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Home My WebLink AboutSuccessful Development Wind Projects NREL Pres IanBaring 04-25-2007The Successful Development of Wind Projects in Alaska April 25, 2007 Ian Baring-Gould What to Expect Developing a wind / diesel project will require time, patience, and a willingness to hire experience •A long process (2 to 3 years) –Need a champion •Will need for help from people with experience –Wind data analysis –Geotechnical analysis –Wind / diesel power system design / implementation –Permitting / environmental experience •Spend some money to insure that the project has value to the community •Become a mini-expert in wind systems to understand the options Initial Screening Conduct an initial assessment using the data that you have available to determine if it makes sense to invest in a new system - does the project even start to make sense? •Alaska wind resource map •Alaska village electric load calculator •Community discussion http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica http://www.akenergyathority.org/programwindresourcedata.html Resource Assessment Good resource data helps to ensure that •Project meets economic goals •System is properly designed Need to collect some local data •Install anemometer at a proper site •Correlate data to long term data sets from local airports, weather stations… AEA anemometer loan program www.akenergyathority.org/programwindresourcedata.html Assess power production from several different wind turbines Load Assessment Need to understand the current and future load in the community to properly assess system options Measured data (Collect data from the plant) •Typical days (how does plant power vary) •Billing Records (then need to include losses) •Power System Output Estimated data •Assess Households, Commercial and institutional loads •Spreadsheet tools -Alaska village electric load calculator Other Community deferrable & optional loads •Water pumping, ice making, battery charging •Thermal loads (heating and water) Expected load growth •Historic simple load growth •New or planned facilities; schools, water projects etc. Load management and energy efficiency Pre-feasibility Study What is the most economical way to supply the power to meet the needs of the community Desired Results Basic power system design Estimate of initial and O&M expense Base line cost of alternatives Yearly renewable production Diesel displacement Reduction in fuel consumption need to be as realistic as possible regarding costs and equipment performance Results need to be discussed with the community … should the project go forwards? Site Selection Need to determine where the new equipment is going to go … Controls and other equipment •Space within the power house Wind turbines •Land availability (Private / Public) •Good wind site (on a hill, close to coast) •Good ground (Geotechnical analysis) •Proximity to power station •Road access •Access to distribution lines Again… Community involvement will be required Identify Permitting Issues Understanding what permits you will have to contend with will help to determine the project timeline and cost •Endangered Species •Avian studies –Raptors, Migratory birds –Review with interested parties (Fish and Wildlife, Community) –Start assessments as needed •Visual studies –how will the project look •Historical and archeological studies •Wetland review •FAA assessment Planning for the Future Making sure the system lasts as long as it is supposed to... •Finical sustainability Develop a financial plan to insure system financial sustainability •Operation & Maintenance Guidance: Develop a sound long term operation and maintenance plan for the power systems including warrantees, long term service support •Training Programs: The proper design, installation, operation and maintenance of power systems is dependent on the quality and training of the people used to perform these tasks. A one time training will not suffice Detailed Design and Cost Estimate •What parts of the existing plant will need to be replaced / upgraded •What other power system improvements can be completed at the same time •Turbine specification / Identify manufactures –Get quotes for different turbines –Look at different options: Cold climate, tower types, installation –What limits are there on installation, size, foundation type –History of company, Alaska involvement •Conduct detailed system analysis and design •Development of project timeline (shipping and construction constraints) Finding Project Funding Identify funding opportunities •Private - green tags, corporate loans, alternative funding •Public –State and Federal grants, loans, bonds Responding to request for proposals •Follow the format and address all of the grant requirements • All involved parties must be included; letters of support, MOU’s •Play to your projects strengths •You must address the projects deficiencies •Play to the needs of the granting party •Play it safe –you will not get negative credit for providing to much information (within limits proposal) •Always mention local, in-kind contribution is usually required •Have a good team with experience in wind/diesel, rural construction and power system maintenance •Consider consulting with a grant writer Permitting As the project moves forward –Permits will have to be obtained Permitting at the Local, State and Federal level •Zoning / land use permits •Environmental •FAA - determination of no impact (if near an airport) •NEPA review Deploying Projects There are basically two processes of project implementation. •Self developed (you or the concessionaire does it) •Request for Proposal (RFP) (you oversee everything and others do it) Key additional issues •Equipment specification –what to use •Foundation design •Equipment integration design (storage, stability) •Grid stability/load flow analysis (especially with wind turbine connected to distribution) Final System Design and Implementation Determine final system requirements Contract for design and installation •Identify critical issues •Develop RFP for system •Review proposals •Oversee installation •System commissioning •Obtain manuals and engineering drawings In-house construction •Analyze dynamic operation •Produce engineering drawings •BOS specification •Order equipment •Design and install foundations •Instalation of system •System interconnection •Commissioning Operating System Commissioning Important step of the implementation process •Insures proper project implementation •Sets a baseline for power system operation •Sets basis for warrantee and equipment service claims Basic Steps •Check of system components to be supplied •Review basic system design •Checklists for commissioning of different technologies •Detailed review of system and its operation •Written and signed documents expressing the results of the commissioning process and detailing required service issues Usually includes initial training on power system and component operation Monitoring and Revote Access •Allows oversight of system performance •Enables real time system interrogation and troubleshooting even when off site •Can reduce maintenance and down time •Long term monitoring of allows –Assess warrantee –Provide feedback on energy usage –Support the expansion of the project when it is needed –Improve system efficiency –Documentation of benefits Review •Development of a community power system is not a simple task –lots of steps •Wind-diesel systems are complex and companies with experience should be approached to assist •The operation and maintenance structure should be considered from the beginning •Projects are develop in a step wise process getting more detailed (and more expensive) as time goes on •Identifying funding to cover both development and implementation is a difficult hurdle •System installation and commissioning are critical to project life •Community collaboration is critical 2007 Wind / Diesel Workshop October 11th to 14th, 2007 Workshop: Thursday & Friday Power System Tours: Saturday & Sunday Sponsors Supporters For more information or to help sponsor visit: www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_diesel.asp Thank You! Ian Baring-Gould National Renewable Energy Laboratory