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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. Wind Energy Conversion Systems --- -'--~- - - 3 ' I fJ frti J D D t I 1 I ~ 6k ~w'''"''~~-> ~ ~.<._,.~ ,..- -." ,< -. ~"'J-" .!' "" " . -,$u'~Mi,,,.""~ ,;;,,",~.~,;~ 1 Hometown WindPower . Hometown WindPower Goal: I W. d T b' W k h Produce Local, Clean, and Sustainable Electricity In ur Ine or s op I' Shakopee, MN March 2, 2009 I I I I I I ~t.<.... ~~., ......._... I .-_ . . .~;~I'",:,.":;.~>..';t~':';~---:;;:.:2,,,,:~ . ",,-0' . . __" '~1:.'. -~;~'::-:;Ji~;;'..;j~'<;.';'"~,,:,, ;~ MMPA Promises to the Community Keeping Benefits Local I . K e b ft I I . We will locate turbines in each MMPA I e p ene I S oca member community. . Projects with the community in mind . The project will produce power generation . Renewables Leader within the community where electricity will be I used. . Wind power will reduce global carbon I emiSSions. --- .. 'm.. --- ..- -- .... I I --. .. MMPA 6L MMPA ~ \h",.",>l"'~""""I"rP'_"''''lIJ;<'Yr """'~I ....m\_ '~'""'","h ~"..'~",'r1' f>......'~, 1v.~~"Y1 ...,:,-. - .' Projects with Communities in Mind Leading Renewables . At the foundation of the Hometown . We give member communities the chance to be a Wind Power project is the question "What's in part of the state's energy independence solution by contributing to reach MMPA's goal to produce 25 it for the community?" percent of its power from renewable resources by . We address community concerns, such as 2025. aesthetics and environmental footprint. . Wind turbines signal that each community is a leader . MMPA integrates its projects into the in clean energy production. community as an asset. . Each MMPA community can take pride in this meaningful action to create power for it's ho'metown that is carbon-free and sustainable. MMPA 6Im MMPA '.\'~"1..;.n\.1 ~u"""r:" I',.",.~, At;k"4 ~"""""",v.c"""p,:p,,,,,,,,~,,,_y W:-: -..' 'iV~~~~~""""E" Proposed Wind Turbines Community Scale Wind Turbines . Model: Danwin 160 ,,' kW Wind Turbine ~n Y,' ~t, . Refurbished and ! ". Shipped to Minnesota USftTol.JH.;ght bt ~n . Tower Height: 80' 4SftGnlurnl O"...I\OJ . Galvanized Steel ri . . ,I Tower i ~F~. . Hub Height of Danwin Unit is 80 Feet with a maximum .~s, 1 blade height of 115 feet ....:.~'1I . Turbine Installation is much simpler requiring a much - !;l11a}jer cran.e . ---- --,,", ""P-. -.,,-,,-.,,- "'--, ~'_.'.'."- I ---,--- ---- - -_._..._------~.~- --"-- -- - - -- - - --- -- I I I i ~ ". ~ b.,.".,.=.,,<- : Site Selection Criteria I . Available Wind Resource/Minimal Obstruction I . Control of Property by the City I . Inside City Service Area/Near 3 Phase Distribution I . Prominent Visibility from MajOr Roads I . Site Access- for Installation and Maintenance I . Ability to Minimize Impact on Residents I I . I I I I I I I I I I I : ~~..<> ~~...... ~., .. ....~ ...-.~...",7........<li:i.......~~"""'--"" -', '-';,'. ...,:.:.~.~' .'.;-.... -"-"-~..~...."'..~ I Wind Turbine View From West Wind Turbine View From South I I I ~ - I'.~, ~~" -. " t-~- ~ ~ _' ._-~ --.;; n_ ~ _ .__. .-n- ___ --r-c- - I I I I I I I ~""'~ilkC""_ b. I MMPA MMPA \\,~"",-,."h .....""''1'>1 f">N~' "'Y."""1 \,1.",,,,",1., ',<"",,"p' p,~~, ~)<"""Y .............:tlI'3:P'J'%~'..- ; :'". , . l....__ Wind Turbine View From North ,- - ',,-. i__ .0 -- .~ I I I I J j I I MMPA ~ MMPA I ','-"",,,,^,' V:;....~"'.II>.:...ft. "':;<'-""1' t' ":",;: I'>, ~"'-~'i...., ~':.:'. '.\'~""'!I'l' \~""""I',,1 P'."'" AQ<,'>('1 I I Hometown WindPower Facts I Output for each turbine will be up to 160 kW, enough to power I roughly 110 homes I . Each blade is 35 feet in length The foundation for each turbine is a concrete footing approximately 20 feet in diameter, to a depth of seven feet At full production, the turbine will revolve once every three to five seconds or 11-20 revolutions per minute The project is being financed through Clean Renewable Energy . Blade Length: 36' Bonds (CREBS) Each wind turbine requires a footprint of between one-third and . Fiberglass Blades one-half of an acre, plus access to the site ~'-"--- .,~,_____ _.,,,n. L...._n .".,-,." ..0 ... ,-',-r "-'TT , MMPA Minnesota Municipal Power Agency L~' ~ ~AVANT :W, ~ ENE R G Y --, I - - I Local, Clean and I I Sustainable Electricity I In 2006, the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA) began an I ambitious program to locate wind turbines within our member communities. I This project, titled Hometown Wind Power, is expected to begin construction I in 2009. Each MMPA community can take pride in this meaningful action to I create power for it's hometown that is carbon-free and sustainable. I I I Keeping the Benefits Local I MMPA member utilities are taking a step forward to produce renewable energy in each of ! our cities. The project locates power generation within the community where the electricity will be used. While many wind projects benefit large corporations, Hometown WindPower \ will serve the people who own their municipal utility. We're keeping the economic benefits I local while helping reduce global carbon emissions. I Projects with Communities in Mind I This system of turbines is a reflection of MMPA and Avant Energy's expertise in developing \ generation projects with communities in mind. At the foundation of the Hometown \ WimjPower project IS the question "What's in it for the community?" The answers to this question deal with the obvious, such as lowering energy prices and keeping up with demand, \ but also address issues the community cares about. such as aesthetics and environmental I footprint. MMPA and Avant Energy projects are designed to ensure that communities I experience a development process that looks beyond power generation and integrates I itself into the community as an asset. Once the Hometown WindPower project is completed, MMPA will be more than ever about the power of your hometown. I Leading Renewables I I Hometown WindPower gives all MMPA member communities the chance to become a part I of the solution to the state's renewable energy needs. A wind turbine will be a signal to all I approaching each city that this community cares about the environment and clean energy production - a town that is a leader. In addition, Hometown Wind Power turbines will I contribute to MMPA's requirement under Minnesota law to achieve a goal of 25 percent I of its power used to be from renewable resources by 2025. To learn more about MMPA projects please visit our new website at : www.mmpa.org I I I I I I -MMPA I ~ ~ I Mmnesota Municip<1/ Power Agency I ~AVANT I ;-, ~ ENE R G Y I I ~, I - - I Hometown WindPower Fact Sheet: :. The program was designed by Avant Energy, also the designer of MMPA's Faribault Energy Park electric generation facility that celebrated its grand opening last fall. :. Output for each turbine will be up to 160 KW, enough to power roughly 110 homes: :. Each blade is 40 feet in length. :. The foundation for each turbine is a concrete footing approximately 20 feet in diameter, to a depth of seven feet. :. At full production, the turbine will revolve once every three to five seconds or 11-20 revolutions per minute. :. The project is being financed through Clean and Renewable Energy Bonds (CREBs) issued by MMPA :. Regulatory approval will take approximately 3 months, and we hope to begin construction sometime in the spring of 2009. I :. Each wind turbine requires a footprint of between one-third and one-half of an acre, I plus access to the site. I :. The cost of each turbine is approximately $300.000. I :. Each city in the program will work with Avant Energy to determine the most advantageous I location for its turbine. I :. Our goal is to locate each turbine at least 300 feet away from a residence. (A common I guideline is that in order to be unobtrusive to humans, outdoor noise should be no more I than 45 decibels; indoor noise no more than 30 decibels.) I :. The size of each turbine has not been determined, but we are exploring units that are I about 115 feet tall - The same height as a water tower. I :. MMPA was founded in 1992. Its member utilities are in Anoka. Arlington, Brownton, I Buffalo, Chaska, East Grand Forks, Le Sueur, North St. Paul. Olivia, Shakopee and Winthrop. I ,MMPA is committed to providing its 11 Minnesota member communities with competitively priced, reliable. and sustainable energy. The Agency is owned by its member cities and I g~)Verned by a Board of Directors with representatives from each community. MMPA is an I innovator, pursuing forward-thinking solutions in the areas of power generation, energy I conservation, and renewable I I . (Assumes a 1.5 kW per home average) " - - Minnesota Municipal Power Agency Approaching 2009 with Utilizing Bond Sales Confidence for Renewable Energy Projects A proverb may explain the outlook for the U.s. economy in the 2009: "It's always darkest before the dawn." CREB stands for Clean Renewable Energy Bonds. This term refers to a Economic experts agree we'll see con- federal government program that tinuing volatility well into 2009. It's makes it possible for MMP A to obtain widely reported that the financial funding for renewable, or "clean" crisis began and v,,1.ll end in the credit electrical energy generation projects, markets. As a result, every sector of the economy - including energy - A CREB is a special type of bond, will be subject to erratic credit avail- known as a "tax credit bond," that ability. . offers MMP A the equivalent of an "The Energy Policy Act of 2005 created interest-free loan for financing quali- Formerly, bankers made loans to the Clean Renewable Energy Eond fied energy projects for a limited people who could not repay them. (CREE) program, effectively offering term. The zero percent financing is Now, they fear making any loans at mterestjree debt to eligible renewable an excellent benefit for MMPA to fi- alL How long this situation lasts will, projects. " nance renewable energy projects in in large part, determine the immedi- order meet Minnesota's clean energy ate course of the nation's economic ration to loosen credit and get mandates. life. much-needed renewable energy projects funded and built. Applications for CREB financing are Credit makes the world go 'round in submitted to the Internal Revenue our world of capital-intensive energy An important avenue to credit that Service. The guidance in the 2008 projects. But there are indications MMPA will be employing for its legislation extending previous CREB that renewable energy projects will be Hometown WindPower project will financing dictates that "small is beau- among the areas that will receive lots be CREBs, as explained in the fol- tiful," and small-scale generating pro- of attention b the Obama Administ- lowing article. jects will receive preference under the Wind Farms are New Ventures program. for MMPA MMPA and Avant Energy are in the process of exploring various ways of I MMP A has announced two new wind at a density of roughly one tower issuing CREB bonds for the proposed I farm projects in southern Minnesota. per 80 -acre tract. Hometown WindPower turbines in I On MMPA's behalf, Avant Energy has each MMPA city, and selling them to I begun working with landowners in A third wind farm project aimed for investors. With a CREB bond, the I Freeborn and Steele Counties with Faribault County is in the early IRS provides a tax credit to the bond- I the goal of installing 20 to 30 wind holder, rather than an issuing mu- I planning stages. energy turbines for wind farms in nicipality paying interest on the each county. In announcing the Shell Rock and bonds. The amount of the tax credit Oak Glen projects to the news me- is set by the U.S. Treasury. I I Shell Rock Wind Farm in Freeborn dia, MMPA Chairman Walter I County near Albert Lea and Oak Glen Wysopal said, "Weare believers in We'll keep you informed about how I Wind Farm in Steele County between alternative energy sources, includ- MMP A will be using CREB financing I Owatonna and Blooming Prairie are ing the endlessly renewable supply for the Hometown WindPower pro- I under development. More than ject. I of wind. We believe wind power is I 8,000 acres are being considered in the most environmentally advanta- I the planning stage for each wind geous energy option available to I farm, and each will ultimately be Minnesota." I built in an area of about 2,500 acres (Continued on Page 2) I \ I ,. ~_. ,- New Wind Farm Ventures ! Continued/rom Page 1 I I "There will be several steps before project, which was announced in No- I turbines are installed, including vember. I final feasibility planning, agree- I ments with landowners, financing Attendees of the meetings learned I I arrangements, a permit from the that MMPA and Avant believe in be- I Minnesota Public Utilities Commis- ing good neighbors to the communi- I sion, electric distribution agree- ties in which they operate, including I ments and equipment purchase." providing education about wind I Raudys said the projected capacity power to school groups. is 44 megawatts for each project, Raudys noted the educational aspects which is enough electricity to power ofthe Faribault Energy Park as exam- roughly 14,000 Minnesota homes pIes of providing educational benefits per year. He said each tower will to the host community. occupy about one half acre and will I be approximately 260 feet talL" Raudys added, "The turbines produce clean, quiet energy. Also since tur- f "We hosted meetings for landown- bines are minimally disruptive to I ers in Blooming Prairie and Albert farming, we've found farmers appre- I , Lea," Raudys said. "Landowners ciate the extra income." I have been very receptive to our plans. " While most of the electricity pro- duced at the proposed wind farms Raudys said that media coverage in will serve the Minnesota customers of Owatonna, Blooming Prairie and MMPA member utilities, some will be Currently, Avant experts are studying Albert Lea was very favorable to- made available to other area utilities the feasibility of the projects. If the ward the wind farms. He said that through a regional power distribution projects move forward, landowners for the Oak Glen project, which was network. Questions about the wind will have the opportunity to discuss introduced to the community in farms can be directed to an option agreement that details the September, cooperation agreements Leo. Raudys(alA vantEnergv.com. easement payments, access arrange- have been signed by landowners for ments and related issues. several thousand acres, signaling MMPA Wind Projects were featured excellent local acceptance. Progress in the Star Trib~~J:J-on January 15, I Avant vice president Leo Raudys said, is also being made on the Albert Lea 2009. A copy oJ'fhe article is printed I on thefollowing''page. I I Update on Hometown Wind Power I I I The Hometown WindPower program out being visually overpowering." the projects (see CREBs story else- I -- bringing a wind turbine to each of where in this newsletter). The timing I the 11 MMPA cities -- was introduced Boyles said the MMPA communities and method for issuing the CREBs , , in last quarter's newsletter. Under are proceeding with the issuance of has not been finalized. I I the program, renewable energy is local permits to construct the tur- I produced where it is used. bines, This process usually requires Boyles said MMPA host cities have I I a review by the communities plan- been receptive to the program. "The I According to project manager Dave ning and zoning departments fol- cities recognize that while this is I Boyles, an agreement has been signed lowed by an assigned conditional small-scale production, the wind tur- I to purchase turbines from enXco Ser- use permit and potentially and bines are a visible indication of each vices in California. They are small easement for the property. Each community's commitment to renew- turbines compared to those used in town can use a slightly different able energy," Boyles said. "And in the wind farm projects. They are 115 feet procedure for these reviews. bargain, the Hometown WindPower tall from the ground to the tip of the turbines will help us meet state- extended blade - shorter than most "Now that we have the turbines and mandated renewable energy stan - water towers. towers ordered, we plan to schedule dards." construction this spring and start "Each turbine will produce about 160 producing power this' summer in Dave can be reached at kw of energy," Boyles said. "That's each MMPA city," Boylt;s said. Dave. Boy I es(al avanten ergy. com. I less than originally planned, but we wanted the turbines to be compact Clean Renewable Energy Bonds - I enough to fit into MMP A towns with- CREBs -- will be issued to finance I 2 ~ . MMPA Names and Faces We will regularly report on people who will be serving MMPA members and projects. - ~:~ Walter T. Wysopal Dave A. Boyles Leo J. Raudys was elected chairman of MMPA's has been named by Avant as Senior was named Vice President, with re- board of directors at its recent meet- Project Manager with responsibility sponsibility for wind power programs ing. Wally is City Manager in North for implementing renewable energy at Avant Energy. Leo was previously St. Paul. In April 1998, Wysopal was projects. He is currently the team deputy commissioner of the Minne- appointed to the MMP A Board at leader for the Hometown Wind- sota Pollution Control Agency, where which time he also became Secre- Power project for MMPA. Previ - he served in the post of chief opera- tary. He was elected Vice Chairman ously, Dave was involved in the de- tions officer. As the state's second in March 2001 and was elected Vice velopment of several major utility ranking environmental protection Chairman and Treasurer in 2005. He projects at educational institutions, official, Raudys managed the budget succeeds Dave Pokorney of Chaska, including the University of Minne- and operations of the 1,000- long-time MMPA chairman. sota, Ball State University and Iowa employee agency. Commenting on State University. Dave is a Regis- his new responsibilities, Leo said, tered Professional Engineer in me- "After many years in the public sec- chanical engineering, tor, I'm enjoying working on behalf of MMPA to create new renewable en- ergy projects to serve our state." More Wind is Coming A n article from the Star Tribune Who Are We? I Last update: January 15, 2009 - 5:24 Forks, Le Sueur, North St. Paul, PM Olivia, Shako pee and Winthrop. Minnesota Municipal Power Those are intended to deliver about Agency (MMPA) is committed to The Minnesota Municipal Power 160 kilowatts of electricity to its providing our 11 Minnesota mem- Agency, a group of publicly owned communities, agency chairman ber communities with competi- electric utilities, has announced that Walter Wysopal said in the an- tively priced, reliable and sustain- it has three wind power projects un- nouncement this week. able energy. The Agency is owned der development. by our member cities and governed The projects are in early stages of by a Board of Directors with repre- I Two are wind farms -- Oak Glen development, with financing ar- sentatives from each community. Wind in Steele County and Shell Rock rangements, final feasibility plan- MMPA is an innovator, pursuing Wind in Freeborn County -- each ning and landowner agreements yet forward-thinking solutions in the I with 20 to 30 turbines and a generat- to be done, according to Avant En- areas of power generation, energy ing capacity of 44 megawatts. The ergy, an energy management com- conservation and renewable en- third, the Hometown WindPower pany in Minneapolis that is a part- ergy. I program, plans to put a small turbine ner in the projects. I in eacp of the power group's 11 mem- ber to'wns: Anoka, Arlington, Brown- H.J. CUMMINS ton, Buffalo, Chaska, East Grand I 3 I -- _.