Wind

NC Could Be A National Wind Energy Leader
NCSEA & NC companies attend WINDPOWER 2009

Nearly a dozen North Carolina companies exhibited at WINDPOWER 2009, the annual wind energy conference organized by the American Wind Energy Association. During the three-day event, this diverse mix of NC companies and NCSEA staff gained exposure to over 23,000 attendees, up from 13,000 in 2008.

Morrisville-based Bijur Delimon International, a company offering lubrication systems to a variety of industries, attended with hopes of new sales to the industry. Also present was Power Partners from Charlotte, offering engineering design and construction services for the wind and solar industries. Meanwhile, Penn Cell Plastics, based in Rocky Mount, was interested in diversifying its product offerings by providing specialized utility enclosures for the industry. The NC Solar Center also maintained an exhibition booth and disseminated information about the state's untapped wind resource and manufacturing potential. Every firm from North Carolina was interested in supporting an industry that provided 42% of the new generation capacity in the US in 2008, up from less than 2% in 2004 (see Annual Wind Industry Report for additional details).
 
The presence of NC companies at WINDPOWER 2009 is notable for two reasons. First, the companies demonstrate the broad range of employment opportunities across the industry. Beyond the construction and operation of wind energy facilities, a large number of jobs are related to the provision of goods and services to the industry. Even more important, the presence of NC firms reveals that companies with headquarters or manufacturing facilities in our state can contribute these goods and services, even if the majority of the installations are occurring in other regions of the country.
 
NC's limited presence in the industry - and its lack of utility-scale installations - could change with the strong national interest demonstrated by the federal government and the private sector. During the conference, the US Department of Energy (DOE) awarded approximately $100,000 in grant funding to the NC Solar Center, in partnership with Appalachian State University and NCSEA, to advance wind energy implementation in North Carolina.

In addition, the DOE Wind Powering America program, which works to address market barriers to wind energy development, ranks NC as a priority state and provides valuable support to state stakeholders. In the private sector, a number of wind developers are prospecting potential sites in eastern and western NC. Further, the American Wind Energy Association has identified NC as one of the Southeastern states that could contribute significantly to the industry by manufacturing wind turbine components.
 
For further information about wind energy in North Carolina, please contact Paul Quinlan at paul@energync.org or (919) 832-7601, ext. 105.

NORTH CAROLINA WIND WORKING GROUP
In January 2008, the Coastal Wind Working Group and the Western Wind Working Group merged to form the North Carolina Wind Working Group. The goals of this group are:

• Develop a clear understanding of existing attitudes on wind development
• Educate the public and key stakeholders, and address their issues
• Generate interest leading to responsible wind development.

One of the first tasks of the group was to develop a model wind ordinance to inform communities considering wind energy development. The Model Wind Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina, which was approved in July 2008, was developed in a collaborative effort that included federal and state agencies, wind industry professionals, NCSEA and other nonprofit organizations, and other stakeholders interested in responsible wind energy development.

The Model Wind Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina is intended to provide assistance to communities designing a local wind ordinance. The North Carolina Wind Working Group encourages each community to modify the model ordinance to meet their needs. However, it is important to note that the setbacks are minimum requirements, designed to protect public safety and mitigate the impacts of noise and shadow flicker. By addressing these concerns through minimum setback requirements, the model wind ordinance omits lot size requirements and height restrictions – which can be found in several North Carolina ordinances.

While North Carolina’s primary wind resources are located in mountain and coastal counties, the model ordinance does not consider or account for regional variations – such as hurricanes. Therefore, the Wind Working Group encourages communities to consider important local factors when crafting a wind ordinance. Finally, communities should also understand that the adoption of a local wind ordinance will not preclude a wind energy facility from the requirements of applicable state and federal regulations.

Click here to read the press release announcing the approval of the model wind ordinance. Contact Paul Quinlan at paul@energync.org or (919) 832-7601, ext. 105 for more information regarding wind energy in North Carolina.


WIND TURBINE MECHANICS
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity.  Most common are horizontal axis wind turbines, which consist of two or three blades that face the wind and spin around a rotor.  The rotor is connected to a low-speed shaft, located in the structure housing the generating components called the nacelle.  Gears connect the low-speed shaft to the high-speed shaft, which increases the rotational speed from about 30 to 60 rotations per minute (rpm) to about 1000 to 1800 rpm.  The higher rpm is required by most generators to produce electricity.  Turbines are mounted on towers to take advantage of faster, less turbulent wind.  

Other components include the yaw drive which keeps the rotor of upwind turbines facing into the wind as the wind direction changes.  Wind turbines also include a brake used to stop the rotor in emergencies or high winds. Click the image for details on additional components.


Source: DOE/EERE

 
TURBINE SIZE
The size of a turbine will vary depending on the location and its intended use.  Small turbines – defined as 100kW capacity or less – can be used in homes or businesses, telecommunications dishes, or water pumping.  Larger, utility-scale wind turbines can be connected to the utility grid, delivering clean power to utility customers.
 
Through interconnection and net metering standards, a home or business can consume electricity generated from both a wind turbine and the local utility.  At low wind speeds (less than 7-9 mph), a small turbine would produce little or no energy, requiring the home or business to purchase electricity from their utility.  As wind speed increases, turbine output would increase – reducing the amount of power purchased from the utility.  If the turbine produces more power than home or business consumes, the excess electricity is sold to the utility and placed on the electric grid.   Small wind turbines also can be used in conjunction with diesel generators, batteries, and photovoltaic systems.  These hybrid systems are typical in remote locations where connection to the electric grid is difficult.
                                                                                                                                                                                           Photo courtesy of DOE/NREL.


MEASURING WIND RESOURCES
Winds are created by the uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, irregularities of the Earth's surface, and the rotation of the Earth. As a result, winds are strongly influenced and modified by local terrain, bodies of water, weather patterns, vegetative cover, and other factors. Wind potential is divided into seven classes with one being the lowest and class seven being the highest.  Class 2 areas are often adequate for small wind applications, but Class 4 winds are needed for utility-scale applications. 

As evident from the map below, North Carolina has ample wind resources in the mountain and coastal regions.  However, in the mountains, concern exists over the North Carolina Mountain Protection Act, commonly referred to as the Ridge Law, which prohibits the construction of tall buildings or structures on the ridges of many North Carolina’s mountains.

Click here to view the map below at a larger scale and other NC wind maps.


Photo courtesy of DOE/NREL


WIND TURBINE CONSIDERATIONS
A major benefit of wind energy is that the system operations do not generate any air or water emissions or hazardous waste.  Most notable, wind systems do not release carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.  Even when turbine production is considered, the wind energy carbon dioxide emissions are about 1% of coal and 2% of natural gas per unit of electricity generated.

Several concerns often arise over wind turbines.  One concern, erosion around the turbine site, can be prevented with proper installation and landscaping technique.  A second concern, noise, was a common issue with early turbines.  This problem has been largely eliminated with improved engineering and careful siting.

Finally, the most common concern over wind turbines is birds and bats colliding with the structures, resulting in death.  While some sites may be more problematic than others, the overall impact of the wind industry is minimal compared to other anthropogenic threats. A 2002 study found buildings, vehicles, and cats prove a much greater threat to bird populations than wind turbines.


Source: Erickson, et al., 2002.  Summary of Anthropogenic Causes of Bird Mortality.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

American Wind Energy Association
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) is a national trade association representing wind power project developers, equipment suppliers, services providers, parts manufacturers, utilities, researchers, and others involved in the wind industry.  The website contains a recent market report – Wind Power Outlook 2007 – and an excellent Wind Web Tutorial.

North Carolina Wind Energy
Maintained by Appalachian State University, this site contains upcoming events in North Carolina, reports and research, wind maps for counties in western North Carolina, turbine dealers and installers, and much more.

Small Wind Electric Systems: A North Carolina Consumers Guide
Published by the US Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Danish Wind Industry Association
The Danish Wind Industry Association offers an excellent website, providing extensive technical details.