Small Wind Turbines

1. Small Wind Turbines • Configuration:2 or 3 blades, aimed into the wind by the tail • Blades:Fiber-reinforced plastics • Overspeed Protection:Furling (rotor turns out of the wind), no brakes • Generator:Direct-drive, permanent magnet alternator (no brushes), 3-phase AC, variable-speed operation • Controller: Electronic device that delivers - DC power for battery-charging- AC power for utility connection • Result:– Simple, rugged design– Only 2–4 moving parts– Little regular maintenance required Bergey EXCEL, 10 kW

2. Off-GridWind Water-Pumping • Ranch near Wheeler, TX • Water-pumping for 120 headof cattle • Whisper 1000 wind turbine, 1 kW, 9 ft rotor, 30 ft tower New vs. Old Same Function New Look

3. Case Study:Off-Grid Stock Tank Heating with Wind • University of Wyoming • Bergey Windpower 1500 wind turbine, 1500 W, 10 ft rotor

4. Know your ResourceQuality Wind Data is Important • All of your analysis must be based on collected data • People’s perception of “windy” is not good enough for a wind power project • Difference between wind “prospecting” and development • Collect initial data from multiple sources (i.e. talk to people, look for existing data, look at wind maps, use own experience, etc.) • Look at lay of the land, prevailing wind direction, vegetation (flagged trees, etc.) • Decide what type of wind data tower will work best for what you are planning (10 to 50 meters, number & type of instruments, cost, permits, etc.)

5. Look like a windy area, What about your site?

6. Another windy area

7. Anemometer tower installation

8. Data Analysis Considerations • There are many factors to address in data analysis • Quality of data (any icing, etc.) • Is correlation with other sites possible • Elevation • Weather/temperature • Scaling to different heights (wind shear, turbulence) • Turbine sizes/types/manufacturers being considered • Where does the majority of the wind come from

9. Assessing Wind Resources – An Example The Critical Next Step Capacity Factor is Key Element

10. Easy Access to High Voltage Power Line - a Key Resource

11. Wind Energy Environmental Impacts • Air Emissions (None!) • Avian Issues • Visual Impact • Noise • Electromagnetic Interference • Land Use • Flora and Fauna • Safety

12. Zoning for A Wind Farms • Tall towers often require a “special use review” by the county commissioners • Zoning issues include noise, obstruction of views, safety, and setbacks • Zoning approval may be difficult due to Defense and Government concerns • DOD approach Paths • Visual Issues must be addressed • Renewable Energy Portfolio a strong incentive • Farm covers small areas

13. DOD Training Routes, an Example

14. Is Wind Energy Practical for Nevada? • You have a good wind resource • You have rural acreage • Will your local zoning ordinances or neighborhood covenants allow wind turbines? • Create long term revenue, taxes, and local jobs • Easy access to at least 50 MW of electrical power lines for large installations • A long term investment! • Can easily grow into a pumped storage system to firm power • Can co-exist with mining operations Yes? Then let’s go and develop Rural Nevada!

15. Questions?Gary Seifert EE PE208-521-8385gary.seifert@inl.govKurt Myers MSEE208-521-1108kurt.myers@inl.govhttp://energy.inl.gov/powersystems/wind/