Small Wind Site Assessment

Produced by the Institute for Sustainable Futures; UTS in partnership with the Alternative Technology Association and

TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute

This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Energy Efficiency Training Program

Copyright and disclaimer

 

The Office of Environment and Heritage and the State of NSW are pleased to allow this material to be used, reproduced and adapted, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged. 

 

The Office of Environment and Heritage has made all reasonable effort to ensure that the contents of this document are factual and free of error. However, the State of NSW and the Office of Environment and Heritage shall not be liable for any damage which may occur in relation to any person taking action or not on the basis of this document.

 

Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet

Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard)

Email: info@environment.nsw.gov.au

Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

2

Small wind site assessment course

Introduction

NSW Energy Efficiency Training Program

Slide 4

This project has been supported by the NSW Government as part of the Energy Efficiency Training Program.

The Program is a joint initiative between the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and Department of Education and Training NSW.

It is part of the NSW Government’s $150 million Energy Efficiency Strategy.

Visit savepower.nsw.gov.au

Introduction

Slide 5

Who are we?

Who are you?

Ground rules and expectations• phones and laptops• attendance• questions and discussion anytime

Workshop Overview and Timeline

Slide 6

Start and end timesLunch, and breaks (Please let us know if you need a break!)BathroomsSurvey today before morning teaBrief topic feedback forms

Pre-course survey results

Slide 7

• Previous training in small wind site assessments?o a quarter

• Level of awareness of effective ways to conduct small wind turbine site assessments?o 2 – somewhat aware

• Do you currently conduct small wind site assessments?: o a quarter

• Primary reasons for attending:o Knowledge/skills/rigour/efficiency/tools for site assessment

processo Learn more about wind resource assessmento Industry standards/technical informationo CEC accreditation

Workshop Materials

Slide 8

Learner Guide• course outline• powerpoint presentations• reference materials• site assessment template

Expect handouts as we go, and possible updates in future as we refine the course after this pilot

You’ll need it each day of the course

You get to keep it so scribble away

House keeping

Slide 9

• Sign-in sheet

• Do we have your consent forms?

Small wind site assessment course

Course context

Current and future industry requirements

11

Key StakeholdersKey Stakeholders

Office of the Renewable Energy Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator requirementsRegulator requirements

Slide 12

•That all Small Generator Units are installed by Clean Energy Council accredited installers to be able to claim deemed STCs•As of December 2010 this includes small scale wind (up to 10kW)

Clean Energy Council requirementsClean Energy Council requirements

Slide 13

• $5M public liability insurance (Australian)

• Be bound by, and comply with, the CEC Code of

Conduct in the installation of the SGU

• Ensure that the installation has all applicable local

and state/territory Government approval

requirements

• Ensure that the SGU and its installation, including

wiring, meets relevant Australian and International

Standards, and that key components are listed on

the Clean Energy Council’s list of approved

products.

Clean Energy Council requirementsClean Energy Council requirements

Slide 14

• Ensure that the mounting and orientation of the SGU are in line with the Clean Energy Council accreditation requirements.• Supply all relevant documentation to certify correct installation of the SGU.• Comply with the Regulated requirements for installation of the SGU, by signing suitable compliance paperwork.• Hold relevant EE-Oz units of competency to design and install small wind turbines

EE-Oz requirementsEE-Oz requirements

Slide 15

•UEE07 Training PackageInstall small wind energy conversion systems for stand-alone applicationsSolve basic problems in wind energy conversion systemsDesign wind energy conversion systems up to 10kWEach have a number of different prerequisites

•UEE11 Training Package coming soon

Small wind site assessment course:

What is a “small wind site assessment”?

Purpose

Slide 17

Systematically investigate a site for the suitability of a small wind system

Allow a client to make an informed decision

Approaches

Slide 18

1.The wet finger approach

1.Gather wind speed data and check for the distance to the airport

1.Systematic investigation of the important considerations

Approach and Documentation

Slide 19

1. The wet finger approach

1. Gather wind speed data

1. Systematic investigation

1. Quote

1. One page summary of wind speed and expected wind turbine performance

1. Independent site report for client

Documentation and Risk

Slide 20

High risk: under-performing system and potentially harmful to the industry

1. Quote

1. One page summary

1. Independent site report for client

Not an exact science but the risk is significantly reduced

Audience for report

• Homeowner or potential client• Installer• Small scale technology certificates

(STCs)• Permitting and zoning• Lending agency• Neighbours• Perhaps an attorney representing an

irate neighbourSlide 21

Site Assessment Trends

Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)

Site Assessment Trends North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)

Slide 23

Small Wind Site Assessment Process

Tools for Site Assessment Report

Template Supplement Examples

Slide 25

Site Assessment Template

Slide 26

Site Assessment Supplement

1. Wind basics

2. Turbulence/terrain

3. Wind system siting considerations

4. Wind resources

5. System towers

6. Minimum tower height

7. Turbine types

8. Economics/costs

9. NSW small wind planning provisions

Slide 27

Example Reports

Slide 28

Outcomes• Site assessments are a lot of work,

• And are not an exact science, but…

• Lead to thoroughly and properly considered sites

• Presentation of findings in an independent report

• Client makes informed decision, which leads to turbines performing as expected (usually)

Slide 29

Small wind site assessment course

Why buy a wind turbine?

Understanding customer motivations

Why buy a wind turbine? Why buy a wind turbine?

Slide 31

• Divide into four groups• List as many answers as you can

to question one (3 mins limit)• List as many answers as you can

to question two (3 mins limit)• Compare answer and score like

Scattergories