Colorado Harvesting Energy Network Jonathan Moore Director, Renewable Energy Development Small Wind Workshop West Greeley Conservation District June 30, 2009

Workshop Outline Colorado Harvesting Energy Network –Welcome –CHEN: Who are we? –Community-based development –Small Wind development –Grants and Incentives REA – Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association –Net metering –Rebate program –Interconnection Requirements Break Equipment – Endurance Wind Power/ Colorado Equipment Weld County Permitting – Q & A

Colorado Harvesting Energy Network CHEN is a state-wide non-profit association with a mission to facilitate the development of community-based renewable energy projects. Contrasted with large projects developed by out-of-state corporations. Our emphasis is on keeping our energy dollars home: Local suppliers Local installers Local ownership

CHEN Role for Energy Development in partnership with state agencies, utilities, distributed generation entrepreneurs, individuals, communities 1.Statewide network (Board of Directors) 2.Local Education & Outreach (Rebecca Cantwell) 3.Public Policy – PUC (John Covert) 4.Project Development (Jonathan Moore) Examples: –Solar and wind on irrigation pumps –Small hydro generation with irrigation water –Community wind development/siting (utility scale) –Community “greening initiatives” –Energy Efficiency

Colorado Wind Resource Map

Turbine Sizes and Applications (Kilowatts, KW) (≥10kW) Homes Farms Remote Applications ( kW) Businesses Farms Village Power Wholesale Wind Energy (660 kW – 2+ Megawatts) Corporate Wind Farms Community Wind (local ownership) Small Wind, Kilowatts = kW (Behind the meter)

Steps to Implement a Small Wind Project 1.Assess your electricity consumption, energy load analysis 2.Evaluate your wind resource & micro-siting 3.Select turbine size (model) and tower height 4.Incentives & economics 5.Zoning (including neighbor notification) 6.Utility interconnection agreement 7.Building permit 8.Order turbine and tower 9.Installation 10.Commissioning

Renewable Portfolio Standards Amendment 37 & HB 1281 Vote of people vs. Legislature Requires Colorado utilities (>40,000 customers) to generate or purchase a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. 15% by 2015, 20% by 2020 Cooperative Electric Assoc & Municipal owned Utilities (MOU) 6% by 2015, 10% by 2020 Tradable renewable energy credits (REC) may be used to satisfy the standard. Community-based project – (1.5 X multiplier)

Grant Programs USDA Section 9007 Grants (Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)) –Grants up to 25% of cost –Guaranteed Loans up to 50% of cost –Contact USDA Rural Development Office USDA-NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Innovative conservation technologies Competitive grants Contact USDA – NRCS Colorado Department of Agriculture ACRE Grants –Renewable Energy Grant Program for Agriculture Producers (Supports Feasibility Studies, Project Development, Research) –Grants up to $100,000 –Contact Colorado Department of Agriculture ( )

Incentive Programs American Recovery and Re-Investment Act. –Small wind tax credit. Deduct 30% of the installed cost from their tax liability with no cost cap. Small Wind Rebate Program GEO currently contracts with five utility providers Net Metering (House Bill ) Rural electric and municipal utilities (>5,000 Cust) 10 kW for Residential Systems 25 kW for Commercial/Industrial –Credited at full kW hour rate –Monthly roll over –Annual “true up” – REA options

Stimulus Dollars State Energy Plan ($49M) - Budget submitted to DOE May 15 th. Solicitations for proposals and vendors may be sent in July –Residential, commercial, government, schools Energy Conservation Block Grant ($42M – $9.5 to the GEO, remainder to be entitled to communities) Deadline for GEO to submit plan for allocation is May 26 th. Funds will not be available for at least 60 days afterwards. Timeline:.

Resources/Links American Wind Energy Association – Database of state incentives for renewable energy – Governor’s Energy Office – Colorado Harvesting Energy Network –

Questions about REAP April Dahlager, USDA RD  

Colorado Harvesting Energy Network John Covert, Executive Director Rebecca Cantwell, Communication Jonathan Moore, RE Development