Wind Energy in NYS: Need and Siting Issues
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Wind Energy in NYS: Need and Siting Issues Richard C. Smardon, Ph.D. SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, NY rsmardon@esf.edu Climate Change Seminar September 18, 2008 Wind Energy in NYS Introduction Renewable energy policy in NYS Wind farm siting issues Two recent siting case studies Cape Wind Massachusetts Fenner, New York Local wind turbine siting & ordinances Wind Energy in New York So why do we need wind energy? What are renewable energy sources? What is state energy policy? What are people concerned about in siting wind turbines? LINKS: Wind Power New York Initiative State Summary: Total MW = 48.55* Planned MW = 489.9* Wind Energy Potential: Average Power Output (MW): 7,080 Annual kWh: 62 Billion Rank in US: 15th** Updated: Jun 23, 2005 New York State Wind Energy Development Existing Project or Area Owner Date Online MW Power Purchaser/ User Turbines/ Units Madison Windpower PG&E National Energy Group Sept 2000 11.55 Merchant plant Vestas (7) Wethersfield, Wyoming County CHI Energy Oct 2000 6.6 Niagara Mohawk Vestas (10) Fenner Wind Power Project CHI Energy Dec 2001 30.0 NY Power Pool Enron TZ 1.5 (20) Calverton Long Island Power Authority 2002 0.05 Long Island Power Authority AOC 15/50 (1) Lorax-Energy Near Rochester Harbeck Plastics 2002 0.25 Harbeck Plastics Fuhrlaender 250 (1) Long Island South Holt 2005 0.1 Long Island Power Authority AOC 50 kW (2) Planned Wind Projects in New York Average Power Output (MW): 7,080Annual kWh: 62 Billion Rank in US: 15th** Updated: Jun 23, 2005 New York State Wind Energy Development Existing Project or Area MW Owner Date Online Power Purchaser/ User Turbines/ PG&E National Energy Group Vestas (7) CHI Energy Oct 2000 Vestas (10) CHI Energy Dec 2001 Enron TZ 1.5 (20) Long Island Power Authority AOC 15/50 (1) Sept 2000 11.55 6.6 Niagara Moha 30.0 NY Power Po 2002 0.05 0.25 Harbeck Plas Units Madison Windpower Wethersfield, Wyoming County Fenner Wind Power Project Calverton Power Authority Lorax-Energy Near Rochester Long Island South Holt Harbeck Plastics 2002 Fuhrlaender 250 (1) 2005 0.1 Long Island Power Authority Location Status Planned Wind Projects in New York Project Utility/Developer On Line By / MW Capacit Turbines Maple Ridge Wind Farm Martinsburg, and Harrisburg, NY 2005/ Vestas 1650kW (120) Windfarm Prattsburgh Yates Counties, NY Chautauqua Windpower PPM Atlantic Renewable & Zilkha Renewable Energy Under construction 198 UPC Wind Partners/ Global Winds Harvest, Inc./ Natsource NYPA selected for PPA 100.5 2005/ 1500kW Chautauqua Windpower (subsidiary of Jasper Energy) NYPA selected for PPA 51 2005/ 1500kW NYS Energy Policy Renewable Portfolio Standard NYS currently has 19.3% renewables - mostly hydro-electric Need to get to 25% by 2013 with mostly wind , fuel cells, photo-voltaic & biomass energy Executive Order 111-25% for agencies Price and supply of hydrocarbon fuels Going up and limited long term supply Global warming or regional climate change Why Wind Energy? We have lots of windy places -coastal & inland Need constant wind speed of 13 mph+ Need places to tie into the electric grid Need markets for wind energy Wind Energy in New York Average wind speed categories for New York State from national wind atlas Usually need category 3 and above Guidance for Wind Farms NYS NYSERDA guidance for wind farm development Primarily for large wind turbines & commercial applications Wind Energy Basic Steps Benefits of wind energy for rural development and tax base Basic steps for wind energy development process in NYS Wind Farm Siting issues Land use compatibility Open fields Bird migration Noise Depends on blade speed Landscape aesthetics The”real” issue Key web sites http://www.windpowering america.gov/ http://www.awea.org/ http://www.nationalwind.o rg/ http://www.nrel.gov/clean _energy/wind.html http://www.windustry.com http://www.eren.doe.gov/ wind/ http://homepower.com Wind turbine flicker/shadow Cape Wind, Massachusetts Between Cape Cod & Nantucket Offshore wind turbines Very contentious Major issue was off shore views Shallow Water Alternatives Nantucket Sound, MA Deeper Water Alternative South of Tuckernuck Island, MA Combined Locations New Bedford, MA Nantucket Sound, MA Cape Wind Simulations CAPE WIND VIA REVIEW Mitigation measures Contrast reduction Height/size reduction Turbine density/group configuration Distance from shore Turbine structure color/value Night lighting impact reduction Interpretive sites Key Sources:Engstom & Pershagon 1980, Ferber 1977, Thayer & Freeman 1987, Wagstaff & Brady et al 1982, Therkelson et al 1980 Madison County,NY In Fenner, NY Limited number of wind turbines Located on a high ridge top In the middle of farmer’s fields Madison County, NY Aesthetic impact Not noticeable until you are at the highest elevation on Fenner Road. Fit into the rolling countryside and surrounding vegetation Night-lighting will be very obvious Wind turbine model ordinances NYS Fenner example Zoning map & districts Special permit Site plan review Additional standards Additional supporting data Other examples in NYSERDA document Local Wind Turbine Ordinances Basic definitions for local ordinances Purpose(s) of local ordinance Jurisdiction & Review Procedure Setback conditions Height restrictions vs. specifications Turbine sound issues Visual impact issues Local building code / aviation safety Utility connection & access Abandonment requirements Wind Power in New York Summary We need renewable energy in NYS Wind energy is a major renewable source There will be siting issues for certain locations for both offshore and inland sites There are limited mitigation options for visual landscape impacts and other siting issues Perception of wind turbines fit in the landscape is key! Future Steps in Renewables Coordination between NYS agencies and organizations NYS campuses explore energy policy alternatives in 2003 Need to explore renewable energy alternatives & pricing
