How much energy will Kingdom Community Wind produce?
The wind farm being considered in Lowell, Vermont, holds the potential to meet the annual electrical needs of approximately 20,000 average households, that’s about 48,000 Vermonters! By harnessing the power of the wind locally, KCW will keep more of our electric dollars local and will contribute to stabilizing electric prices for generations to come. Kingdom Community Wind will help reduce the need to import power and will reduce pollution in our wider community.
Where will the electricity go?
Green Mountain Power (GMP) and Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) are evaluating the benefits of partnering in this local Vermont renewable generation project. Both are focused on adding clean, new renewable energy sources to their power portfolio and are very interested in securing a reliable, long-term electrical supply to help bring price stability to generations of their Vermont members/customers. By working with Vermont owners, KCW wind hopes to be part of the trend towards Vermonters controlling more of their generation sources!
How does wind, as a generation source, integrate into our electric grid?
Vermont is part of the New England electric power grid known as ISO New England (ISO-NE, more information at www.iso-ne.com), which is comprised of many types of generators: nuclear, coal, hydro, wind, biomass - and especially natural gas (+/- 40%). The grid is designed to handle varying electric loads and various types of generation facilities supplying the electricity. Operation forecasting monitors weather conditions, total expected generation, and projected actions required to maintain system reliability. Grid operators are aware of the changing generating sources whether it be a large nuclear plant, or a smaller wind facility and are prepared to interchange various “quick-start” generation sources, such as natural gas and hydro plants when needed. Wind is grouped with other on-demand sources of electricity, meaning when available it will be utilized.
How much pollution will be displaced or otherwise prevented?
Due to the complex nature of the regional electric grid and the rules under which it operates, it is nearly impossible to forecast the exact amount of pollution KCW will prevent, as the source of generation displaced by KCW will vary from time to time. On average the American Wind Energy Association has estimated that each megawatt of wind capacity built displaces 1,800 tons of C02 per year given the current mix of generation fuels, indicating that on average a 42 megawatt KCW facility would displace over 75,000 tons of C02 per year. On a larger scale, the US Department of Energy has estimated that meeting 20% of the country’s electrical needs with wind could “reduce the electrical sector’s natural gas requirements by about 50% and its coal requirements by about 18%” - which translates into avoiding up to 825 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, along with a multitude of other pollutants.
How often do turbines generate electricity?
Typical wind turbines being evaluated for use at Kingdom Community Wind are designed to generate electricity in a range of wind speeds from 9 mph to 45 mph. Preliminary wind resource data gathered at the KCW site indicate turbines will generate electricity [approximately or over] 80% of the time. This is a different metric than a wind farm’s capacity factor, which compares the actual energy production over the course of a year with the amount that would have been produced had the wind farm run at maximum output over the course of the year.
What is “capacity factor” and how productive do you expect the wind turbines to be?
Capacity factor is a measure of the productivity of power generation facilities. Capacity factor compares the actual production over the course of a year with the amount that would have been produced had the facility run at maximum output over the course of the year. This is expressed as a percentage. Depending upon the wind turbine selected, KCW expects a capacity factor of 25% to 38%. For purposes of comparison, the 2003 Vermont Renewable Power Supply Acquisition Authority Report indicates the TransCanada Deerfield and Connecticut River Dams have a 27% capacity factor. While some facilities operate at capacity factors upwards of 85% in the New England electrical grid, there are others with less than 1% capacity factors. With wind generation, the size of the rotor and the size of the electric generator are important in these calculations. A large rotor with a small generator would see the wind turbine operating whenever the wind blew, and would record a high capacity factor, however it would produce little electricity because of the small generator size. Capacity factor is not a measure of the efficiency of a wind turbine.
Will the wind turbines have lights on them?
Yes, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will determine the number of lights needed for Kingdom Community Wind if and when an actual development is proposed. Generally we would expect lights to be required at each end of the turbine array, with a light approximately every 1/2 mile in between – so a wind farm along three miles of ridgeline could be expected to require approximately seven lights (but this cannot be determined until the model and location of each turbine is proposed). The Federal regulated safety lighting used will typically be mounted on the top of the nacelle (housing enclosing the generator) of those wind turbines requiring a light, and it is possible that the FAA will allow the use of lights that are less visible from lower elevations (for example, that are surrounded by shields that block their visibility from certain angles).
The term “shadow flicker” is used to describe a moving shadow that can occur in certain conditions when rotating turbine blades come between the viewer and the sun. This effect is usually confined to areas immediately proximate to the turbines, and even there occurs only a fraction of the time. As part of the permitting process, once the turbines and their locations are indentified, a shadow flicker analysis will be conducted.
What sound do wind turbines make and will I hear it?
There are two kinds of sound associated with the operation of wind turbine generation: i) the sound of the wind passing by the blades and ii) in older, less insulated equipment, sound from the generator. Thanks to advances in wind turbine technology, at distances of 350 meters, or 1,140 feet, away, the US Department of Energy says modern turbines "registered just about a quiet bedroom for sound level at 35 to 45 decibels", which compares to about 40 decibels for a rural night-time background. There are very few homes or camps less than 3,000 feet away from the proposed turbine locations, but we will collect existing ambient sound conditions in and around the Project later this year and that information will be available to all. Once the turbines and their locations are identified, the sound data will be incorporated into modeling that will look at the effect of the wind turbines.
What environmental impacts will result from the installation of Kingdom Community Wind?
Initial assessments have not identified any rare, threatened or endangered species in the boundaries of the project lands. However, expert consultants are being retained to assess a wider variety of environmental attributes including natural communities, wildlife and wildlife habitats, sound, cultural and archeological resources and visual resources. Data gathering and studies will continue throughout 2009, and we will be working closely with the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources in this process.
Will Kingdom Community Wind stop recreational use surrounding the wind turbines?
Kingdom Community Wind is being proposed on private land. Access to the area is restricted at the landowner’s discretion. Typically at wind power projects, recreational use such as hunting can continue if allowed by the landowner.
Will the wind turbines shed ice during winter storms?
Ice throw from wind turbines blades is relatively uncommon. When ice or glazing does form on turbine components, it normally drops to the ground landing in the vicinity of the base of the wind turbine tower. The risk of damage from falling ice is minimized by the employment of technology to control the turbine’s operation. The wind turbines at this site are remote from residences and buildings, making the likelihood of ice-related damage to personal property negligible.
Will there be a new high-voltage power line on the site?
The electricity generated by the wind turbines will be collected underground along the ridgeline, transmitted on a single-poled overhead collection line down the mountain and north along Rt 100 to an existing substation at the intersection of Rt. 100 and Rt. 58 in Lowell village, where it will interconnect with the existing regional power grid. We anticipate the use of a 34 Kv line to reach the substation, which for purposes of comparison is the size of the VEC line presently running along Rt. 100 between Lowell and Jay.
Will the wind turbines be fenced or secured from public access?
Wind turbines are not typically fenced and since the property on which the turbines are located is private, any access road will be gated. Due to normal safety precautions, access into the wind turbines themselves, and where operational controls are located, is secure to prevent unauthorized access and provide public safety.
Will there be increased traffic in the area associated with Kingdom Community Wind?
Kingdom Community Wind will have a negligible impact on traffic during its operating life, although areas around wind farms elsewhere have reported slight increases in tourism-related traffic. During the construction period, there will be increased traffic and localized traffic delays during delivery of the turbines and construction materials. Plans for construction truck routes and frequency of deliveries have not been developed at this time. The wind farm will utilize typical service pick-up trucks for routine maintenance access.
How will the wind farm be accessed?
KCW has secured access rights directly off of Rt. 100 in Lowell to the 1800 acre parcel where the wind farm will be located. This property has been heavily logged for generations, providing an established network of roads that will be utilized to the maximum extent possible. Engineering analysis is presently ongoing, which once complete, will be combined with the results of the environmental studies and input from state agencies such as the Agency of Natural Resources to determine the best access route. The appearance and size of the access road will be typical of the many gravel roads already existing around Lowell and the surrounding towns.
Will my property value be affected?
There is no evidence from multiple studies of property sales transactions that wind farms within the viewshed have any systematic impact on property values, although in some cases there is evidence that the values actually increased relative to surrounding areas with no view of the turbines. The conclusion that wind farms do not harm property values was reaffirmed in a 2006 study that quantified the distance from the nearest turbine and the degree to which it was visible. The study reaffirmed this conclusion even when concentrating on homes that sold near the facility or those with a prominent view of the turbines.
What is the expected life of Kingdom Community Wind?
The current generation of wind turbines has a useful life expectancy of 25 years. If the project is repowered after that time, our utility partners have the exclusive option to continue generation, ensuring that KCW will continue to benefit generations of Vermonters.
Is there a plan for taking down the wind turbines once the life of Kingdom Community Wind is over?
As part of the development and permitting processes, a decommissioning plan will be prepared, which will include the removal of above-ground equipment and site restoration in the event that power generation no longer occurs.
What is known about the interaction of wind turbines and bats?
Bat collision mortality is known to occur at operating wind farms. The Bat Wind Energy Cooperative (www.batandwind.org), or BWEC, made up of representatives from Bat Conservation International, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the US Department of Energy, and wind energy companies is investigating the cause of bat collisions. Research focuses on areas to address concerns regarding bats and wind energy: i) pre-construction monitoring assesses bat activity levels; ii) post-construction studies estimate fatalities, compare fatality estimates among facilities, and determine patterns of fatality in relation to weather and habitat variables. This multi-dimensional approach will shape future research and determine what data collection and assessments specific to KCW are needed. Migratory bat assessments at KCW are occuring in 2009.
What is known about the interaction of wind turbines and birds?
According to the US Department of Energy, wind energy’s impacts are “quite small”. Out of every 10,000 birds killed by all human activity, 0.75 deaths were associated with wind turbines. By comparison, household cats were responsible for 1,000 deaths. Birds are a concern that will be investigated relative to the potential wind turbine locations, and various studies will be conducted as part of the KCW development and permitting process to determine if they pose any cause for concern.
How does a wind turbine make electricity?
Typical wind turbines consist of three rotor blades (rotor assembly), which rotate around a horizontal hub. The hub is connected to a shaft, gearbox and generator, which are located inside the nacelle. The nacelle is the large part at the top of the tower where the electrical components are located. Most wind turbines have three blades which face into the wind so that when the wind blows, it forces the blades to rotate, spinning the shaft and in turn the generator. A generator is a machine that produces electrical energy from mechanical energy, as opposed to an electric motor which does the opposite.
How big will the wind turbines be?
The newest technology wind turbines stand approximately 390 to 440 feet from ground level to the tip of the rotor blade in its highest position. Each of the wind turbines KCW is considering, whether they be rated to produce 1.5 megawatts or 3 megawatts, are approximately the same physical size - the main difference relates to the capacity of the generator. The nacelle, which sits atop the support tower, houses the electrical components, and is at the center of the rotor blade assembly, will be approximately 262 feet above ground level.
What are the benefits of Kingdom Community Wind?
In addition to generating carbon and emission free electricity and helping stabilize electric prices for generations of Vermonters, Kingdom Community Wind will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars annually towards Vermont’s education fund and Lowell’s municipal budget. Substantially reduced property taxes will be enjoyed by Lowell taxpayers (assuming town spending stays consistent with previous years), as Kingdom Community Wind would place minimal, if any, additional demand on town services such as schools and emergency services.
Kingdom Community Wind will generate and deliver clean energy to the local power grid, reducing the need for energy generation from other sources. This means cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Why do we need to build wind turbines on ridgelines? Why not put them at lower elevations closer to population centers?
Wind turbines need to be located where the wind is, as each incremental increase in wind speed results in an exponential increase in a turbine’s electrical output. The simple fact is that in Vermont the wind speeds are higher, and more consistent, at the higher elevations.