Wind Energy: Technologies, Siting

Considerations and IncentivesAndy Brydges

Sr. Director, Renewable Energy GenerationMassCEC

Duxbury Wind Advisory CommitteeMarch 12, 2013

Overview

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Wind Energy Basics Wind turbines Wind resource

Siting and Development 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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Projects (100kW+) Turbines Total Capacity

42 (in 29 towns) 78 98.9 MW

Wind Energy in MA

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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

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SITING AND DEVELOPMENT

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Siting ConsiderationsDeveloper or

Project SponsorIs there good wind?

Am I close enough to the grid?

How can I lay out turbines to maximize production on this site?

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 or ice throw?

Are there health impacts?

Will the value of my property decline?

What if it falls over or catches fire?

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Siting Considerations (cont.)

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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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 regarding siting; increasing refinement of number, size, and location of turbines

Ongoing Public Engagement Re:Operations, Benefits, Impacts

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 BTH Allow regular activity in this area?

Distance from property line 1 – 1.5 x BTH Typically local zoning covers

Distance to residence or other sensitive receptor

≥ 5 MTH preferable; Always perform detailed acoustic and shadow flicker analyses

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 > 6.0 m/s annual average

Note that energy is proportional to cube of wind speed

Sample Siting Parameters and Preferences

MassCEC 2011 Telephone Survey of Host CommunitiesReported Complaints vs. Number of Blade Tip Heights

to Nearest Residence

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Municipal ownershipMunicipality finances, procures and owns the

wind facility

Private ownershipMunicipality leases land to wind factiity

developer/ownerMunicipality purchases output directly and/or net

metering credits

Ownership Options

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Key Characteristics of Success

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

Appropriate siting Wind Wildlife Public Acceptance

MARKETS, INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS

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Markets and Incentives Markets

Net Metering Wholesale Power Renewable Portfolio Standard (RECs)

Other Massachusetts incentives Green Communities Program Loan Program – state revolving fund for water-related infrastructure

Federal Production tax credit (PTC)

− Investment tax credit option Accelerated Depreciation USDA Grant and Loan Programs

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Commonwealth Wind Program Structure

LegendCmty. & Cmrcl. Community OnlyCommercial Only Small Only

Construction Rebates

Construction Rebates

Site Assessment

Services

Site Assessment

Services

Design & Construction

Grant

Design & Construction

GrantBusiness

Planning GrantBusiness

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. Provide additional funding for detailed acoustic studies during FS3. Provide information resources at MassCEC.com

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

4. 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. Detailed acoustic study methodology for FSs – done2. Property value study – in process

MA focused/Smaller projects Residential transactions at multiple distances during Development cycle Falmouth Wind Turbine Options Process – in process Facilitation and technical support in response to request from Town

3. Kingston acoustic monitoring – in process4. Research Study on Wind Turbine Acoustics – in process

Collaboration between MassDEP and MassCEC Research study…not a compliance test 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

Community Energy Strategies Pilot Program

GOAL: Assist communities/RPAs to identify and implement the mix of clean energy strategies best suited to address local interests, needs, and opportunities.

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Assess Enable

Thank You . . .

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MassCEC Commonwealth Wind Team

Andy Brydges ABrydges@masscec.com 617-315-9313Nils Bolgen NBolgen@masscec.com 617-315-9311Peter McPhee PMcPhee@masscec.com 617-315-9343Tyler Studds TStudds@masscec.com 617-315-9378

www.masscec.com