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Interconnection processes differ depending on the project size and the utility, so it is important to begin researching and planning early. All costs associated with the required interconnection studies are the responsibility of the project developer and not the local utility.
Upgrades associated with projects that are interconnected through the high-voltage distribution system can typically receive transmission credits for network upgrades.
Distribution network-connected projects do not typically qualify for this credit. Often systems below a certain size have simpler rules for interconnection, so understanding the utility's regulations is crucial. It can also help determine the interconnection costs and how they will affect the overall project economics.
One- or two-turbine projects can connect at a distribution-level voltage In this situation, a large community wind project will need the necessary equipment to "step up" the voltage level at the base of the turbine prior to connecting to the distribution-level voltage line.
This typically includes a step-up transformer and other appropriately sized collection system components. A substation is a facility that contains equipment utilized to switch, change, or regulate electric voltage. Substations are also where revenue grade meters are installed to determine financial compensation. It is important to note that projects in excess of 10 MW will probably have to connect to higher-voltage above 69 kV lines because they require more electrical capacity than distribution voltage lines can provide.
Interconnection applications can be found on a utility's website and may require additional fees. In most cases, the "fee" is considered an estimated cost of the study paid up-front by the developer , but note that an additional invoice could be forthcoming if the study costs exceed this estimate.
Information needed to complete an interconnection request includes:. The initial interconnection feasibility study provides a high-level analysis of whether a project is viable at a point of entry into the grid. The feasibility study also examines how the proposed facility will interact with other facilities that are currently, or will soon be, connected to the grid.
The feasibility study will also require a cost estimate that will take into account the generator type, size, and potential impacts based on interconnection standards and criteria. If the feasibility study reveals no negative impacts, the utility may provide an interconnection agreement without requiring any additional steps.
System impact studies further detail electric system impacts from the proposed project, including how it may affect reliability. A detailed system impact study can consist of analyses of potential effects including power flow, short-circuit conditions, voltage drop and flicker, protection and control coordination, and grounding.
Results of the system impact study will include an introductory indication of the cost and amount of time that would be required to repair any identified issues. The final step before an interconnection agreement can be completed is the interconnection facilities study.
The interconnection facilities study identifies the necessary equipment, engineering, procurement, and construction work to connect the large community wind project to the grid. The study will include all necessary equipment, estimates of the full interconnection cost, and the time required to complete the construction.
Optional studies can be conducted to determine what impacts, additional system costs, and potential benefits will result from alternate system configurations. Like the other studies, optional studies will involve an initial meeting and a financial deposit for the study. Costs and payment schedule will depend on the extent and estimated costs of conducting the study. The interconnection agreement is the last step required prior to installing your turbine and officially interconnecting to the local utility's distribution line.
The agreement finalizes payment details for the necessary system upgrades that were noted in the previous interconnection studies and may include operations and maintenance fees. Completion of all interconnection studies and signing the large generator interconnection agreement only gives you the right to interconnect, not to transmit electrons.
Projects may have to go through a transmission service process if the development connects to one utility's line but sells the power to a different utility. In this scenario, it is important to understand which party buyer or seller is responsible for obtaining necessary transmission rights.
PPAs are contracts between energy producers such as large community wind farms and buyers utilities or other large consumers that specify transaction details, including the amount of electricity to be delivered and the price that will be paid for the energy produced.
The term is usually between 15 and 25 years. Other details that are often included in a PPA are curtailment agreements, transmission specifics, schedule milestones, delay damages, insurance, and environmental attributes or credits. Windustry's Community Wind Toolbox includes a chapter dedicated to details that should be considered during the PPA process that can provide further insight into this integral step.
Officials or other local parties may pose questions while you navigate the permitting and zoning process for a large community wind project. Questions can pertain to project design, environmental impacts, natural and cultural resource impacts, setbacks, sound requirements, and overall aesthetics.
It is important to be prepared early in the development of your project to address concerns. A thorough understanding of local regulations can help ensure project success. Having an initial project design prior to beginning the permitting and zoning process will allow you to address potential concerns. The initial project design should include the locations of the proposed turbines and any associated equipment and the surrounding landscape, to include natural features and man-made structures.
Ordinances are legal requirements enacted by a municipal government like a city council , often found within municipal codes. Ordinances cover issues such as zoning, traffic, consumer protection, and building codes. A wind energy ordinance reflects local preferences regarding wind turbines within county or city limits and aids the development of safe facilities. Unless the established ordinances are particularly restrictive, it may be easier to install a project in a jurisdiction that has an ordinance as opposed to a location with no rules or general knowledge regarding wind energy.
Other components of wind energy ordinances can include regulations for setbacks, sound, and shadow flicker. Setbacks are standards defined to create space between areas of concern and the wind project. Common areas of concern include property lines, inhabited structures, public roads, as well as communication and electrical lines.
For example, setbacks from homes in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, are defined as five times the hub height while they are defined as four times the tower height in Woodford County, Illinois.
Sound requirements create a standard maximum level of allowed sound due to the operation of wind systems. These standards often include a defined method of measuring sound level. Planning and siting are critical to minimizing noise impacts on host communities. An additional concern regarding the siting of a large community wind project is the potential impact from shadow flicker. Shadow flicker occurs when turbine blades cast shadows across the ground or buildings when the sun is low on the horizon.
It can be prevented, or at least minimized by utilizing proper setbacks. If you are installing a large community wind project in a location without a wind ordinance, it's possible that the local government will want to establish one prior to approving your installation. Model wind energy ordinances are available, and they can serve as guidelines for communities planning to establish a wind ordinance.
Some counties pass a wind ordinance that is so restrictive that no projects can be built; it essentially functions as a moratorium. As community planning and zoning authorities attempt to regulate safe and responsible projects, it is important to know the results of existing ordinances that are being used to develop local regulations.
Zoning is "a system of land use regulation that controls the physical development of land. Permitting is a process established by local authorities to control development, in this case how a wind turbine is installed, located, operated, and decommissioned. Permits are usually granted in accordance with the provisions of the ordinance regulating the development of wind systems.
Most jurisdictions with established wind ordinances allow turbines to be installed through permitted use, accessory use, or through a conditional use permit. The time required to acquire permits for a large community wind project can vary depending on the overall size of the project, whether the project is in a local or state jurisdiction, the established permitting process, results of pre-construction studies and surveys, as well as the community view of the project and other considerations.
It is essential to begin the permitting process early to understand the necessary steps required prior to investing time or money. It is highly recommended that a local attorney is engaged to assist in researching a complete list of permitting requirements and guide the project through the various processes.
Any project with a structure taller than feet, or one planned near airports or other aviation facilities, will require Federal Aviation Administration FAA permitting. The FAA offers a Department of Defense preliminary screening tool that allows developers to acquire a preliminary review of potential radar related impacts to prior to an official filing.
Properly gauging the impact on wildlife and the environment requires local expertise, including state fish and game agencies, federal wildlife agencies, wildlife or environmental experts from local universities, and other knowledgeable parties such as the state historical and preservation office. These organizations and individuals may help you save time and gather valuable information pertaining to the site-specific wind and wildlife impact and historical impact from your large community wind project.
It should be noted that environmental concerns are dependent on the types of plants and animals present at a specific site, as well as the design of the wind project.
During the permitting and zoning process, concerns regarding natural and cultural impacts could be expressed.
Speaking with the state historical preservation office or consulting the National Register of Historic Places can help you understand the potential cultural impacts associated with a location, whether a more in-depth study should be conducted, as well as what to do if any artifacts are encountered during construction. Project aesthetics play an integral role in how an installation will be received by the local public.
Signage, lighting, and the location of additional infrastructure can impact a community's perception of a wind project. To ease concerns, project developers should provide a visual representation of the proposed installation to show what the large community wind project will look like after construction is completed. Larger turbine components require special transportation and support vehicles and can only be transported on certain U.
Wind turbine blades longer than 53 m present a transportation obstacle due to the large turning radius, which hinders right of way or encroachment areas within corners or curves on roads and railways. Each state along a transportation route has different permit requirements. Once parts for the project begin to arrive, it might be necessary to have a designated temporary staging area. This space will be used to store components until they are needed for construction and can also be used to house construction management facilities.
A building permit or electrical permit [52] and driveway permit [53] may also be required for the project, which could add additional costs and time. Another issue that may be raised during the permitting process is the decommissioning of the project once it has exceeded its working lifetime.
The decommissioning of a project should be considered from the planning process and should include the dismantling of the turbine and the restoration of the site.
Some communities may stipulate that a project provide a bond or letter of credit that would cover the cost of decommissioning. Turbine selection and procurement rely on multiple project-specific factors, turbine availability, and whether manufacturers are willing to provide turbines for smaller projects. A variety of factors will influence turbine selection. Certain sites will require turbines with longer blades or higher towers to function properly with the consistent but low average wind speed at that location.
Other sites will require turbines that are designed to function in cold-weather regions. To better understand the type of turbine s that will be required for your large community wind project, it is important to understand the characteristics of your site, including the wind resource. Understanding how the site's characteristics will impact a project's performance and lifespan prior to finalizing your turbine selection is a vital step in the development process.
Turbine selection can also be influenced by how a project plans to interconnect into the distribution system. If developers are looking to minimize the cost for potential upgrades in order to interconnect, they may choose to develop a smaller wind project.
Most turbine manufacturers will require a deposit and a letter of credit for the remaining cost prior to accepting an order. The time between placing your deposit and turbine delivery can be more than a year, depending on the number of orders in the queue. North Dakota has more than 3, MW of wind energy capacity installed throughout the state, consisting of more than 1, wind turbines.
According to the U. Energy Information Administration, the national capacity factor in averaged Basin Electric Power Cooperative reports that its PrairieWinds 1 wind farm reached a 50 percent capacity factor in Capacity factor is the actual electricity output of a power generating facility, divided by the maximum output it could provide if it ran at full output percent of the time for a full year.
American Wind Energy Association.
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