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Home My WebLink AboutSmall Wind Technology and Applications Larry-Flowers NREL 2005National Renewable Energy LaboratoryOperated for the U.S. Department of Energy by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle • BechtelSmall Wind Technology and ApplicationsLarry FlowersNational Renewable Energy LaboratoryRevised: May05 •Utility-Scale Wind Power600 - 1,800 kW wind turbines–Installed on wind farms, 10 – 300 MW–Professional maintenance crews–Classes 5 and 6 (> 6 m/s average)•Distributed Wind Power300 W - 600 kW wind turbines–Installed at individual homes, farms, businesses, schools, etc.–On the “customer side” of the meter–High reliability, low maintenance–Classes 2 and 3 (5 m/s average)Small Wind Turbines Are DifferentSmall Wind Turbines Are Different1,500 kW10 kW Frequently Asked Questions (I)Frequently Asked Questions (I)•Lightning: Effectively avoided with proper groundingand use of surge suppressors•Ice Shedding: Blades with ice don’t work! Ice typically accumulates at the base of the tower.•Severe Storms: Can be a problem, some turbines have survived hurricanes and tornados •Hail Damage: Have not heard of problems Frequently Asked Questions (II)Frequently Asked Questions (II)•Radio/TV Interference: Not a problem with today’s fiberglass or wood blades (no metal blades!)•Noise:– Below 30 mph, soft “swoosh” sound– Above 30 mph, can get either:• Loud buzzing from blade “flutter”• “Wop/wop” sound like a helicopter if furled•Impact on Birds: Bird kills are rare, use common sense in siting turbines Frequently Asked Questions (III)Frequently Asked Questions (III)•Homeowners Insurance: Coverage for a damaged wind turbine varies, consult your insurer•Property Taxes: Increased property value? Some states provide temporary or permanent exemptions•FAA Regulations:– Proximity to local airport versus tower height– Investigate if within ~3 miles•Zoning:Towers > 30–35 ft may require a “special use review” by the local zoning authority– Few problems in rural areas – May be difficult/impossible to get for urban/suburban areas Guidance on Structures Near AirportsGuidance on Structures Near Airportsfrom: FAA Advisory Circular AC 70/7460from: FAA Advisory Circular AC 70/7460--2K2KAirport with runway >3,200 ft:slope ratio 100:1, X = 20,000 ftAirport withrunway <3,200 ft:slope ratio 50:1X = 10,000 ft200 ft200 ft200 ft Wind Turbine Installed CostWind Turbine Installed CostExample 1Example 1Updated: 4-Nov-04High Cost Low CostWind turbine & inverter $24,750$24,750 $24,750Tower (100 ft guyed) $7,800$25,100 $6,200Tower Wiring Kit $860$1,070 $860Shipping $1,500$2,000 $1,000Installation $8,000$10,000 $2,000Permits/Fees $500$3,500 $0Sales Tax: 5.0% $2,1719.3% 0.0%Total $45,581$72,272 $34,810Bergey Excel-S (10 kW) Wind Turbine Installed CostWind Turbine Installed CostExample 2Example 2Updated: 4-Nov-04High Cost Low CostWind turbine & Controller $2,045$2,045 $2,045Tower (80 guyed) $2,220$2,220 $690Inverter $1,000$2,500 $500Battery and Containment $300$800 $200Shipping $200$400 $150Installation $1,200$2,500 $0Permits/Fees $200$500 $0Sales Tax: 5.0% $3589.3% 0.0%Total $7,523$11,706 $3,585Southwest WindpowerWhisper 100 (900 W) •Southwestern Kansas•Utility bill reduction•Bergey Windpower Excel turbine,10 kW, 23-ft rotor, 100-ft tower•Electricity production ~21,000 kWh/year•Utility bill savings ~$2,800/year•Installed in early 1983, ~$20,000•Received federal tax credit•Maintenance costs, $50/year•One lightning strike, one blade was replacedCase Study: Case Study: OnOn--Grid FarmGrid Farm 02770329LoadMeterInverterACWindturbineOnOn--Grid Wind System without StorageGrid Wind System without Storage 02770330InverterRegulationandconversionWindturbineACLoadMeterThis system has storagewhich provides backup power.OnOn--Grid Wind System with StorageGrid Wind System with Storage(uninterruptible power)(uninterruptible power) •Morrison, Illinois•Utility bill reduction•Jacobs 26-17.5 wind turbine, 17.5 kW, 26-ft rotor, 120-ft tower•Electricity production ~15,600 kWh/year•Installed cost $15,986 (wind turbine only)•Installed in 1994Case Study:Case Study:OnOn--Grid HomeGrid Home •Tehachapi, California•Net metering for utility bill reduction •Bergey Excel wind turbine,23-ft rotor, 10 kW•Total installed cost was $34,122 in October 1999•California buy down program, $16,871 cash rebate•Estimated payback: 8 yearsCase Study:Case Study:OnOn--Grid HomeGrid Home •Webster, New York•Utility bill reduction•Bergey Excel wind turbine, 10 kWCase Study: Case Study: OnOn--Grid FarmGrid Farm •Good wind resource?•Minimum 1 to 2 acres of land? •Local zoning rules/process or neighborhood covenants that allow wind turbines on at least 60 to 80-ft towers?•Comfortable with long-term investments?•Concerned about rising electricity prices in the future?•Concerned about the environmental impacts of electric power generation?•A desire to be more self-sufficient?Will Wind Energy Work For Me?Will Wind Energy Work For Me? Steps to Implement aSteps to Implement aSmall Wind ProjectSmall Wind Project•Wind Resource•Wind Turbine Dealer – Choose model and tower height, estimate performance, determine price•Grants / Buy-Down / Tax Credit•Zoning / Building Permit•Utility Interconnection Agreement•Installation Small Wind Can Work For You!Small Wind Can Work For You!HomeFarmBusiness