Wind Energy: Technologies, Siting Considerations and Incentives

1. Wind Energy: Technologies, Siting Considerations and Incentives Andy Brydges Sr. Director, Renewable Energy Generation MassCECDuxbury Wind Advisory Committee March 12, 2013

2. Overview 2 • Wind Energy Basics • Wind turbines • Wind resource • Siting and Development • The process • What to consider • Markets and Incentives • Selling Power • State and Federal Incentives • MassCEC Commonwealth Wind Program

3. Sample Mass. Projects 3

4. Wind Energy in MA 4

5. WIND ENERGY BASICS 5

6. Wind Turbine Components • The turbine rotor always faces into the wind (by “yawing”) • In some turbines, blade “pitch” can be varied • Generator and gearbox, etc. are housed in the “nacelle” Blade Tip Height

7. Wind Turbine Power Curve 7

8. 8

9. SITING AND DEVELOPMENT 9

10. Siting Considerations Developer or Project Sponsor Is there good wind? Am I close enough to the grid? How can I lay out turbines to maximize production on this site? What are the geotechnical conditions? Is the transportation route clear? Community and Neighbors Will I see it? Will I hear it? What about shadow flicker or ice throw? Are there health impacts? Will the value of my property decline? What if it falls over or catches fire? 10

11. Siting Considerations (cont.) Interest Groups How will it affect wildlife? How will it affect electric grid stability? How will it affect tourism, recreation, hunting? How will it affect archaeological or cultural resources? Will it be visible from a historic district? 11

12. Development Process Public Engagement regarding siting; increasing refinement of number, size, and location of turbines Ongoing Public Engagement Re:Operations, Benefits, Impacts 6 to 12 months 1 to 2 months 12 to 15 months 3 to 6 months 6 to 12 months 20+ years 25 months to 41 months Notes: 1) Assumes no major issues associated with permit challenges in court 2) Steps and duration vary according to project size

13. Sample Siting Parameters and Preferences

14. MassCEC 2011 Telephone Survey of Host CommunitiesReported Complaints vs. Number of Blade Tip Heights to Nearest Residence 14

15. Municipal ownership Municipality finances, procures and owns the wind facility Private ownership Municipality leases land to wind factiity developer/owner Municipality purchases output directly and/or net metering credits Ownership Options 15

16. Key Characteristics of Success • Appropriate siting • Wind • Wildlife • Public Acceptance 16 Local champion and local benefits • Early and ongoing public engagement • Flexible developer and stakeholders • Rigorous analysis

17. MARKETS, INCENTIVES AND PROGRAMS 17

18. Markets and Incentives Markets Net Metering Wholesale Power Renewable Portfolio Standard (RECs) Other Massachusetts incentives Green Communities Program Loan Program – state revolving fund for water-related infrastructure Federal Production tax credit (PTC) Investment tax credit option Accelerated Depreciation USDA Grant and Loan Programs 18

19. Commonwealth Wind Program Structure Legend Cmty. & Cmrcl. Community Only Commercial Only Small Only Design & Construction Grant Business Planning Grant Site Assessment Services Wind Monitoring, Feasibility & Acoustic Study Grants ≥ 100 kW Development Grants and Loans Construction Rebates < 100 kW Education and Facilitation Services

20. Recent Program Refinements 20 • Require stakeholder engagement and public education at all development stages • Support use of facilitation services • Support or provide “wind energy 101 and 201” sessions • Undertake comprehensive energy planning exercises in communities/regions • Provide additional funding for detailed acoustic studies during FS • Provide information resources at MassCEC.com • Environmental benefits, Property values, Acoustics • Health, Grid integration, Others . . . • Program Goal: support well-sited projects with good prospects for obtaining local approvals • Employ rigorous analysis and conservative assumptions • Employ solid public engagement and education processes

21. Supporting Activities 21 • Detailed acoustic study methodology for FSs – done • Property value study – in process • MA focused/Smaller projects • Residential transactions at multiple distances during Development cycle • Falmouth Wind Turbine Options Process – in process • Facilitation and technical support in response to request from Town • Kingston acoustic monitoring – in process • Research Study on Wind Turbine Acoustics – in process • Collaboration between MassDEP and MassCEC • Research study…not a compliance test • Objectives • Measure the level and quality of sound emissions from a variety of operating wind projects in Massachusetts • Seek to understand and quantify the influence of variables including turbine type and size, wind conditions, topography and distance

22. Community Energy Strategies Pilot Program Assess Enable GOAL: Assist communities/RPAs to identify and implement the mix of clean energy strategies best suited to address local interests, needs, and opportunities. 22

23. Thank You . . . 23 MassCEC Commonwealth Wind Team Andy Brydges ABrydges@masscec.com 617-315-9313 Nils Bolgen NBolgen@masscec.com 617-315-9311 Peter McPhee PMcPhee@masscec.com 617-315-9343 Tyler Studds TStudds@masscec.com 617-315-9378 www.masscec.com