Coastal Wind Energy StudyIn summer 2008, the North Carolina General Assembly directed the UNC Board of Governors to study wind energy feasibility

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill designated to conduct the study (led by C. Elfland, AVC for Campus Services; project manager D. McCarthy, UNC Energy Services)

Study area Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds Off shore over waters less than 30 meters in depth

Study scope Potential for energy production Benefits from reducing dependence on fossil fuel for electricity generation Siting Ecological impacts Statutory or regulatory barriers Feasibility and synergistic benefits of co-siting wind turbines and artificial oyster reefs

Report due date - July 1, 2009

Coastal Wind Energy StudyStudy Components

Wind resource evaluation, including energy potential Siting, including geology Turbine alternatives, including foundation systems Potential synergies of co-location with artificial oyster/fish reef sanctuaries

including foundation compatibility Coastal environmental issues Coastal area statutory and regulatory issues and barriers Utility transmission infrastructure including collection, sound-to-shore, and

interconnections Utility statutory and regulatory issues and barriers, including federal, regional, and

state Economic feasibility

Coastal Wind Energy StudyPhase 1 Tasks

Evaluate existing wind resource models Migratory bird pathways, waterbird foraging areas, endangered species habitat Coastal statutory and regulatory issues Utility statutory and regulatory issues Utility transmission and interconnection capacity Sound bottom geology structural adequacy evaluation Preliminary assessment of compatibility of turbine foundation systems and artificial

marine habit. Carbon reduction potential Preliminary economic evaluation

Wind Resource EvaluationLed by H. Seim (Marine Sciences, UNC-CH) and G. Lackmann

(RENCI/NCSU)Will evaluate existing wind power estimates from AWS

Truewinds by analyzing available 10 meter wind observations from eastern NC

Requires extrapolation of 10 m winds to turbine height – will examine several possible methods, and collect new observations

Will initiate archive and evaluation of regional wind models being run by NC Climatology Office and RENCI

[m/s]

At measurement height (most at 10 m, someoffshore at 5 m, one at 44m)

No adjustment to turbineheight

>400=excellent>300=superior>250=v. good>200=good>150=fair<100=poor

W/m2

*

* - collection height=44 m

Preliminary, from IE/UNC-CH Capstone course final report, fall 2008

Wind Power Evaluation (cont.)Vertical extrapolation – tricky – must account for varying

roughness of lower boundary (straightforward) and horizontal variations (internal boundary layers - more difficult)

For NC, changes in water temperature between the sounds and ocean can lead to important changes in wind speed that may not be accounted for in existing wind power estimates

Examining existing vertical wind profile observations to assess extrapolation techniques

Migratory Birds, Waterbird Foraging Areas and Endangered Species Habitats

Led by P Peterson (Institute of Marine Sciences, UNC-CH)Assembling existing information, including interviews with local

expertsWill be used to define possible exclusion areasAvoiding/reducing conflict with others

Airspace (military, training, FAA), navigation corridors, heavily fished areas, recreational areas, visual impact areas

Environmental impacts, in the Sounds and offshoreWill consider species of concern, marine mammals, butterflies, birds,

bats and soft-sediment benthosMitigation methods

Noise, lighting, perches, AEC disturbances

Coastal statutory and regulatory issues

Led by J. Kalo (Law School, UNC-CH) and L. Schiavinato (NC Sea Grant , NCSU)

Working with law fellows to outline federal framework, including recent proposals by MMS

Reviewing existing state laws and regulations and considering need for new or revised laws and regulationsReviewing the roles of the Coastal Resources,

Environmental Management and Utilities Commissions in permitting and the need for a consolidated permitting process

Utility Statutory and Regulatory Issues

Led by K. Higgins (Energy Strategies, Inc.)Will identify utility statutory and regulatory barriers to

construction of wind farms and the sale of wind energyExamine ways to address the barriers

Utility Transmission and Interconnection Capacity

Led by K. Higgins (Energy Strategies, Inc.)Assess capacity of existing transmission facilities adjacent

to the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds and offshore to carry additional load

Status: Some challenges in getting access to transmission maps (security issues), being worked through

Sound Bottom Geology Structural adequacy

Led by Jerry Schuett (AEI Engineering)Identify turbine foundation system alternatives to a

depth of 30 metersWill assume monopole foundation for artificial reef

compatibility studies

Assess compatibility of turbine foundation systems and artificial marine habitat

Led by P. Peterson (Inst. For Marine Sciences, UNC-CH)Assess the compatibility of turbine foundations with

artificial oyster/fish reefs and identify conflicts to co-location

Carbon Reduction PotentialLed by D. Arneman (Energy Services, UNC-CH)Estimate carbon reduction from utilization of wind power

versus fossil fuel power Will require some assumptions about wind farm size,

location, lifetime, etc

Preliminary Economic AnalysisLed by Nick Travis (Energy Strategies, Inc)Preliminary economic feasibility analysis sufficient to

make go/no-go decision for next phase