Small Scale Wind Energy(jupe)

8/9/2019 Small Scale Wind Energy(jupe)

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This publication draws heavily on SmallWind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consum-

ers Guide (DOE/GO-102005-2095), pro-duced by the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory (NREL). Material from thispublication is reprinted and adapted herewith permission from NREL.

A Publication of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service 1-800-346-9140 www.attra.ncat.org

ATTRANational Sustainable

Agriculture Information Ser-

vice is managed by the National

Center for Appropriate Technol-

ogy (NCAT) and is funded under

a grant from the United States

Department of Agricultures

Rural Business-Cooperative

Service. Visit the NCAT Web site

(www.ncat.org/agri.

html) for more informa-

tion on our sustainable

agriculture projects.

Funding for the development

of this publication was provided

by the USDA Risk Management

Agency.

Contents

By Cathy SvejkovskyNCAT Energy Specialist

2007 NCAT

Small-Scale Wind Energyon the FarmWind-generated electricity is attracting the interest of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners acrossthe country. People find wind energy attractive for a variety of reasons, including its potential economic

benefits and its lower impact on the environment when compared to coal and other electric power

generation fuels. Wind-generated electricity can help farmers and ranchers reduce their energy costs,

an important consideration in these days of continually increasing utility rates.

This publication will introduce you to small-scale wind energy to help you decide if wind energy is an

economical option for your farm or ranch.

Introduction

Wind energy systems use the windto generate electricity with a windturbine. More and more peopleare considering wind energy asthey look for affordable and reli-

able sources of electricity. Smallwind electric systems can makean important contribution to ournations energy needs. In 2005,the United States installed more new windenergy capacity than any other country inthe world. The new capacity, totaling 2,431megawatts (MW), was worth more than$3 billion in generating equipment, and itbrought the total national wind energy capac-ity to 9,149 MW. Thats enough electricity topower 2.3 million average American house-

holds. In 2006, an additional 2,454 MWwas installed, bringing the nations totalinstalled capacity to 11,603 MW.

Many rural areas have sufficient windspeeds to make wind an attractive alterna-tive, and farms and ranches can often installa small-scale wind energy system withoutimpacting their ability to plant crops andgraze livestock. Most farms and rancheshave enough open land (generally an acre

Farms and ranches, such as this one in southwest Minnesota,

can use wind-generated electricity to reduce utility bills.

Photo courtesy of NREL.

or more) to provide a significant portion oftheir electricity from wind power.

Why Should I Choose Wind?Wind energy can be a cost-effective small-scale renewable energy system. Depend-ing on your wind resource and the electricconsumption on your farm, a small wind

energy system can lower electricity bills,help avoid the high costs of extending util-ity power lines to remote locations, preventpower interruptions, and provide a non-pol-

luting source of electricity.

How Do Wind Turbines Work?Wind is created by the unequal heating ofthe Earths surface by the sun. Wind tur-bines convert the kinetic energy in wind

Introduction ..................... 1

Why Should I ChooseWind? .................................. 1

How Do Wind TurbinesWork? .................................. 1

Is Wind Energy Practicalfor Me? ............................... 2

Is There Enough Wind atMy Site? .............................. 3

Zoning Issues ................... 4

What Size Wind TurbineDo I Need?......................... 4

What are the Basic Partsof a Small Wind ElectricSystem? .............................. 5

What Do Wind SystemsCost? .................................... 7

How Much Energy WillMy System Generate? ... 7

Grid-ConnectedSystems .............................. 8

Can I Sell My ExcessElectricity to theUtility? ................................ 9

Financial Incentives ....... 9

References ...................... 10


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Page 2 ATTRA Small-Scale Wind Energy on the Farm

Related ATTRAPublications

into mechanical power that runs a genera-tor to produce clean electricity. Todays tur-bines are versatile sources of electricity.Their blades are aerodynamically designed

to capture the maximum energy from thewind. The wind turns the blades, whichspin a shaft connected to a generator thatmakes electricity.

Is Wind Energy Practical for Me?A small wind energy system can provideyou with a practical and economical source

of electricity if:

your property has a good windresource

you have at least one acre of land ina rural area

your local zoning codes or covenants

allow wind turbines

you have high electric costs

your property is in a remote loca-

tion that does not have easy accessto utility lines

you are comfortable with long-terminvestments

Its important to examine your reasons forwanting to purchase a wind energy system. If

your reasons are purely economic, you couldend up disappointed, since wind energysystems can have long payback periods. If

you are also interested in benefits such asenvironmental protection, independence,or energy security, you may find the costand payback period to be perfectly accept-able. Make sure you fully understand theresults you can expect, as well as potentialobstacles, such as zoning laws, generationcapacity, maintenance requirements, andwarranty coverage.

Renewable Energy

Opportunities on

the Farm

Wind-Powered

Electric Systems for

Homes, Farms, andRanches: Resources

Effi cient Agricultural

Buildings: An

Overview

Wind turbines operate in harmony with farming and ranching. Photo courtesy

of NREL.

First Things First:

Make Your Farm Buildings as

Energy-Effi cient as Possible

Before choosing a wind system for your farm

or ranch, you should reduce your energy con-

sumption as much as possible. This topic

is discussed in greater detail in the ATTRA

publication Effi cient Agricultural Buildings:

An Overview. Energy conservation is almost

always more cost-effective than renewable

energy systems, and could reduce the size of

your wind energy system. From wall insula-

tion to light bulbs, there are many ways to

make your farm buildings more effi cient.

Reduce your heating and cooling needs by

up to 30% by investing just a few hundred

dollars in proper insulation and weather-

ization products.

Save money and increase comfort by prop-erly maintaining and upgrading your heating,

ventilation, and air-conditioning systems.

Install double-paned, gas-filled windows

with low-emissivity (low-e) coatings to

reduce heat loss in cold climates and spec-

trally selective coatings to reduce heat gain

in warm climates.

Replace your lights in high-use areas with flu-

orescents. Replacing 25% of your lights can

save about 50% of your lighting energy bill.

When shopping for products such as light-

ing, windows, and heating and cooling

systems, look for the ENERGY STAR label.

ENERGY STAR products have been identi-

fied by the U.S. Environmental Protection

Agency and U.S. Department of Energy as

being the most energy-effi cient products

in their classes.


3/12

Page 3ATTRAwww.attra.ncat.org

Is There Enough Wind atMy Site?Does the wind blow hard and consistentlyenough at your site to make a small windturbine system economically worthwhile?That is a key question and not always eas-ily answered. The wind resource can varysignificantly over an area of just a few miles

because of local terrain influences on thewind flow. Yet, there are steps you can takethat can help answer this question.

As afirst step, a wind resource map canhelp you estimate the wind resource inyour region. State wind resource maps,such as those found on the Wind Pow-ering America website (www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/wind_maps.asp) wi ll help you understandthe resources in your specific region.Note that maps for some states show wind

speed estimates at 50 meters above theground and depict the resource that could

be used for utility-scale wind develop-ment. DOEs future plans include provid-

ing wind speed estimates at 30 meters,which are useful for identifying smallwind turbine opportunities.

You can find additional wind resourcemaps, showing region-specific data, in

NRELs Wind Energy Resource Atlasof the United States, available online athttp://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas. Forwestern regions, consult windpowermaps.

org and The Renewable Energy Atlas ofthe West, available at www.energyatlas.org. For California only, consult Califor-nia Wind Resource Maps at www.energy.ca.gov/maps/wind.html. Note that windmaps provide only broad est imatesthewind speed for any part icular site is often

a prediction based on terrain, ratherthan an actual measurement. The actualwind resource at a specific site may differ

considerably from these estimates. Forsite-specific wind resource data, consulta turbine dealer or install an anemometer

(a device that measures wind speed) onyour property.

In general, the highest average windspeeds in the United States are found

along seacoasts, on ridgelines, and in theGreat Plains; however, many areas havewind resources strong enough to powera small wind turbine economically. Thewind resource estimates on the map above

generally apply to terrain features that are

well-exposed to the wind, such as plains,hilltops, and ridge crests.

Another way to estimate the wind resource

is to get average wind speed informationfrom a nearby airport. Use caution, how-ever, because local terrain and other factors

may cause the wind speed recorded at anairport to be different from your particu-lar location. Also, airport wind speeds aregenerally measured at heights of only about

20-33 feet (610 meters) above ground.

Average wind speeds increase with height

and may be 1525% greater at a typi-cal small wind turbine hub-height of 80

feet (24 meters) than those measured atairport anemometer heights. The National

Climatic Data Center collects data fromairport s in the United States and makeswind data summaries available for pur-chase. Summaries of wind data fromalmost 1,000 U.S. airports also areincluded in Wind Energy Resource Atlasof the United States, available online athttp://rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy.


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Another useful, indirect way to measurethe wind resource is by observing vege-tation. Trees, especially conifers or ever-greens, can be permanently deformed by

strong winds. This deformity, known asflagging, has been used to estimate the

average wind speed for an area. For more

information on flagging, you may want toobtain A Siting Handbook for Small Wind

Energy Conversion Systems, by H. Weg-ley, J. Ramsdell, M. Orgill & R. Drake,Report No. PNL-2521, available fromNational Technical Information Serviceat www.ntis.gov or (703) 605-6585.

Direct monitoring by a wind resourcemeasurement system at a site provides the

clearest picture of the available resource.

A good overall guide on this subject isthe Wind Resource Assessment Handbook,

available online at www.nrel.gov/docs/legosti/fy97/22223.pdf. Wind measure-ment systems are available for as littleas $600 to $1,200. This expense mayor may not be justified, depending on the

exact nature of your proposed small wind

system. The measuring equipment mustbe set high enough to avoid turbulencecreated by trees, buildings, and otherobstructions. The most useful readings

are those taken at hub-height. If there is asmall wind turbine system in your area, you

may be able to obtain information on theannual output of the system or wind speedsat its location.

Zoning IssuesBefore you invest in a wind energy system,

you should research potential obstacles.Some jurisdictions, for example, restrict the

height of the structures permitted in resi-dentially zoned areas, although variancesmight be allowed. Most zoning ordinanceshave a height limit of 35 feet. You can findout about the zoning restrictions in yourarea by call ing the local building inspector,

board of supervisors, or planning board. Asa minimum, contact the county commission

to ask what, if any, county requirements

exist. They can tell you if you will need toobtain a building permit and provide youwith a list of requirements. In addition tozoning issues, your neighbors might objectto a wind machine that blocks their view,or they might be concerned about noise.Most zoning and aesthetic concerns can beaddressed by supplying objective data.

For more information about permitting,see AWEAs Small Wind Toolbox: Getting aBuilding Permit at www.awea.org/smallwind/

toolbox2/INSTALL/building_permits.html

What Size Wind TurbineDo I Need?The size of the wind turbine you needdepends on your application. Most turbines

are rated according to peak wattage. Smallturbines are rated from 100 watts to 100kilowatts (one kilowatt equals 1,000 watts).

One- to 10-kW turbines can be used inapplications such as pumping water.

A wind turbine manufacturer can provideyou with the expected annual energy output

of the turbine as a function of annual aver-age wind speed. The manufacturer will also

provide information on the maximum windspeed for safe operation. Most turbines haveautomatic overspeed-governing systems tokeep the rotor from spinning out of controlin very high winds. This information, along

Flagging, the effect of strong winds on area vegetation, can help determine area

wind speeds. Source : Windustry.

This 1-kW wind turbine from

World Power Technology,

Inc. is used for pumping

water for 120 head of

cattle at a ranch in Texas.

Source: World Power

Technology.


5/12


with your local wind speed and your energy

budget, will help you decide what size ofturbine will best meet your electric needs.

What are the Basic Parts of aSmall Wind Electric System?Home-scale wind energy systems are gen-erally comprised of a rotor, a generator oralternator mounted on a frame, a tail, atower, wiring, and the balance of systemcomponents: controllers, inverters, and/or batteries. Through the spinning blades,the rotor captures the kinetic energy of thewind and converts it into rotary motion todrive the generator.

To find wind equipment suppliers andinstallers in your area, as well as sourcesof technical support, see ATTRAs Farm

Energy Search Toolat

http://attra.ncat.org/energy.php

Wind TurbineMost turbines manufactured today are hor-izontal-axis, upwind machines (the rotorfaces the wind) with two or three blades,which are usually made of a compositematerial such as fiberglass. These machinesare designed so that turbines rotate around

a horizontal axis, and the rotor is placed on

the windward side of the support tower.The amount of power a turbine will produce

is determined primarily by the diameter ofits rotor. The diameter of the rotor defines

its swept area, or the quantity of windintercepted by the turbine. The turbinesframe is the structure onto which the rotor,generator, and tail are attached. The tailkeeps the turbine facing into the wind.

TowerBecause wind speeds increase with height,

the turbine is mounted on a tower. In gen-eral, the higher the tower, the more energy

the wind system can produce. The toweralso raises the turbine above the air tur-bulence caused by obstructions such ashills, buildings, and trees. As a generalrule of thumb, the bottom of the rotorblades should be at least 30 feet (9 meters)

above any obstacle that is within 300 feet(90 meters) of the tower. Relatively smallinvestments in increased tower height can

yield very high rates of return in energyproduction. For instance, raising a 10-kWgenerator from a 60-foot tower height toa 100-foot tower increases system costby about 10%, but can increase energyproduction by 29%.

Mounting turbines on rooftops is not rec-ommended. All wind turbines vibrate andtransmit the vibration to the structure onwhich they are mounted. This can lead

to noise and structural problems with thebuilding, and the roofline can cause exces-sive turbulence that will shorten the life ofthe turbine.

Balance of SystemThe parts that you need in addition to theturbine and the tower, or the balance of sys-

tem parts, will depend on your application.

Most manufac turers can provide you with a

system package that includes all the parts

you need for your application. For exam ple,the parts required for a water pumping sys-

tem will be much different than what youneed for a residential application. The bal-ance of system required will also dependon whether the system is grid-connected(connected to the uti lity grid), stand-alone(independent of the utility grid), or part ofa hybrid system (a power system that usesmore than one source of energywind and

Bergey XL-1 horizontal-axis upwind machine.

Source: Bergey Windpower.


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photovoltaics, for example). For a residen-tial grid-connected application, the balanceof system parts may include a controller,storage batteries, a power conditioning unit

(inverter), and wiring.

Stand-Alone SystemsStand-alone systems (systems not con-nected to the utility grid) often requirebatteries to store excess power for usewhen the wind is calm. They also needa charge controller to keep the batter-ies from overcharging. Deep-cycle batter-ies, such as those used for golf carts, candischarge and recharge 80% of their capac-

ity hundreds of times, which makes thema good option for remote renewable energysystems. Automotive batteries are shallow-cycle batteries and should not be used inrenewable energy systems because of theirshort l ife in deep-cycling operations.

Small wind turbines generate direct current(DC) electricity. In very small systems, DCappliances operate directly off the batter-ies. If you want to use standard appliancesthat use conventional household alternating

current (AC), you must install an inverterto convert DC electricity from the batteriesto AC. Although the inverter slightly lowersthe overall efficiency of the system, it allows

Types of Towers

There are three basic types of towers suitable for farm-sized turbines:

Monopole

This type of tower is generally the least expensive. The tower is a tilt-up style tower and is

generally installed using a gin-pole and winch. Monopoles generally have four guy wires

for support. Maintenance on the turbine is performed by tilting the tower down. The

height of this type of tower is limited by the weight of the machine and generally 10-kW

machines are the largest that can be placed on such towers. Tilt-up towers require space

for guy wires and for tipping up and down of the tower.

Guyed lattice

Guyed lattice towers are generally more expensive than monopole designs but can sup-

port larger turbines at higher heights. Towers are generally installed using gin-pole and

winch. Guyed lattice towers also come with the advantage of either being able to tip the

tower down or relatively easy climb-ability for regular maintenance (climbing, if done

with appropriate safety precautions, gear and training,

is much safer than tilting a tower up and down every

time maintenance is required). Guyed lattice towers

require much space for tipping up and down of tower

and guy wires. Again, check with turbine manufactures

to see what tower options they recommend with various

turbine models.

Lattice

Lattice towers, in most cases, are required for machines

larger than 20 kW in size. The installation of these towers

is generally more complicated than that of a guyed lat-

tice tower because a crane is needed to lift the tower and

turbine into place. Maintenance is performed by climbing

the tower. If major work is required on a machine a crane

may be required to remove the turbine from the tower.

Check with manufacturers to determine what tower

options they recommend with different turbine models.

Monopole tower.

Lattice tower.

Guyed lattice tower .

Source: Windustry.org.


7/12


the home to be wired for AC, a definite plus

with lenders, electrical code officials, andfuture homebuyers.

For safety, batteries should be isolated fromliving areas and electronics because theycontain corrosive and explosive substances.

Lead-acid batteries also require protec-tion from temperature extremes. Batteriesshould be enclosed in a box, which shouldbe vented to the outside.

What Do Wind Systems Cost?According to the American Wind EnergyAssociation (AWEA), small wind energy

systems cost from $6,000 to $8,000 forevery kilowatt of generating capacity,depending on size. Smaller wind systemsare more costly per kilowatt of installedcapacity. Wind energy becomes morecost-effective as the size of the turbineincreases. Although small turbines costless in initial outlay, they are proportion-ally more expensive.

A 10-kW system, for example, can cost$47,000 to $60,000 installed. Rebates,tax credits, and other incentives can reduce

these costs. Well-sited small wind turbinescan usually pay for themselves within 15years, about half their serviceable life-times, if the right incentives are applied,says AWEA.

Although wind energy systems involve asignificant initial investment, they can

be competitive with conventional energysources when you account for a lifetime ofreduced or avoided utility costs. The length

of the payback periodthe time before thesavings resulting from your system equalthe cost of the system itselfdepends onthe system you choose, the wind resourceon your site, electric costs in your area, and

how you use your wind system.

How Much Energy Will MySystem Generate?As mentioned above, most U.S. manufac-turers rate their turbines by the amountof power they can safely produce at a par-ticular wind speed. Even a small increasein wind speed results in a large increasein power. That is why a taller tower willincrease the productivity of any wind tur-

bine by giving it access to higher windspeeds, as shown in the graph below.

Can I Install a Wind EnergySystem Myself?

Most dealers offer either complete turn-

key (ready-to-operate) installations or the

option to purchase direct from the fac-

tory and install the system yourself. The

first option offers more customer support

from the company. Self-installation offers

significant savings and a hands-on under-standing of the turbine. Prospective own-

ers can discuss the options available with

manufacturers to decide which method

best suits their budget and technical skills.

American Wind Energy Association

TowerHeight,ft

Increase in wind power, %

Wind Speeds Increase with Height

0 41 75 100 1240

30

60

90

120

150


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The larger the rotor, the more energy it can

capture. The air density changes slightlywith air temperature and with elevation.The ratings for wind turbines are based onstandard conditions of 59 F (15 C) at sea

level. A density correction should be madefor higher elevations as shown in the graphabove. A correction for temperature is typi-

cally not needed for predicting the long-term perfor mance of a wind turbine.

The best measure of wind turbine perfor-mance is annual energy output. The dif-

ference between power and energy is thatpower (kilowatts [kW]) is the rate at whichelectric energy is consumed, while energy(kilowatt-hours [kWh]) is the quantity con-sumed. An estimate of the annual energyoutput from your wind turbine, kWh/year,is the best way to determine whether a par-

ticular wind turbine and tower will produce

enough electric energy to meet your needs.

A wind turbine manufacturer or dealer

can help you estimate the energy produc-tion you can expect. They will use a cal-culation based on the particular wind tur-bine power curve, the average annual windspeed at your site, the height of the towerthat you plan to use, the elevation, and (ifavailable) the frequency distribution of thewindan estimate of the number of hoursthat the wind will blow at each speed dur-ing an average year. Contact a wind turbine

manufacturer or dealer for assistance withthis calculation.

To get a preliminary estimate of the perfor-

mance of a particular wind turbine, use the

formula below.

AEO = 0.01328 D2 V3

Where:

AEO = Annual energy output, kWh/year

D = Rotor diameter, feet

V = Annual average wind speed, mph

Wind Powering Americas Wind EnergyPayback Period Workbook is a spreadsheettool that can help you analyze the econom-ics of a small wind electric system anddecide whether wind energy will work foryou. The spreadsheet can be found online at

www.windpoweringamerica.gov/docs/small_wind_economic_powerxls.

The tool asks you to provide informationabout how youre going to finance the sys-tem, the characteristics of your site, and the

properties of the system youre considering.

It then provides you with a simple paybackestimate in years.

Grid-Connected Systems

Small wind energy systems can beconnected to the electric distribution sys-tem and are then called grid-connectedsystems. Grid-connected systems requirea power conditioning unit (inverter), which

makes the turbine output electricallycompatible with the utility grid. Usually,batteries are not needed. A grid-con-nected wind turbine can reduce your con-sumption of utility-supplied electricity forlighting, appliances, and electric heat. Ifthe turbine cannot deliver the amount ofenergy you need, the utility makes up thedifference. When the wind system pro-duces more electricity than the householdrequires, the excess is sent or sold to theutility. Grid-connected systems can bepractical if the following conditions exist:

You live in an area with averageannual wind speed of at least 10mph (4.5 m/s).

Elevation,

ft

Air Density Change with Elevation

0

1,000

80 85 90 100957570

2,000

3,000

4,0005,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000


9/12


Utility-supplied electricity is expen-sive in your area (about 10 to 15cents per kilowatt-hour).

The utilitys requirements for con-necting your system to its grid arenot prohibitively expensive.

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

Can I Sell My ExcessElectricity to the Utility?Federal regulations (specifically, the Pub-lic Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978,

or PURPA) require utilities to connectwith and purchase power from small windenergy systems. However, you must contact

your utility before connecting to its distribu-tion lines to address any power quality and

safety concerns. Be aware that some utili-ties are more welcoming to interconnectionthan others. It is important that, early onin your planning process, you contact yourutility to learn about its interconnectionpolicies and expected costs. The AmericanWind Energy Association is another goodsource for information on utility intercon-nection requirements.

Financial IncentivesFinancial incentives can make wind energy

more affordable for farmers and ranchers.You can find out what incentives exist atboth state and federal levels at the Database

of State Incentives for Renewable Energy(DSIRE) at www.dsireusa.org.

Wind energy can be an attractive alterna-tive for farms and ranches across the coun-

try, offering numerous benefits, includingreduced energy costs, reduced environ-

mental impact, and increased energy inde-pendence. However, as with all renewableenergy systems, there also are challengesto these systems. Conduct a careful analy-sis of your energy needs and wind resource

potential, as well as system economics, ben-

efits, and potential obstacles, to see if wind

is a good choice for your farm or ranch.

A grid-connected wind turbine

can reduce your consumption

of utility-supplied electricity.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy.

Small wind turbines can provide supplemental power

for farms and ranches, such as this farm in western

Kansas. Excess power is fed back into the utility grid.

Source: Warren Gretz, NREL.


10/12


Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy, U.S.Department of Energy, Wind & Hydropower Technolo-

gies Program. www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/wind_ad.html

Consumers Guide to Renewable Energy in A rkansas,

A rkansas Energy Office, October 2005.arkansasenergy.org/media/170965/consumers_guide.pdf

The Consumers Guide to Small Wind and Solar Photo-voltaic Generation, NorthWestern Energy, 2007.

The Economics of Small Wind, American Wind EnergyAssociation. www.awea.org/smallwind/toolbox/TOOLS/fs_economics.asp

Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumers Guide,National Renewable Energy Laboratory, (NREL).March 2005. www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/

windpoweringamerica/pdfs/small_wind/small_wind_guide.pdf

Wind Energy: Harnessing the Wind to Generate Elec-tricity, Environmental and Energy Study Institute, May2006. www.eesi.org/publications/Fact%20Sheets/EC_Fact_Sheets/Wind_Energy.pdf

Montana Wind Power: A Consumers Guide to Harness-ing the Wind, NorthWestern Energy, December 2004.montanagreenpower.com/wind/PDF/montanawindpowerpub.pdf

Wind Powering America program brochure, www.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/windpoweringamerica/pdfs/wpa/35873_21century.pdf

ResourcesAmerican Wind Energy Association

www.awea.org

Farm Energy Search Tool

http://attra.ncat.org/energy.php

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

www.nrel.gov/wind

National Wind Coordinating Collaborative

www.nationalwind.org

Union of Concerned Scientists

www.ucsusa.org

U.S. Department of Energy

Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program

www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/

Windustry

www.windustry.org

Publications/Links

Burton, Tony, David Sharpe, Nick Jenkins, and Ervin

Bossanyi. Wind Energy Handbook, November 2001

Farming the Wind: Wind Power and Agriculture, Union

of Concerned Scientists. www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/

renewable_energy_basics/farming-the-wind-wind-power-

and-agriculture.htmlGipe, Paul. Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small

and Micro Wind Systems, April 1999.

Gipe, Paul. Wind Power, Revised Edition: Renewable

Energy for Home, Farm, and Business. April 2004.

Paul, Greg, New and Improved Wind Power, Mother

Earth News, June/July 2007. www.motherearthnews.

com/Alternative-Energy/2007-06-01/Improved-Wind-

Power.aspx

A Primer on Small Turbines, Bergey Windpower Co.www.bergey.com/School/Primer.html

Sullivan, Dan. Farming the Wind: The nuts and bolts

of blade design, site selection and tower technology,

The New Farm, www.newfarm.org/features/0504/

wind2.shtml

Wind Energy FAQs for Consumers, U.S. Department of

Energy Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program.

www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhydro/faqs.html

Wind Energy Payback Period Workbook, Wind

Powering America. www.windpoweringamerica.

gov/docs/small_wind_economic_model.xls

References


11/12


Notes


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Page 12 ATTRA

Small-Scale Wind Energy on the Farm

By Cathy Svejkovsky

NCAT Energy Specialist 2007 NCAT

This publication is available on the Web at:

www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/smallscalewindenergy.html

or

www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/smallscalewindenergy.pdf

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Small Scale Wind Energy(jupe)