisation etc.  Now we face rapidly rising energy imports (when oil is $70 rather than $3 per bbl) at a time when many other major nations are looking to also increase their energy imports.  As these import costs mount sterling will depreciate and interest rates will rise.  The combination of more expensive flights due to more expensive fuel, increased sterling cost to obtain foreign currency used at 2nd home abroad and rising interest rates at home is likely to place many who have stretched themselves financially to buy expensive property abroad (and in UK) in position that they are forced to sell into an unwilling market.  The situation will be made worse if, as doctorbob says, there is a steep recession as that, in turn, will lead to forced property sales by heavily indebted individuals who no longer have highly paid work.

I've been reading the regular advice provided by Westexas and others on our parent site and totally endorse their comments.  To me a major recession in UK within a few years looks a near certaintly thus one should get out of debt, live near your work and start to move your focus of work so that you provide goods or services which people need rather than want.  For example those employed in food or energy production or sustainable transport (public transit) are much more likely to retain their jobs rather than those who are employed at out of town leisure parks or expensive gymnasiums. In any recession the first thing consumers cut back on are discretionary items i.e. those things which are 'nice to have' but far from essential.

The reason I (and others) are so pessimistic re UK's economic prospects is due to a combination of factors but these are my 'top 3':

1. Rapidly rising costs of energy imports (inevitable due to N Sea declines).
   
2. Absence of a large manufacturing base in UK.
   
3. Level of consumer debt which has recently surpassed £1 trillion.

Assuming the producer nations required payment in something other than sterling or dollars rampant inflation would do nothing to help UK consumers fund energy - sterling would fall in line with inflation thus import costs would rise in sterling terms.

Whichever way I look at it the solution is going to have to come from the demand side of the equation.  Gov't and consumers will have to take measures to deliver big reductions in consumption over the next few years.  Currently there are precious few signs that policies will address this issue; on this basis it will be down to economic forces to make it happen.

...this energy starvation and resulting near bankruptcy for the country, seems to be based on incontrovertable evidence and appears inevitable.

Using $100/bbl (boe) for 2014 is by no means unreasonable as it's only 40% more than current price and there seem few prospects that world supply / demand squeeze will ease substantially in the next 8 years.  Resulting oil / gas import costs in 2014 will be c£4.5bn per month and, assuming 22m households, this amounts to £205 per month per household.  Given that not all of the 22m households are highly economically active let's assume that a much higher burden (say between £300 and £400 per month) will fall on the more affluent households.  I'm not an economist but the above represents a considerable burden and has to impact tax / council tax revenues, discretionary spending etc.  I also agree with Chris V's comments in an earlier post - by 2020 UK will be using less gas than currently.

Add to this the likely possibility that the pound sterling may not survive well or even at all, since sterling has been a de-facto petro-currency for the last 30 years.

Then whether pro or anti nuke, coal, renewable, tidal will not be a question. We may not have the resources to fund any `big ticket' projects.

Unless energy planning becomes the flagship, headline policy for this government or the next government (of whichever stripe); then the outlook is indeed dire, because we could be running out of time now rather than a decade or so hence.. Perhaps making the assumption that `big government' is all knowing and will make plans to avoid the worst for all of us are naïve.

They too may have realised that economic hardship is coming to the UK Real Soon Now.

I can imagine the current government failing miserably to control inflation, unemployment, strikes etc.

I can also imagine the government trying to keep the immigrant population happy i.e. peaceful  via preferential treatment.

Alternatively I can imagine various sectors of the inner city community taking the law into their own hands to seize resources or local control.

Either of the above will allow the BNP to get a lot of support. I assume that the BNP has plans to do more than hand out leaflets when this stage is reached ... they must have some "logistics" in place or planned.

If they moved fast and in a well organised manner the political landscape could change quite quickly. It's worked in other countries ....