Wind Powering America http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ These news items are notable additions to the Wind Powering America Web site. The Wind Powering America Web site reports recent national and state wind market changes by cataloging wind activities such as wind resource maps, small wind consumer's guides, local wind workshops, news articles, and publications in the areas of policy, public power, small wind, Native Americans, agricultural sector, economic development, public lands, and schools. en-us julie.jones@nrel.gov (Julie Jones) http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/images/wpa_logo_sm.jpg Wind Powering America http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/ USDA Issues Rural Energy for America Program Solicitation of Applicationshttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3441http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3441Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/31/2012

]]>The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a Fiscal Year 2012 Notice of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). The deadlines to apply for REAP grants and loan guarantees under the most recent solicitation are as follows:

  • March 30, 2012: Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications; combination grant and guaranteed loan applications; and renewable energy system feasibility study applications
  • February 21, 2012: Energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications
  • June 29, 2012: Renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan applications.

For more information, see the Notice of Funding Availability in the Federal Register.

]]>Independent Expert Science Panel Releases Report on Potential Health Effects of Wind Turbines: Public Meetings and Comment Periodhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3442http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3442Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/31/2012

]]>An independent panel of experts studying potential health impacts of wind turbines issued its report, Wind Turbine Health Impact Study: Report of the Independent Expert Panel. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health convened the panel, which included physicians and scientists with broad expertise in areas including acoustical noise/infrasound, public health, sleep disturbance, mechanical engineering, epidemiology, and neuroscience.

Three public meetings on the report will be held in February as part of a 60-day comment period, open until Monday, March 19 at 5 p.m. You can submit comments electronically or mail them to:

MassDEP Wind Turbine Docket
One Winter Street, Fourth Floor
Boston, MA 02108

More information is available on the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection website.

]]>KidWind Project Announces 2012 Wind Senators Programhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3443http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3443Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/31/2012

]]>The KidWind Project, one of Wind Powering America's Wind for Schools project partners, announced that applications are now available online for the 2012 Wind Senators training program in Bar Harbor, Maine, on July 24 - August 4. KidWind is looking for 25 educators who are interested in working with teachers to improve wind energy education in their regions. This training combines learning about wind energy science and teaching about wind in K-12 classrooms using a wide array of curricula and educational materials.

]]>August Cellars Wind Turbine Installation: Wind Powering America Lessons Learnedhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3434http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3434Sun, 29 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/30/2012

]]>In January 2011, developers installed a 50-kilowatt Entegrity wind turbine on the grounds of August Cellars, an Oregon winery. The 50-kilowatt turbine is expected to generate approximately 65% of the winery's electrical needs. Wind Powering America interviewed Tom Schaad, August Cellars facility manager, in August 2011 to learn more about this project.

Did you investigate any other renewable energy sources to offset your energy costs? Why did you choose wind over other energy sources?

As a business, we are always looking for ways to control costs. Alternate energy sources that we can own will offset the continual increase in electrical rates. We chose wind because the company that approached us offered a lease-to-own option, which reduced our out-of-pocket costs.

How did you choose the turbine type and size?

We selected the Entegrity EW50 turbine to match the wind resource at our site, according to Portland General Electric and Energy Trust of Oregon.

Can you describe any permitting process and zoning restrictions that you encountered?

We are located outside Newberg, so we actually dealt with the county. We didn't have any problems with locating the turbine on the property. We actually had more restrictions due to our farming practices than any other activity.

Describe the agreement between August Cellars and the project developers. What lessons did you learn?

We chose the 20-year lease-to-own option. We were supposed to pay $3,500 per year with the intent that we purchase the turbine after year 7. The project developers were responsible for all installation costs and were supposed to maintain the turbine for the first 7 years. In terms of lessons learned, the developers were inexperienced at being general contractors, and their poor choices delayed the project for more than 1 year.

During the construction period, what obstacles did you encounter? What lessons would you pass on to others?

The developers did not understand the weather conditions of western Oregon. Their contractor destroyed the farm road and failed to improve it as originally discussed. They have not yet cleaned up the job site. The developers also failed to call for inspections of foundation piers, failed to correctly ground the tower, and failed to pass any inspection on the first attempt. It felt like our turbine was their first installation. Even though the turbine is operational, the communication from the tower to the developer is not functional, nor is the turbine secured per the contract.

Describe any other lessons learned during this process.

While any alternative energy company has to struggle like the rest of us in this economy, I think it would have been to our advantage if we had actually looked at the developer's books to see if the company had the capital to complete the project. We hung with the project, and I still hope it works out, but (people who wish to install a turbine should keep in mind that) a start-up small company might not be able to survive in this economy.

Prior to publishing this story, Wind Powering America repeatedly attempted to contact the project developers, but they did not respond to our requests. We contacted Tom Schaad for a project update, and he reported that the turbine is currently not operating at an optimal level due to mechanical issues. According to Schaad, the developers have not restored the site to preconstruction conditions and have not met the obligations of their contract. August Cellars is currently working with another operations and maintenance company, this one based in Colorado.

Although August Cellars experienced complications with this wind project, others can learn lessons from the project:

  • The project will have a positive impact on the winery's energy usage.
  • The permitting process was simple.
  • The rent-to-own concept will allow August Cellars to potentially own a wind turbine with little upfront capital.
  • Finding high-quality, experienced, and solvent developers is critical to any wind project.
]]>Nominate the Wind Cooperative of the Year for 2011http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3432http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3432Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/25/2012

]]>The 2011 Wind Cooperative of the Year Award will honor one electric cooperative for its leadership in wind power. All electric cooperatives that are members of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) are eligible to apply. Cooperatives can nominate themselves or other cooperatives, and there is no cost to enter. The Wind Cooperative of the Year Award is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America initiative in partnership with NRECA.

This year marks the eleventh anniversary of the award. The 2011 winner will be recognized at the NRECA TechAdvantage Conference in San Diego, California, the afternoon of March 8, 2012.

Please submit nominationsMicrosoft Word by February 13, 2012 to Randy Manion, Western Area Power Administration, P.O. Box 281213, Lakewood, CO 80228-8213.

Past winners are Minnkota Power Cooperative, Kodiak Electric Association, Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, Associated Electric Cooperative, Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative, Western Farmers Electric Cooperative, Holy Cross Energy, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, and Great River Energy. More information about past award recipients is available on the Wind Powering America website.

]]>BLM Seeks Comments for Competitive Leasing of Wind Energy on Public Landshttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3429http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3429Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/17/2012

]]>The Bureau of Land Management published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to give the public background information about the Bureau's interest in establishing an efficient, competitive process for issuing right-of-way leases for solar and wind energy development on the public lands. The Bureau is seeking input on how best to offer public lands through a nomination and competitive process instead of just by right-of-way application. The 60-day comment period closes on February 27, 2012.

]]>Distributed Wind Site Analysis Toolhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3425http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3425Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/16/2012

]]>Distributed wind systems are typically installed near the point of electricity use at residences, businesses, and community institutions such as schools and hospitals to help save energy, reduce energy bills, and cut carbon emissions. The Distributed Wind Site Analysis Tool, developed by the Cadmus Group, Inc., allows users to input location and terrain information about a potential wind system site in the United States and predict the energy output and environmental benefits of that site. The tool is designed to help potential wind energy system consumers choose the most effective site for their wind energy project. The standard version of the tool was developed in partnership with the U.S Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Encraft. The standard version is free, and a version with more advanced features is available for an annual subscription fee. The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy funded development of the tool through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants.

]]>Illinois Wind for Schools Application Due March 1http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3427http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3427Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 MSTDate: 1/16/2012

]]>A new program designed to incorporate wind energy topics into middle and high school classrooms is slated to begin during the 2012-2013 school year. Illinois Wind for Schools is an initiative sponsored through a partnership with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University, the Western Illinois University Department of Engineering Technology, the Center for Renewable Energy at Illinois State University, and the College of Education at Illinois State University. The program will offer curriculum development resources, teacher professional development, on-site technical assistance, and instructional equipment to middle school and high school teachers across the state. All training, curriculum, and equipment will be offered at no charge to schools selected for the program. Applications and guidelines are available at the Illinois Wind for Schools website. Schools selected for the program will be notified by April 2. Although Illinois is not one of the official 11 DOE-funded Wind for Schools project states, it is eligible to take advantage of the Wind for Schools Affiliate Project.

]]>Impact of Wind Power Projects on Residential Property Values: A NEWEEP Webinarhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2610http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2610Fri, 14 May 2010 00:00:00 MSTDate: 5/5/2010]]>Location: MA]]>The New England Wind Energy Education Project (NEWEEP) hosted the first in a series of free webinars. The main topic of NEWEEP's inaugural event was, "The Impact of Wind Power Projects on Residential Property Values" presented by Ben Hoen, consultant to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories. The session opened with a brief introduction of the New England Wind Energy Education Project, followed by an introductory discussion of, "Wind Power's role in Achieving Regional Policy Objectives" presented by Heather Hunt, executive director of New England States Committee on Electricity. The webinar included a question and answer session. This was a free webinar funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Powering America Initiative. The webinar was designed for attendance by the general public, local officials, facility siting decision makers, policy makers, and others interested in a review of objective information on the impacts of wind energy.

Receive Notices for Future Webinars in the Series

If you would like to be on the NEWEEP mailing list to be notified of future NEWEEP webinars via email, please provide us with your contact information. Subscribers will also receive periodic email announcements about newly posted information on the New England Wind Forum website and new editions of the New England Wind Forum newsletter. The addresses and information of those signing up will not be distributed to anyone else for any other purpose. Past NEWEEP webinar audio visual files and transcripts are available.

]]>Estimating Small Wind Turbine Energy Output and Economic Performance: An ASES Small Wind Division Webinarhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2853http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=2853Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:00:00 MSTDate: 11/4/2010]]>The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) Small Wind Division bi-monthly Webinar series continued with a presentation titled, "Managing Expectations: Estimating Small Wind Turbine Energy Output and Economic Performance." The Webinar was presented by Tony Jimenez from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This presentation taught methods for estimating wind turbine energy production and economic performance. The presentation started with an overview of wind characteristics and energy potential before describing the techniques used to evaluate wind turbine energy production and economic performance. Publically available sources of wind data were also discussed.

Audio and text versions of the Webinar are available (WMV 12.9 MB) Download Windows Media Player. Time: 01:03:47. Text Version.

]]>NARUC Winter Committee Meetingshttp://winter.narucmeetings.org/http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3306Thu, 1 Dec 2011 00:00:00 MSTDate: 2/5/2012 to 2/8/2012]]>Location: Washington, DC]]>Source: National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners

]]>Join regulatory colleagues at the two preeminent utility regulatory conferences in Washington—the NARUC Winter Committee Meetings and the National Electricity Forum. Policymakers from all over the utility spectrum, including energy, telecommunications, and water, will attend. These events offer in-depth, timely analysis of public policy issues related specifically to the utility sectors.

]]>NASEO/ASERTTI State Energy Policy and Technology Outlook Conferencehttp://www.naseo.org/events/energyoutlook/index.htmlhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3307Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:00:00 MSTPlease see the Web site for more information.AWEA Wind Power on Capitol Hillhttp://www.awea.org/events/Wind-Power-On-Capitol-Hill-2012.cfmhttp://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/filter_detail.asp?itemid=3138Thu, 6 Oct 2011 00:00:00 MSTPlease see the Web site for more information.