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Build smart. When building a new wind farm, some of the most challenging issues occur in the early planning and construction stages. New developers should spend time on research and due diligence before committing to their first wind project. (Photo credit: Joy Powers)

So you’ve found an ideal location to build a wind farm and are considering life as a wind developer. How hard could it be, right? Before jumping into the industry with both feet, first consider the many phases and nuisances involved with moving a wind project forward. Wind development comes with unique and often subtle development challenges that can easily make or break a project.

A full understanding of those subtle industry differences can save time, cost, and potential pitfalls when developing a wind farm.

Development phases
Wind-farm development is a complex process. As a project progresses through the various stages of development, there are many opportunities for mistakes that can seriously affect the final outcome and success of a wind farm. In fact, some of the biggest mistakes in wind development begin in the early stages and are difficult to overcome as the project progresses.

The typical phases of wind-farm development are:

• Prospecting and land securing
• Wind-resource assessment
• Interconnection and transmission studies
• Wind-farm design and permitting
• Power purchase agreements
• Financing
• Procurement
• Construction and operations

Poor site selection is all too common with new developers. Sites are ill chosen for the wrong reasons, such as location preferences, or without sufficient due diligence.

Typical problems that arise from poor site selection include:

• Landowner issues,
• Less than adequate wind resource,
• Lack of access to transmission (or no capacity on existing lines),
• Lack of an off-taker for the power,
• Constructability issues, and
• Fatal permitting issues.

Data collection
Depending on the size of the project and the complexity of the terrain, a number of site measurements are necessary to validate wind flow. A financeable wind-measurement campaign includes proper selection of measurement locations and heights, a reliable measurement instrument, and an equipment maintenance plan. Also needed is a high degree of data recovery and thorough documentation.

Most investors and banks require a minimum of one year of onsite wind data before either will consider financing a project. Most turbine manufacturers have the same requirement.

An independent engineer is typically asked to verify the wind regime and energy projections prior to financial closing, so the wind measurement campaign must be thoroughly documented and the met towers precisely installed at a potential development site. Installation details such as tower location, mounting heights, boom directions, instrument models, serial numbers, calibration coefficients, and site photographs are all necessary for the independent engineer to perform his or her task accurately.

Know the opposition. Establishing strong local connections and community support for a wind project is often the best way to anticipate and avoid opposition that may threaten land leases, project permits, and wind-farm financing. Permitting bodies also tend to look more favorably upon projects that have strong local support and participation, so being proactive can successfully impact a new wind project.

Permitting standards
Permitting is an expensive part of a wind-power project, and requirements vary from state to state and from county to county. One missed step can quickly jeopardize or halt a project from moving forward. For example, regulations are often changing with regards to bats, eagles, migratory flyways, and endangered species or regions, so keep up with the latest rules and bylaws.

The size of wind turbines — which has gotten larger and taller of late — is also an important development consideration. Setbacks from occupied structures have increased due to noise and shadow flickering concerns, which may eliminate some of the developable area.

Turbine choices
As wind turbines get taller and blades longer, it is critical to measure wind speeds at hub height and within the vertical profile of the swept area of the blade. Failure to obtain accurate wind measurements could jeopardize the chances of getting turbines certified for a site. The type of measurement instrument selected is also important, and quality counts. Lower quality instruments can result in poor data and higher uncertainty in the wind regime. This, in turn, can lead to significantly higher financing costs, many times more than the amount saved on cheaper instrumentation.

The type of wind turbine selected is also crucial to achieving a successful and financially viable project. All turbines are not created equal. Some turbines match up with the wind resource better and, therefore, produce more electricity than the others. Some turbine types will have higher upfront costs, while others may have higher operations and maintenance costs. All such factors need consideration prior to selecting the best turbine model for the project.

Buyers wanted
If you intend to sell power to a local utility once the wind farm is up and running, it is a good idea to open up a dialog early on. It is also important to research the local infrastructure, proposed upgrades to transmission systems and substations, long range plans for large transmission projects, and the overall system operations for that region.

As more and more wind farms are built in an area, the possibility of being curtailed due to transmission congestion becomes more likely and will affect the financial viability of the project. The late stage of project development is a less than ideal time to learn there are no interested buyers for the output from the wind farm — and this does happen from time to time. The reason? There are several including political changes that affect the market, interconnection or transmission issues preventing access to the market, or unrealistic expectations regarding the anticipated power pricing.

It cannot be overstated: proper due diligence in the early stages of a wind project can help avoid costly mistakes and disappointment down the road.

The post First-time wind developers: What to know before you build appeared first on Windpower Engineering & Development.

Success of a wind project starts by selecting an optimum site and, for that, there are four key aspects of wind-farm siting, said Chris Parcell, Director of Feasibility and Development at SgurrEnergy. The first is to inspect the land and determine whether it is possible to obtain construction permits. Next, a developer must analyze the wind resource at the site. This involves measuring wind speed to ensure it can generate enough energy to create revenue, and deciding on which turbines will work longest and require the least possible maintenance.

When siting a location for a wind farm, several protocols are worth observing for success. Most important is conducting a professional wind-measurement campaign.

A developer then has to examine the grid connection, which is necessary to export power and earn revenue. The costs and capacities of grid connection vary depending on location. Finally, environmental restraints must be weighed. Constraints may include ecological concerns, noise, shadow flicker, and visual impact.

When siting a location for a wind farm, several protocols are worth observing for success. Most important is conducting a professional wind-measurement campaign.

“Wind measurements are needed to determine the economic viability of the project, as well as to determine the suitability of the turbine design for a site,” said Jay Haley, Principal in Charge of Wind Energy at consulting firm EAPC. To obtain the most reliable data possible, developers should use quality instruments to collect data at the wind-turbine hub height for at least one full year prior to installation.

Parcell added that developers must also carry out an environmental impact assessment, which is typically required by the permitting authority and financial institutions. These surveys typically consist of studying the ecology and ornithology of the site, peat probing (a soil analysis), noise modeling, and visual studies. The goal is to avoid or minimize potential impacts on the environment.

The available transmission capacity is also important to inspect, said Haley. Depending on the upgrades or additions necessary to accommodate the wind farm, the transmission component could be a major cost item, which feeds into the financial feasibility of the site.

Parcell explained several other sensitive features worthy of consideration in siting protocols, such as the internal track layout and access points to the site based on the topography and survey results from the site. Together, all of this information can help accurately determine the optimal turbine layout for the site.

Developers are often met with challenges when performing site assessments. “Wind development is a complex and expensive process,” Haley said. “Bad decisions made early on can have expensive or even disastrous consequences later on.”

With this in mind, developers must understand that each site will present unique problems depending on the requirements of authorities and financial institutions. To help combat issues that arise, it is important to plan ahead and devise specific plans of action.

Another important task for developers is to strategically identify and solve challenges early on in the development process. Common issues include reducing the effect of wind turbines on aviation radar, managing forestry to maintain the safety of animals, and compensating residents on or near a proposed wind farm, said Parcell. Developers must also understand the requirements of banks and lenders whom they are working with to avoid costly delays.

During the development of a wind farm, it is also necessary to involve the community in the process. “Communities are important stakeholders in wind-farm developments because they could be directly affected in many ways such as construction traffic, visual impact, or noise,” added Parcell.

What’s more, with local support of a project, it is easier for developers to secure land leases and permits. It is common to see a planning committee determine wind-farm planning applications. These committees are typically made of elected members of the community who will represent the views of their constituents, which emphasizes the importance of gaining local support.

This section provided by Emily Wild, WPE&D research assistant.

The post What are the big wind-farm siting issues facing developers today? appeared first on Windpower Engineering & Development.

This is the second in a two-part series on wind-farm development. The first article, entitled Advice for first-time developers, was published in the June 2016 issue. It discussed some of the regulations and challenges of wind-farm site selection. While many developers put time and consideration into new project siting, permitting, turbine selection, and financing, transmission is sometimes an afterthought. However, transmission considerations are just as important as finding the right project site. Here’s why.

Prior to securing land for a new wind development, it is important to research the local infrastructure including current transmission system operation, long-range plans, and proposed system upgrades for that region. Also, if you intend to sell power to a local utility once the wind farm is up and running, start a conversation early on in the process to ensure smooth project development.

Wind-farm development is a complex process. As a new wind project progresses through various stages of development, there are many opportunities for mistakes that can seriously affect its final outcome and success. Some of the biggest mistakes in wind development begin in the early stages and are difficult to overcome as the project progresses.

Poor site selection is all too common with new developers. Sites are chosen for the wrong reasons, such as location preferences or without sufficient due diligence. They are also ill chosen for lack of consideration of the grid or transmission capabilities.

Transmission lines may be located near a potential new wind-farm site, but gaining access to the lines is another matter that can prove challenging and costly. There have been plenty of new developers who’ve secured a project site and permits only to find out nearby transmission lines cannot carry more load. Ensuring that a site is ideal for a new wind farm includes asking important questions related to the grid, such as:

• What transmission lines are nearby, and what is their available capacity?
• How accessible is the grid, and have other developers showed interest in gaining access to the transmission in the area?
• What transmission upgrades (and costs) are necessary to accommodate a new wind project?
• Who will buy the wind power once connected to the grid?
• If planning to sell to a local utility, can the power get delivered directly using nearby lines or are multiple systems required for power delivery?

Wind developers should consider answers to these and other questions carefully as part of a successful project development process.

Understanding the grid
A transmission grid is one of the most complicated engineering systems devised by man. It is complicated technically in terms of how electrons flow from generators to the load (or end user), and contractually in terms of how costs are allocated. The process of gaining access to the transmission system is also complicated and costly.

Much like securing a project site, when developing a new wind farm it is imperative to conduct similar due diligence on the local transmission system. Research the local infrastructure and look into proposed upgrades to transmission systems and substations. Also consider potential long-range plans for large transmission projects and the overall system operations for the region.

Here is a step-by-step guide for getting your new wind project connected to the grid. Although this process will vary from one system operator to the next, the general steps are similar.

The 34.5-MW Munnsville Wind Farm in New York is an example of a successfully developed wind project that has been generating power for a number of years now. It consists of 23 GE Energy 1.5 XLE wind turbines (diameter 77 m; hub height 80 m | photo credit: Bob Sherwin of EAPC).

1. The interconnection request
You have located what seems an ideal site for a new wind farm and may have already started a wind-resource assessment campaign. Next, it is time to ensure the power produced by turbines can efficiently and cost-effectively find its way to electricity users. This process typically starts with an interconnection request. Your position in the queue (other interested developers are often in the area) is determined by the date of the request, and receipt of a non-refundable pre-payment for a feasibility study.

2. The feasibility study
This study is generally required to assess the viability of the transmission lines and capacity for the proposed project. Its purpose is to determine with minimal effort, time, and cost whether there is a reasonable likelihood that the interconnection request can be satisfied. Remember to set aside resources for this process. The cost of a study is typically in the range of $5,000 to $50,000. This range reflects the size of the project scope, grid access, and number of transmission lines in the area. The study itself does not usually take long and, on average, completes in less than a month. However, this is dependent on the number of study requests in the queue and it could take a year before your study request makes it to the front of the line.

3. System impact study
If a feasibility study is given the green light and the interconnection request accepted, the next step involves a system impact study. Note, this step will cost more and take longer to complete. The typical cost could range from $20,000 to over $100,000, depending on the size of the wind farm. And expect it to take up to six months or longer to complete once your request has made it to the front of the queue (this could also take a year or longer).

As its name implies, the purpose of a system impact study is to consider the potential system impacts that may affect local transmission lines and the overall grid from injection of new wind energy from your project. Essentially, this study will determine:

• The minimum amount of interconnection service available for the proposed new wind project — without the need for system upgrades.
• When upgrades or reinforcements are necessary to handle your full request, a detailed list of what they are including a high-level cost estimate for them.
• A rough timetable for when transmission access could be granted.

To properly complete a system impact study, it is necessary to have detailed information about the exact wind turbines planned for your project. If you didn’t start your wind-monitoring campaign early enough, you may not yet have enough information to choose the ideal turbine make and model for site. When this is the case, you will have to wait until the wind assessment is complete, potentially wasting time and your place in the queue, so plan accordingly.

4. The facilities study
If you’ve managed to successfully make it through steps two and three, the next stage involves a detailed facilities study. This study is quite involved and will help determine what equipment is needed to reinforce the grid to accommodate your project. A facilities study provides developers, utilities, and transmission owners and operators with a precise list of upgrades, costs, and timetables for interconnection and improvements if necessary. It also tells when you’re able to gain access to the transmission system. Typical costs for this study range from $50,000 to over $100,000, and could take six months to a year to complete.

5. The transmission service request
If your proposed wind-farm project makes it through to this point and has proven technically and financially feasible from a grid standpoint, you are now in a position to make a formal transmission service request. This request is for the right to use a specific amount of capacity on the grid to deliver wind-generated power from one location to another. It is a good sign and means your wind project is ready to go from a transmission viewpoint, but it won’t come cheap. Expect to make a substantial payment for this service (think: hundreds of thousands of dollars).

Wind development is certainly not for the faint of heart. As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, if you intend to sell power to a local utility once the wind farm is up and running, it is a good idea to open up a dialog early on and maintain realistic expectations regarding the anticipated power pricing. Transmission studies alone are costly and time consuming. The late stage of project development is a less than ideal time to learn there are no interested buyers for the output from the wind farm.

Many potential transmission-related risks crop up along the way. Seeking advice from knowledgeable transmission experts early on in the development process can avoid some of the many pitfalls that could derail a project. 

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