Wind Energy: Technologies, Siting

Considerations and Incentives

Nils Bolgen

Renewable Energy at Closed LandfillsEBC / MassDEP / DOER

July 26, 2012

Overview

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Wind Energy Basics Wind turbines Wind resource

Siting The process What to consider

Markets and Incentives Selling Power State and Federal Incentives MassCEC Commonwealth Wind Program

Sample Mass. Projects

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WIND ENERGY BASICS

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Wind Turbine Components

• The turbine rotor always faces into the wind (by “yawing”)

• In some turbines, blade “pitch” can be varied

• Generator and gearbox, etc. are housed in the “nacelle”

Blade Tip

Height

Wind Turbine Power Curve

6http://www.vestas.com/en/wind-power-solutions/wind-turbines/3.0-mw.aspx

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SITING WIND TURBINES

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Development Process

1 to 2 months 12 to 15 months 6 to 12 months 20+ years6 to 12 months 3 to 6 months

25 months to 41 months

Notes: 1) Assumes no major issues associated with permit challenges in court 2) Steps and duration vary according to project size

Public Engagement Re: Siting

Ongoing Public Engagement Re:Operations, Benefits, Impacts

Increasing refinement of number, size and location of turbines

Siting Considerations

Developer or Project Sponsor

Is there good wind?Am I close enough to the grid?How many turbines can I squeeze into this space?What are the geotechnical conditions?Is the transportation route clear?

Community and Neighbors

Will I see it?Will I hear it?What about shadow flicker?Will falling ice hurt someone?Are there other health impacts?Will the value of my property decline?What if it falls over or catches fire?

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Siting Considerations - 2

Interest Groups

How will it affect wildlife? How will it affect electric grid stability? How will it affect tourism, recreation, hunting? How will it affect archaeological or cultural resources? Will it be visible from a historic district?

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Parameter Typical Values Preferences or Constraints

Rotor overhang zone Rotor radius No regular activity in this area

Safety (aka “fall”) zone 1 – 1.1 x MTH Allow regular activity in this area?

Distance from property line 1 – 1.5 x MTH Ice throw; neighborliness

Distance to residence or other sensitive receptor > 2 x MTH

At <3 x MTH perform detailed acoustic analysesAlso do shadow flicker analysis

Airspace obstruction < 200 feet a.g.l. generally ok

No “operational impact” on aircraftNo interference with airport radar

Distance to grid Cost for upgrades

Access roads and terrain Cost of access roads or upgrades

Wind resource > 6.5 m/s annual average

Note that energy is proportional to cube of wind speed

Sample Siting Parameters and Preferences

Key Characteristics of Success

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Appropriate siting Wind Space / impacts Wildlife

Early and ongoing public engagement Rigorous analysis Flexible developer and stakeholders Local champion and local benefits

MARKETS, INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS

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Markets and Incentives Markets

Net Metering Wholesale Power Renewable Portfolio Standard

Other Mass. incentives Qualified Energy Conservation Bonds Green Communities Program Loan Program – state revolving fund for water-related infrastructure

Federal Production tax credit (PTC)

− Investment tax credit option− Cash grant option

Accelerated Depreciation USDA Grant and Loan Programs

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Commonwealth Wind Program Structure

LegendCmty. & Cmrcl.Community OnlyCommercial OnlySmall Only

Construction Rebates

Construction Rebates

Site Assessment

Services

Site Assessment

Services

Design & Construction

Grant

Design & Construction

Grant

Business Planning

Grant

Business Planning

Grant

Development Grants and

Loans

Development Grants and

Loans

100+ kW

< 100 kW

Wind Monitoring, Feasibility & Acoustic Study

Grants

Wind Monitoring, Feasibility & Acoustic Study

Grants

Education and Facilitation Services

Recent Program Refinements

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1. Require stakeholder engagement and public education at all development stages Support use of facilitation services Support or provide “wind energy 101 and 201” sessions Undertake comprehensive energy planning exercises in

communities/regions2. Providing additional funding for pre-construction acoustic studies4. Provide information resources at MassCEC.com

Environmental benefits, Property values, Acoustics Health, Grid integration, Others . . .

5. Program Goal: support well-sited projects with good prospects for obtaining local approvals Employ rigorous analysis and conservative assumptions Employ solid public engagement and education processes

Supporting Activities

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1. Pre-construction acoustic study methodology – done2. Property value study with regional focus – in process

MA focused/Smaller projects Residential transactions at multiple distances and periods

3. Falmouth Wind Turbine Options Process – in process Facilitation and technical support in response to request from Town

4. Kingston acoustic monitoring – coming soon5. Research Study on Wind Turbine Acoustics – coming soon

Collaboration between MassDEP and MassCEC Objectives

− Measure the level and quality of sound emissions from a variety of operating wind projects in Massachusetts

− Seek to understand and quantify the influence of variables including turbine type and size, wind conditions, topography and distance

This is a research study, not a compliance test

Thank You . . .

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MassCEC Commonwealth Wind Team

Nils Bolgen NBolgen@masscec.com 617-315-9311Peter McPhee PMcPhee@masscec.com 617-315-9343Leigh Cameron LCameron@masscec.com 617-315-9315Tyler Studds TStudds@masscec.com 617-315-

9378Seth Federspiel SFederspiel@masscec.com

www.masscec.com