small wind corn

8/8/2019 Small Wind Corn

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A Guide Produced for theAmerican Corn Growers Foundation

Small Wind Electric SystemsSmall Wind Electric Systems

U.S. Department of EnergyEnergy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program


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Small Wind Electric Systems

Cover photo:This AOC 15/50 wind turbine on a farm in Clarion, Iowa, saves the Clarion-Goldfield CommunitySchool about $9,000 per year on electrical purchase and provides a part of the school's science curriculum.Photo credit Robert Olson/PIX11649

A national survey of corn producers conducted by the American Corn Growers Foundation (ACGF)found a strong majority level of support among farmers on a range of important wind energy issues.The survey, conducted by Robinson and Muenster Associates, Inc. of Sioux Falls, South Dakota duringthe first half of April 2003, polled 511 farmers in the 14 states that represent 68.2 million acres, or 86%of the 79 million acres that will be planted to corn in 2003, based on the U.S.D.A. National AgriculturalStatistics Service. The ACGF random, scientific survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.4% at the 95%confidence level. The largest number of farmers surveyed was in Iowa, which represents 16% of theprospective 2003 corn plantings.

93.3% of nations corn producers support wind energy, 88.8% want farmers, industry and public

institutions to promote wind power as an alternative energy source and 87.5% want utility companies toaccept electricity from wind turbines in their power generation mix.

On federal-level issues, the survey shows that 82.2% of corn producers support the Energy Title in thefarm law and want to see that program continued and funded at the current $23 million level or greaterfor the purpose of renewable energy loans and grants.

77.9% believe farmers should be offered financial incentives such as production tax credits and astrong majority want to see such state-level incentives to encourage the development of wind energy.When provided the example of the wind energy incentives put in place by the Minnesota Legislature,the resulting expansion in the number of wind farms and then, when subsequently asked if other statelegislatures should follow Minnesotas lead and pass similar wind power incentives, 77.7% said yes.

The survey also found strong support on these national policy issues: 76.7% agreement on the need forthe country to be more energy independent for national security reasons and the belief that Congressand the Administration in Washington, DC should make a major commitment toward the promotion ofwind energy; 82.2% agree that rural electric cooperatives should help support and promote windenergy; and, 75.7% want federal action to encourage upgrading of existing electric transmission linesand construction of new lines as a farm-to-market road to deliver electricity from wind farms toconsumers.

Questions and Survey ResultsThe farm law that was passed in 2002 included and Energy Title for the first time. That programprovides 23 million dollars in loans and grants to farmers, ranchers and small business for the purposeof purchasing renewable energy systems, including wind turbines. Do you support continuing thisrenewable energy program with that amount or a greater level of funding for that same purpose?

Yes-82.2% No-8.6% Dont Know-9.2% Refused-0%

Do you support the development of wind energy?


Would you be willing to invest in wind power projects?


American Corn Growers Foundationmerican Corn Growers Foundation 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 911, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 835-0023, E-Mail: www.acgf.org

Survey results continued inside back cover.


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Is Wind Energy Practicalfor Me?A small wind energy system canprovide you with a practical andeconomical source of electricity if: your property has a good wind

resource your home or business is located on

at least one acre of land in a ruralarea your local zoning codes or

covenants allow wind turbines your average electricity bills are

$150 per month or more your property is in a remote

location that does not have easyaccess to utility lines

you are comfortable with long-terminvestments.

Zoning Issues

Before you invest in a wind energysystem, you should research potentialobstacles. Some jurisdictions, forexample, restrict the height of the

structures permitted in residentiallyzoned areas, although variances areoften obtainable. Most zoning ordi-nances have a height limit of 35 feet.You can find out about the zoningrestrictions in your area by callingthe local building inspector, board of supervisors, or planning board. Theycan tell you if you will need to obtain

a building permit and provide youwith a list of requirements.In addition to zoning issues, yourneighbors might object to a windmachine that blocks their view, orthey might be concerned about noise.Most zoning and aesthetic concernscan be addressed by supplying objec-tive data. For example, the ambientnoise level of most modern residentialwind turbines is around 52 to 55 deci- bels. This means that while the soundof the wind turbine can be picked outof surrounding noise if a consciouseffort is made to hear it, a residential-sized wind turbine is no noisier thanyour average refrigerator.

Small Wind Electric Systems 3

In Clover Valley,Minnesota, this3-kW WhisperH175 turbine on a50-foot tower isconnected to theutility grid to offsetthe farm's utility-supplied electricity.

W o r

l d P o w e r

T e c h n o

l o g y

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Although small wind turbines arevery sturdy machines, they do requiresome annual maintenance. Bolts andelectrical connections should bechecked and tightened if necessary.The machines should be checked forcorrosion and the guy wires forproper tension. In addition, youshould check for and replace any

worn leading edge tape on the blades,if appropriate. After 10 years, the blades or bearings may need to bereplaced, but with proper installationand maintenance, the machine shouldlast up to 20 years or longer.If you do not have the expertise tomaintain the machine, your installermay provide a service and mainte-nance program.

How Much Energy Will MySystem Generate?Most U.S. manufacturers rate theirturbines by the amount of power theycan safely produce at a particularwind speed, usually chosen between24 mph (10.5 m/s) and 36 mph(16 m/s). The following formulaillustrates factors that are importantto the performance of a wind turbine.Notice that the wind speed, V, has an

exponent of 3 applied to it. Thismeans that even a small increase inwind speed results in a large increasein power. That is why a taller towerwill increase the productivity of anywind turbine by giving it access tohigher wind speeds as shown in theWind Speeds Increase with Heightgraph. The formula for calculating

the power from a wind turbine is:Power = k Cp 1/2 A V3

Where:P = Power output, kilowattsCp = Maximum power coefficient,

ranging from 0.25 to 0.45,dimension less (theoreticalmaximum = 0.59)

= Air density, lb/ft3

A = Rotor swept area, ft2or D2/4 (D is the rotordiameter in ft, = 3.1416)

V = Wind speed, mphk = 0.000133 Aconstant to yield

power in kilowatts. (Multiplyingthe above kilowatt answer by1.340 converts it to horse-power. [i.e., 1 kW = 1.340horsepower]).


8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7Rotor Diameter, m

R o

t o r

D i a m e

t e r , m

Relative Size of Small Wind Turbines40

30

20

10

0

S w e p

t a r e a ,

m 2

7 m

6 m

5 m

4 m

3 m

2 m

1 m 0 2 9 7 9 3 0 3 m

Source: Paul Gipe,Wind Energy Basics


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Small Wind Electric Systems12


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and trees, and it needs to be 30 feetabove anything within 300 feet. Youalso need enough room to raise andlower the tower for maintenance, andif your tower is guyed, you mustallow room for the guy wires.Whether the system is stand-aloneor grid-connected, you will also need

to take the length of the wire run between the turbine and the load(house, batteries, water pumps, etc.)into consideration. A substantialamount of electricity can be lost as aresult of the wire resistancethelonger the wire run, the more electric-ity is lost. Using more or larger wirewill also increase your installationcost. Your wire run losses are greaterwhen you have direct current (DC)instead of alternating current (AC).So, if you have a long wire run, it isadvisable to invert DC to AC.

Can I Connect My Systemto the Utility Grid?Small wind energy systems can beconnected to the electricity distribu-tion system and are called grid-connected systems. Agrid-connectedwind turbine can reduce your con-sumption of utility-supplied electrici-ty for lighting, appliances, andelectric heat. If the turbine cannotdeliver the amount of energy you

need, the utility makes up the differ-ence. When the wind system producesmore electricity than the householdrequires, the excess is sent or sold tothe utility.Grid-connected systems can be practi-cal if the following conditions exist: You live in an area with average

annual wind speed of at least10 mph (4.5 m/s). Utility-supplied electricity is

expensive in your area (about 10 to15 cents per kilowatt-hour).

The utility's requirements forconnecting your system to its gridare not prohibitively expensive.

There are good incentives for thesale of excess electricity or for thepurchase of wind turbines.

Federal regulations (specifically, thePublic Utility Regulatory Policies Actof 1978, or PURPA) require utilitiesto connect with and purchase powerfrom small wind energy systems.However, you should contact yourutility before connecting to their dis-tribution lines to address any powerquality and safety concerns. Yourutility can provide you with a list of requirements for connecting your sys-tem to the grid. The American WindEnergy Association is another goodsource for information on utility


20 H2 H

Obstruction of the Wind by a Buildingor Tree of Height (H)

0 2 9 7 9 3 0 7 m

H2 H

Regionof highlyturbulent

flow

The farther youplace your windturbine fromobstacles suchas buildings ortrees, the lessturbulence youwill encounter.


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Can I Go "Off-Grid"?Hybrid Systems

Hybrid wind energy systems canprovide reliable off-grid power forhomes, farms or even entire com-munities (a co-housing project, forexample) that are far from the nearestutility lines. According to manyrenewable energy experts, a "hybrid"system that combines wind andphotovoltaic (PV) technologies offersseveral advantages over either singlesystem. In much of the United States,wind speeds are low in the summerwhen the sun shines brightest andlongest. The wind is strong in thewinter when there is less sunlightavailable. Because the peak operatingtimes for wind and PV occur at differ-ent times of the day and year, hybridsystems are more likely to producepower when you need it. (For moreinformation on solar electric orPV systems, contact the EnergyEfficiency and Renewable EnergyClearinghousesee For MoreInformation.)

For the times when neither the windnor the PV modules are producing,most hybrid systems provide power

through batteries and/or an engine-generator powered by conventionalfuels such as diesel. If the batteriesrun low, the engine-generator canprovide power and recharge the bat-teries. Adding an engine-generatormakes the system more complex, butmodern electronic controllers canoperate these systems automatically.An engine-generator can also reducethe size of the other componentsneeded for the system. Keep in mindthat the storage capacity must belarge enough to supply electrical

needs during non-charging periods.Battery banks are typically sized tosupply the electric load for one tothree days.An off-grid hybrid system may bepractical for you if: You live in an area with average

annual wind speed of at least9 mph (4.0 m/s).

A grid connection is not availableor can only be made through an


Regulation andconversion

Load

Battery bank

AC orDC

Windturbine

PV modules

Generator

Hybrid Power SystemsCombine multiple sources to deliver non-intermittent electric power

0 2 9 7 9 3 0 1 m

A hybrid systemthat combines awind system with asolar and/or dieselgenerator canprovide reliable off-grid power aroundthe clock.


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Government Agencies

Energy Efficiency and RenewableEnergy Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 3048,Merrifield, Virginia 22116 800-DOE-EREC (363-3732). http://www.eren.doe.govNational Climatic Data Center,Federal Building, 151 Patton Avenue,Asheville, North Carolina, 28801-5001.(828) 271-4800. Fax (828) 271-4876.http://www.ncdc.noaa.govU.S. Department of Commerce,National Technical InformationService, 5285 Port Royal Road,Springfield, Virginia 22161. (800)553-6847. http://www.ntis.gov/ordering.htm

Non-Government Organizations

American Wind Energy Association,122 C Street, N.W. 4th Floor,Washington, D.C. 20001. (202) 383-2500. http://www.awea.orgSolar Energy InternationalShortcourses on renewable energy andsustainable development, inCarbondale, Colorado. (970) 963-8855.http://www.solarenergy.org

Periodicals

"Apples and Oranges" by Mick SagrilloAcomprehensive compari-son of available small wind turbines.On Home Power Magazine Web site:http://www.homepower.comHome Power MagazineThe defini-tive bimonthly magazine for thehomemade power enthusiast.(800)707-6586 or on the Web at:http://www.homepower.com

Videos

An Introduction to Residential WindSystems with Mick SagrilloA63-minute video answering questionsmost often asked by homeownersas they consider purchasing andinstalling their own wind power

systems. Order from AWEA (202) 383-2500, http://www.awea.org

Web Sites

AWEASmall Wind Systems WebsiteIncludes answers to frequentlyasked questions and information onU.S. manufacturers. http://www.awea.org/smallwind.html

Database of State Incentives forRenewable EnergyOn the Web athttp://www.dcs.ncsu.edu/solar/dsire/dsire.htmlGreen Power Network Net MeteringWeb SiteNet metering programs arenow available in 30 states. Visit thisDOE Web site for information:http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower/netmeteringSmall Wind "Talk" on the WebAWEA's Home Energy Systems elec-tronic mailing list is designed as a

forum for the discussion of small-scaleenergy systems that include wind. Tosubscribe, send a subscription [email protected] Energy for HomeownersThisWeb site discusses things you shouldconsider before investing in a smallwind energy system and provides basic information about the systems.http://www.eren.doe.gov/wind/homeowner.html



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Which of the following do you believe is the best way for farmers to reap the financial rewards fromwind power?

37.8%-By leasing a small portion of their farm to a power generator for the placementof wind turbines.

31.1%-By investing in a farmer-owned wind power cooperative

12.9%-By purchasing a small wind turbine for your own individual on-farm use

7.6%-By owning and placing large scale wind turbines on your own land

9.8%-Dont Know

0.8%-Refused

Do you believe wind energy can provide additional farm income to your farming operation?Yes-59.3% No-30.1% Dont Know-4.3% Refused-0%

Should farmers, industry and public institutions promote wind power as an alternative energy source?


Would you be more inclined to invest in wind energy because it produces no harmful emissions and helps toclean the environment?


Should farmers be offered financial incentives such as production tax credits through government programsas one way to encourage wind energy development?

Yes-77.9% No-15.7% Dont Know-6.3% Refused-0.2%

With energy prices at very high levels and given the need for the country to become more energyindependent for national security reasons, do you believe the Congress and the Administration inWashington, DC should make a major commitment toward the promotion of wind energy?

Yes-76.7% No-15.7% Dont Know-7.4% Refused-0.2%

In addition to the federal production tax credits for wind energy, the Minnesota Legislature put a state-levelincentive in place to encourage the development of wind energy power. As a result Minnesota has greatlyexpanded its number of wind farms. Should other state legislatures follow Minnesotas lead and pass similarwind power incentives?

Yes-77.7% No.-9.2% Dont Know-12.9% Refused-0.2%

Do you agree or disagree that rural electric cooperatives should help support and promote wind energy?

Agree-82.2% Disagree-13.9% Dont Know-8.4% Refused-0.2%

Members of Congress from the Midwest and other regions are pushing for federal action to encourage theupgrading of existing and the construction of new electric transmission lines as a farm-to-market road tobetter market the power generated from wind turbines and wind farms in rural areas.The American CornGrowers Association has endorsed this action and told Congress that new transmission lines are desperatelyneeded in rural America. Do you agree or disagree that Congress and the federal government should moveahead quickly to encourage new transmission capacity as away to move electric power from wind farms to

consumer markets?Agree-75.7% Disagree-13.9% Dont Know-10% Refused-0.4%

States with laws requiring utility companies to accept electricity from wind turbines onto the power grid areseeing more successful wind power development. Do you agree or disagree that electric utility companiesshould be required to accept electricity generated by wind farms as part of their power generation mix?

Agree-87.5% Disagree-6.3% Dont Know-5.9% Refused-0.4%

Small Wind Electric Systems

Survey results continued from inside front cover.


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For more information on Wealth From the Wind, contact:

Dan McGuireAmerican Corn Growers Foundation1730 M Street NWSuite 911Washington, D.C. 20036Phone: 202-835-0023.

Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy by theNational Renewable Energy Laboratory,a DOE national laboratory

DOE/GO-102003-1751

Wealth From the Wind A Program Of The

merican Corn Growers Foundation 1730 M Street, NW, Suite 911, Washington, DC 20036, (202)835-0023, E-Mail: www.acgf.org

W a r r e n

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U.S. Department of EnergyEnergy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyWind and Hydropower Technologies ProgramA Strong Energy Portfolio for a Strong America

Energy efficiency and clean, renewable energy will mean a stronger economy, acleaner environment, and greater energy independence for America. Working with awide array of state, community, industry, and university partners, the U.S. Departmentof Energys Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Invests in a diverseportfolio of energy technologies.

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