Advances in Small Wind

Scott Van Pelt, LEED GA

Tuesday February 22nd 2011

Presentation Overview

Brief History of Wind Power

How turbines work

Technical & Code Advances

Market Trends

Government & Financial Incentives

Conclusion & Questions
Brief History of Wind

Humans have harnessed the wind for power for centuries

Wind Power in the late 1900s

“ Silent Spring” is published – 1962

AWEA Forms
1974

NREL opens
1977

1st Wind farm opens in Crotched Mountain, NH.

1980
Modern Wind Industry
Global Installed Wind Power Capacity

*From Global Wind Energy Council

Modern Wind Industry

*From American Wind Energy Association

How Turbines Work
Types of Wind Turbines

Horizontal Axis Savonious Type Darrieus Type

Vertical Axis Vertical Axis
Design Considerations

Swept Area

“Siting”

Tower Height

Turbulence

Distance from Obstructions

Battery vs. Grid Tie

What Makes it “Small”
2 2

Per UL: Swept area < 200 m [250 ft ]
Output < 600 Volts

Per AWEA: Rated Output < 100kW

Per CSA: Rated Output < 50kW

Technology Advances

Venture Capital Funding is being invested in renewable
energy companies

The Federal Government is increasing spending on renewable

energy technology

Colleges & Universities are creating environmental &

renewable specific majors

Improved Siting theory & computer software

Advances to Building Codes

IEC 61400 Series Standards

American Wind Energy Association Standard

British Wind Energy Association Standard

UL Subject 6140 & Standard 1741

2011 NEC specifically references Grid-Tied small wind turbines

 Buyer’s Motivations

Greening their life

Green Marketing

Corporate Entities

LEED system

Return on Investment

Government Incentives

Economies of Scale
LEED Rating Systems

* Denotes maximum threshold and point value.

See Reference Guides for tiered % thresholds & point values.
Government Push for Renewable
Energy

Energy Policy Act of 2005: All utilities in the U.S. must allow
net metering

Feed-in-Tariffs: Non-utility producers of renewable energy are

paid a premium when they sell the energy back to the grid

Renewable Portfolio Standard: States mandate utilities

functioning in their jurisdiction must meet min % renewable
 Government Incentives

30% Federal Incentive

Substantial State Incentives Available

California: $3.00/watt*

Wisconsin: 25% of Cost*

Nevada: $3.00/watt*

*See www.dsireusa.org for Additional Information

Why Wind?

Wind can be installed almost anywhere

Wind has smaller footprint than solar

Cost of wind is 40% of solar*

“Hybrid” Systems

*American Wind Energy Association

Market Growth

Per AWEA
Conclusion

Public awareness of small wind turbines is
rising

Funding for research & development of turbine
technology is increasing

New building codes have made obtaining a
building permit easier

Small wind projects are eligible for government
financial incentives

The small wind industry is GROWING!
Thank You