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

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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 times Lunch, and breaks (Please let us know if you need a break!) Bathrooms Survey today before morning tea Brief 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 process o Learn more about wind resource assessment o Industry standards/technical information o 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

Small scale Renewable Energy Scheme Large scale Renewable Energy Target Green Power Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator Accredits small scale renewable energy installers (majority PV) Peak body for Australian renewable energy businesses Developing approved product list, considering wind standards Intend to require small wind installers to undertake this course Clean Energy Council Responsible for Electrotechnology Training packages Wind competencies (Currently three units) are part of UEE07 TP This course identified to fill gaps in current Training Packages EE-Oz 11 Key Stakeholders

Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator 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 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 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 requirements Slide 15 UEE07 Training Package  Install small wind energy conversion systems for stand-alone applications  Solve basic problems in wind energy conversion systems  Design wind energy conversion systems up to 10kW  Each 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 neighbour Slide 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 Customer’s expectations for and knowledge of wind Energy consumption and economic situation 1. Understand the customer Land use, location, size, ownership Elevation, topography, obstructions 2. Assess the site: desktop study Turbulence and ground drag, tower considerations Grid connection, cable run, ground conditions 3. Evaluate the site: site visit Identify wind data and information sources Displacement height, alpha and turbulence 4. Estimate the energy resource Tower type and minimum height, turbine options Estimate energy production 5. Investigate other constraints Zoning, neighbours, environmental conditions Connection requirements, flight paths, protected areas 6. Determine system options Site diagram, aerials and topographics, wind maps Energy yield and financial performance 7. Do site assessment report

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? 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