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Insurance Against
Conventional Fossil-
based Price Risk No Sulfur Dioxide (SO2),
Nitrous Oxide (NOx), or
Mercury Emissions
Why Wind Energy?
Wind, for now, is the renewable energy resource/technology of choice
“Free” resource
67% of air emissions of SO2, the primary cause of acid rain. SO2
causes acidification of lakes and damages forests and other
habitats.
P=½* ρ *A*V 3
1) Power in the wind is correlated 1:1 with area and is extremely sensitive to wind speed (the cubic amplifies the power
significantly)
3) A site with 16 mph average wind speed will generate nearly 50% more electricity and be more cost effective than one with 14
mph average wind speed (16*16*16) / (14*14*14) = 1.4927
4) Therefore, it “pay$” to hunt for good wind sites with better wind speeds
Energy from the Wind
Turbine output drives wind economics and output is a strong function of wind speed
Wind speed increases with height above the ground
Power = 1/2 × (air density) × (area) × (wind speed) ³
V2/V1 = (H2/H1)1/7
Wind Turbines
Turbines: Different Sizes and Application
Small (≤ 10 kW)
• Homes (Grid-connected) Intermediate
• Farms
• Remote Applications (10-500 kW)
• Village Power
(e.g. battery changing, water
pumping, telecom sites) • Hybrid Systems
• Distributed Power
Provide wholesale
bulk power
Require 13-mph
average wind sites
Technology Overview
Large Wind Projects
Over 98-99% availability
165-220 ft TOWER
Lowest ground clearance is at
least 100 ft.
The turbine would produce about 20% of its rated power at an average wind speed of
15 miles per hour (or 20 kilowatts if the turbine was rated at 100 kilowatts).
Operating Characteristics
of Wind Turbines
“Value” of Wind Energy
The value of a wind turbine or wind farm
depends upon many factors
location
terrain
wind speed = f(location, terrain)
cost of competing energy source
rate structure of competing energy source
Wind Insures Against
Fuel Price Risk
Platts “conservatively Value of domestic fuel
estimates that source (wind) would
generating electricity have a direct benefit
from renewable on the
Kansas/community
sources can ultimately
save consumers more
than $5/MWh (1/2¢ Wind energy “Fuel” is
per kW-h) by inflation-proof;
therefore impervious
eliminating fuel price to fuel price hikes
risk”*
*4/8/03 announcement re “Power Price
Stability: What’s it Worth?”
Wind - Natural Gas Comparison
Wind Natural Gas
Low Operating Cost High Operating Costs
High Capital Cost
Low Capital Cost
Non-dispatchable
No Fuel Supply/Cost Risk Dispatchable
No Emissions Fuel Supply/Cost Risk
Smog, Greenhouse
Gas Emissions
Wind Power Costs
Wind Speed
Assuming the same
size project (total MW
installed), the better
the wind resource, the
lower the cost; capture
more energy for the
same capital/ installed/
maintenance cost
Wind Power Costs
Project Size
Assuming the
same wind speed,
a larger wind farm
is more
economical;
economy-of-scale
associated with
wind farm
installation
Wind Power Isn’t Perfect
Wind Power output varies over time; it isn’t dispatchable
• www.wwea.org
• www.windpower.org