Small Wind: Buyer Beware!

Small wind solutions are increasingly becoming financially viable thanks to local and federal incentives, and from a technical perspective the quality factor is improving. The historically negative aspect about installing a small wind solution was that it would take an extraordinarily long period of time to pay back associative costs; if ever during the expected life span of the wind turbine generator.

From my vantage point ‘quality’ and ‘pricing’ in small wind are among the largest concerns. However, of greater concern is that there seems to be a growing abundance of misleading, if not deceptive advertising and false or unrealistic claims by many manufacturers. These take the form of claiming higher energy output, faster payback periods (using higher than what can normally be expected wind speeds in their energy calculations), and other types of unethical claims and behaviors.

But help is on the way, manufacturers of small wind turbines that form the legitimate face of the small wind industry are in the process of creating accountability within their segment of the industry. In addition to industry events, we are seeing the advent of the Small Wind Certification Council. We may soon see a certification process that will eliminate the industry’s seedier side. New small wind turbine generators are rapidly emerging from individual’s garages to manufacturers in both newer vertical and the more traditional horizontal models.

Vertical wind technology remains in its infancy and energy power output claims by manufacturers are almost always overstated…sometimes grossly overstated (the same applies for many horizontal wind turbine generators on the market). In my view, only one vertical wind turbine generator (VWTG) manufacturer is really trying to get it right (I applaud Mariah Power) by subjecting its product to the testing rigors of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). After NREL suspended testing for mechanical failure, Mariah Power continues to try and ‘get it right’ through modifications and through an independent testing regime. As of today WECC does not recommend any vertical wind turbine generator to our clients.

Note: Relative to the topic of VWTGs, Mick Sagrillo offers a strongly worded and germane Open Letter to Vertical Wind Access Turbine Manufacturers – worth the read!

We must recognize that in the current environment in most cases the manufacturer claims of power production, payback, power curve, size of generator vs. actual power output, and conditions of internal testing are solely the manufacturer’s, and the consumer must be able to trust that information that is presented to them is indeed reliable. In my view, to determine legitimacy any small turbine as a viable small wind solution, the manufacturer must subject their machine to the rigors of independent testing until such time that the Small Wind Certification Council has codified its processes and independent testing/reporting becomes an industry standard. Using the power curve and energy output data from an entity with no connection to the manufacturer adds strength and proves the manufacturer’s assertions. Up until now in most cases, we only have the manufacturer’s data in order to complete a cost/benefit analysis before purchasing a small wind turbine generator.

A sad fact is that in the past year many, many inventors and manufacturers are emerging in the ‘small wind’ space and the ‘checks and balances’ are not yet in place to protect the burgeoning small wind industry from itself. Until the Small Wind Certification Council gains some ‘legs and teeth’ and the legitimate small wind manufacturers gain momentum in policing the industry, we can expect continued consumer confusion and in some cases, unchecked deceptive practices. The long and short of this is Small Wind: Buyer Beware!

Article written by Wayne Hildreth
Email Wayne at hildreth@frombeginningtowind.com
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Impact of Variability and Uncertainty of Wind Resources on the Grid

Fact: The amount of wind energy that is produced and delivered to the grid depends on the wind speed.

Fact: Although wind speeds can be forecasted (uncertainty in forecast can be reduced), the variability in wind speed cannot be controlled. Meaning wind has its own schedule, we may be able to predict it, but we cannot match its schedule of the demand schedule.

Fact: The goal of a Utility is to provide reliable power, whenever the customer demands (of course within reason).

Question: What happens when wind is strong (high supply) and there is low demand on the grid?

Question: What happens when there is no wind (low supply) and demand is high on the grid?

Before answering these questions let me present the background. For simplicity there are three types of generators in a grid: Base load generators, spinning reserve and non-spinning reserves.

Base load generators are the large thermal and nuclear power plants that supply electricity. These generators operate 24x7, and produce almost constant amount of electrical power running close to rated power capacity.

Spinning reserves are generators that are spinning (or on) all the time and react of changes in electrical energy demand. Examples are natural gas fired and hydro generators. The amount of fuel is regulated by the demand. These generators are typically running at low output but can react to changes in demand quickly by increasing or decreasing output without sharp drop in efficiency.

Non-spinning reserves are generators that are turned on in case of large spike in demand or large decrease in supply. The startup time is 10 to 30 minutes. In case of unexpected events, these reserves relieve spinning reserves running at full throttle.

These reserves are pooled across utilities and grid operators manage uncertainties in demand and supply with reserves they own and moving energy from other utilities.

When wind energy is added the grid, it introduces variability to the supply side. The same mechanisms of spinning and non-spinning reserves which are used to manage variability in the grid are also used to manage wind energy variability. Meaning when wind energy is on, spinning reserves reduce output. According to Brady and Gramlich[1], when there is high penetration of wind energy, there may be a need to increase reserves, but the increase is modest. Studies have shown that integration of 10 to 20 percent wind can cost $0.005/kWh.

[1] D. Brady, R. Gramlich, “Getting Smart About Wind and Demand Response,” Wind Systems, pp. 28-33, July 2009.

Article written by Dr. Pramod Jain

Email Pramod at pramod@frombeginningtowind.com

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Small wind - Is it right for you?

The search for affordable and sustainable energy sources in today’s struggling economy may have you looking toward the small wind market. Small wind projects –those 100kW and below - can prove beneficial for small businesses, homes, manufacturing plants, schools and municipalities given the right conditions. However, small wind is not feasible for every situation. Before thinking any further about a small wind project, consider the following.

Small wind is a practical solution for you if:

You have sufficient wind

No wind, no go. A wind speed of at least 6 m/s, or 12mph, is the current standard for feasible and economically viable wind projects of this size.

You have enough space to support the project

A general recommendation is at least one acre of space in a rural setting. It may work in urban settings however, if there is an unobstructed wind flow. Wind turbines work most efficiently when the wind flow is streamlined.

Tall structures are allowed in your area

If there are strict zoning ordinances in your area that would prevent a feasible turbine tower height, small wind may not be right for you. We recommend a fall zone of at least one and one-half the length of the turbine.

You have a realistic picture of your energy demand

Small wind projects can reduce your electricity bill by 50-90%, given an adequate wind resource and hub height. The key is matching your energy demand to turbine power output.

You are comfortable with a long-term investment

Although incentives and grants make wind energy projects more competitive and economically feasible, small wind projects will generally have a longer payback period compared with other investments. If you are looking for a quick return on investment, small wind probably isn’t for you.

Article written by Sarah Smith

Email Sarah at smith@frombeginningtowind.com

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