Wind Energy
Definition:
The terms wind energy or wind power describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.
Relative Cost:
The Small Wind Electric Systems: A New Hampshire Consumer's Guide states, a small turbine can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $35,000 installed, depending on size, application, and service agreements with the manufacturer. (The American Wind Energy Association [AWEA] says a typical home wind system costs approximately $32,000 (10 kW); a comparable photovoltaic [PV] solar system would cost over $80,000.) A general rule of thumb for estimating the cost of a residential turbine is $1,000 to $3,000 per kilowatt.
Benefits:
- Wind energy is a domestic source of energy, produced in the United States. The nation's wind supply is abundant.
- Wind energy relies on the renewable power of the wind, which can't be used up. Wind is actually a form of solar energy; winds are caused by the heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the rotation of the earth, and the earth's surface irregularities.
- Wind energy is one of the lowest-priced renewable energy technologies available today, costing between 4 and 6 cents per kilowatt-hour, depending upon the wind resource and project financing of the particular project.
- Wind turbines can be built on farms or ranches, thus benefiting the economy in rural areas, where most of the best wind sites are found. Farmers and ranchers can continue to work the land because the wind turbines use only a fraction of the land. Wind power plant owners make rent payments to the farmer or rancher for the use of the land.
Challenges:
- Wind power must compete with conventional generation sources on a cost basis. Depending on how energetic a wind site is, the wind farm may or may not be cost competitive. Even though the cost of wind power has decreased dramatically in the past 10 years, the technology requires a higher initial investment than fossil-fueled generators.
- The major challenge to using wind as a source of power is that the wind is intermittent and it does not always blow when electricity is needed. Wind energy cannot be stored (unless batteries are used); and not all winds can be harnessed to meet the timing of electricity demands.
- Good wind sites are often located in remote locations, far from cities where the electricity is needed.
- Wind resource development may compete with other uses for the land and those alternative uses may be more highly valued than electricity generation.
- Although wind power plants have relatively little impact on the environment compared to other conventional power plants, there is some concern over the noise produced by the rotor blades, aesthetic (visual) impacts, and sometimes birds have been killed by flying into the rotors. Most of these problems have been resolved or greatly reduced through technological development or by properly siting wind plants.
Tools / Incentives:
- US Deptpartment of Energy - New England Wind Forum: http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/newengland.asp
Website includes a model ordinance. A well-designed zoning ordinance includes a section that defines "small wind energy systems" and clearly spells out the relevant restrictions.
- American Wind Association: http://www.awea.org/smallwind/
Small wind communications toolbox includes information related to buying and installing systems and promoting wind energy in your community.
- AWS TrueWind, New England Wind Map: http://truewind.teamcamelot.com/ne/
The Wind Map is designed to facilitate the development of wind energy both for large-scale generation (wind farms) and for smaller, single wind turbine applications. In addition, the Wind Map is intended for a wide variety of users, including government planners, private energy developers, electric utilities, private individuals and businesses, and university researchers.
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Design Standards /
Land Use Regulations
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