Wind Energy Myths and Facts

1. Wind Energy Myths and Facts Brian Antonich Windustry Program Analyst Great Lakes Regional Wind Institute Webinar #1 – Windy Landowner Education September 13th, 2007

2. Wind Energy Potential20% Plan From the U.S. DOE • 20% of the nation’s electrical needs can be provided by wind! Currently the US supplies just under 1% of it’s electrical energy needs from wind

3. Radar and Wind Turbines

5. Additional InformationWind and Radar • Wind projects close to operating radar sites • F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming – two 660-kW turbines http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/ms/msp/center/Vol11No3/10.asp • U.S. Navy at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – four 950-kW turbines http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2005/20050329_342.html • U.S. Air Force Space Command on Ascension Island – four 225-kW and two 900-kW turbines http://www.inl.gov/powersystems/ascension_island.shtml • U.S. Navy at San Clemente Island Base – three 225-kW turbines http://www.nelp.navy.mil/pdf_cases/Conservation_Wind_Power_SCI.pdf • Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts – near Hull, MA turbines http://www.ceere.org/rerl/publications/whitepapers/AWEA_Hull_2003.pdf • Experts and resources • Gary Seifert – Idaho National Laboratory – Presentation on Wind Radar Interference http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/workshops/2006_summit/seifert.pdf • Laurie Jodziewicz – Communications and Policy Specialist – American Wind Energy Association

6. Wind Energy andAscetics/Property Values • Concerns brought up at public hearings • Important to understand the underlying issues: • property values, • perceived public health risks, • visual nuisance, • or money • Land use plays a large factor • Agriculture – traditionally low opposition • Forested – wildlife impacts • Mountain top – strong visual concerns • Recreational – property values and visual concerns • Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

7. Proper Siting Can Balance a Wind Projects Visual Impact • Communities can develop policies to safely and appropriately site projects based on community values and appropriate use of wind systems

8. Excellent ResourcesWind Project Siting Issues • Siting and Permitting Publications National Wind Coordinating Collaborative • http://www.nationalwind.org/publications/siting.htm • Ryan Wiser – Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory Do Wind Facilities Affect Local Property Values? • http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/workshops/2007_summit/wiser.pdf

9. Wind Energy and Sound • Wind systems are typically sited in windy areas where the sound of the wind generally masks noise from the machines. Chart shows noise from wind turbine at approximately 1,000 feet from the machine.

10. Wind Energy and Sound Today's turbines are much quieter than older technology. • Sound proofing of nacelle • More efficient blades • Quieter gear boxes • Slower moving rotors Gearbox and generator in a 1.65 MW wind turbine owned by Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa.

11. Excellent ResourcesWind Energy and Sound • British Wind Energy Association • Noise From Wind Turbines The facts: http://www.britishwindenergy.co.uk/ref/noise.html • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency • A Guide to Noise Control in Minnesota: Acoustical Properties, Measurements, Analysis, Regulation http://proteus.pca.state.mn.us/waste/pubs/noise.pdf • Wind Turbine Manufactures • Provide sound emission information for turbines: http://www.windustry.org/your-wind-project/wind-energy-companies/wind-energy-companies

12. Wind Turbines and Safety • Epileptic Seizures: Modern wind turbine blades generally rotate between 10-22 rpm, which is slow.  Epileptic seizures for photosensitive people are triggered by rates of 5 to 30 flashes per second.  The blades of today's wind turbines do not spin quickly enough to cause seizures. At maximum rotational speed, there would be a little more than 1 flash per second. For more information about photosensitivity and epilepsy visit the Epilepsy Foundation’s website: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/types/triggers/photosensitivity.cfm

13. Wind Turbines and Safety • Ice Throw: “Ice throw, while it can occur under certain conditions, is of little danger. Setbacks typically used to minimize noise are sufficient to protect against danger to the public. In addition, ice buildup slows a turbine's rotation and will be sensed by a turbine's control system, causing the turbine to shut down.” Source: American Wind Energy Association – Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf

14. Spirit Lake, Iowa Wind Turbines and Safety • Blade Throw: “Blade throws were common in the industry's early years, but are unheard-of today because of better turbine design and engineering…. There are thousands of turbines installed in Europe and…in the U.S. - wind turbine standards ensure a high level of operational reliability and safety in the U.S. and worldwide.” Source: American Wind Energy Association Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf

15. Wind EnergyAvian Impacts “Significant expansion of renewable energy sources such as wind power is needed to reduce pollution from fossil fuels and address global warming…[t]o protect birds, wildlife, and habitat from global warming[.] Fossil fuel power plants account for more than one third of the carbon dioxide emitted by the United States.” Mike Daulton Director of Conservation Policy, National Audubon Society Erickson, et al, 2002, A Summary and Comparison of Bird Mortality from Anthropogenic Causes with and Emphasis on Collisions http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf

16. Wind Turbines and Bats • Wildlife experts are perplexed about the cause of bat fatalities inflicted by wind turbines. • The National Wind Coordinating Collaborative is actively studying the issue. • For more information about the efforts to understand this problem and other wind/wildlife issues visit the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup website: • http://www.nationalwind.org/workgroups/wildlife/ Photos of Bats: Edward B. Arnett Bat Conservation International

17. Cost of Wind Energy • Wind energy typically offsets higher cost natural gas fired peaking plants. • Large penetrations of wind complement hydro electric dams in the NW very well.

18. Cost of Wind Energy Source: US Department of Energy: Annual Report of U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost and Performance Trends:2006 http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41435.pdf

19. Cost of Wind Energy Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Annual Report of U.S. Wind Power Installation, Cost and Performance Trends:2006 http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy07osti/41435.pdf

20. Cost of Wind EnergyMinnesota Wind Integration Study Full study report and results of other U.S. Wind Integration Studies can be found by visiting the Utility Wind Integration Group Website:http://www.uwig.org/

21. Wind Energy and Subsidies • Every energy technology is subsidized. Wind energy is no exception. Wind receives a tax credit that provides an inflation-adjusted 1.5 cents for each kilowatt-hour generated, over the first ten years of the project. This credit reduces the tax liability of a wind farm, but is not a subsidy of public money flowing to the wind farm owner. • Subsidies that other energy sources receive: • tax deductions • loan guarantees • liability insurance • leasing of public lands at below market prices. • Additional indirect subsidies include federal money for research and development programs and policy provisions in federal legislation. Source: American Wind Energy Association – Wind Energy Myths vs. Facts http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets/050629_Myths_vs_Facts_Fact_Sheet.pdf

22. Thanks and Questions? Brian Antonich Windustry Program Analyst Brian’s email: brian@windustry.org Phone: 612-870-3465 www.windustry.org