Small Wind Energy Systems

1. Small Wind Energy Systems A History, overview, and the issues currently at stake. Ben Harroun Vice President/ Co-founder Angel Wind Energy Inc. 815-383-7509 www.AWENERGY.com

2. Originated in the US in the 1800’s • 1920’s & 1930’s used extensively in the prairieland for household power prior to electric grid infrastructure • United States has been largest small wind supplier since 1980’s Charles F. Brush built the world's first automatically operated wind turbine in Cleveland in 1888. It was 60 feet tall, weighed four tons and had a 12kW turbine. Small Wind Energy Systems History:

3. Device that converts the energy in wind info useful electricity • Usually defined at systems that have a capacity to generate 1kw to 100kw • Towers that range from 30’-140’ in height, roof-mounted units also available • Most are grid-tied, i.e. work in tandem with your existing electric company with no batteries. Small Wind System Definition:

4. Small: 1-3.5kW Midsize: 5-30kw Large: 50-100kW Windspire 1.2kw Turbines at Devon Bank Wheeling IL 500-1500 kWhs a year Bergey 10kw Turbine Shows scale 8000-18000 kWhs a year Northwind 100kW Arends Bros LLC. Ashmore IL 120-160,000 kWhs a year Small Wind Examples:

5. Small wind systems from small to large Turbine Sizes

6. Tower Heights

7. Self-Supported Lattice Tower: More favorable in residential uses Guyed: Most affordable Extensively used in rural areas Monopole: Most common residential Tower Types

8. Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) Types of Turbines

9. Wind speed increases with height. Small increase in speed = 3x the power availability. Tall towers = less turbulence Less turbulence = more power Each location is very site specific for proper installation The 30’ Rule: Why We Need Tall Towers

10. Setback Distances and Height • Lot Size • Aesthetics • Sound • Property Values • Multiple Turbines • Structural/Safety Issues Current Zoning Issues:

11. Currently 110% of system height maximum for IL • Height should only be limited by setback distance unless • variance/easement is in place 􀂄 Turbines on the market are engineered to withstand hurricane force winds (110 -130 mph). 􀂄 Allowing abutting property owners to submit signed easements may be an alternative form of compliance should roads and utility lines be absent in the immediate vicinity. 􀂄 A manufacturer's engineering specifications should be an acceptable means of ensuring safety and practicality. Setback Distances/Heights

12. Some zoning rules limit turbines and/or their heights to a corresponding property size. For example, some jurisdictions limit tower height to 80 feet for lots 0.5-1.0 acre and impose no height limit for lots larger than 1.0 acre. • In our experience: • Siting of turbines will over-ride • lot size requirements and rule out • lots too small to install a system. • Lots 1/3 acre to 1/2 acre are • more than adequate for small systems. • Larger lots will be required for taller • towers and larger turbines. Lot Size Restrictions

13. Turbine Color Requirements Small turbines are designed to blend in with their surroundings as much as possible. Studies show that turbines best blend into the sky when painted the factory-default color. Manufacturers avail themselves of expertise to determine how to prevent their turbines from standing out like a sore thumb on the landscape. Type of Tower Restrictions A monopole tower (like a flag pole) generally has a "tidier" appearance than a lattice tower (like a radio tower) or guyed tower(like a flag pole with wire supports), but they can cost several thousands of dollars more and should not be considered equal economic substitutes. All towers on the market are professionally engineered for safety and reliability, leaving appearance and cost the only significant differences among them. Aesthetics/Color Requirements

14. Usually masked by ambient sounds • (wind in trees, traffic, etc.) • Varies by turbine type. • Modern equipment is much quieter. • Exponentially quieter with distance • (another reason for tall towers). • White noise: less tonal than a clasp on a flagpole. Sound Issues

15. Studies of utility scale wind show • No impact on property values • (LBNL Report, Sept. 2009) • No formal studies for small wind. • Anecdotal evidence that • Neighboring values increase. • Sign of progressive community. Our Experience: Most neighbors love local wind turbine. Those opposed do not understand turbine facts. Those opposed tend to complain about everything. Property Values

16. Though rare, some small wind systems come in "arrays" of multiple turbines, each of which is usually very small. However, regulations should treat additional turbines no differently than the first. So long as each turbine, or the resulting aggregate installation, meets the sound, setback, and safety requirements as exist for other structures, there should be no Need for further or special considerations. Some locations do not allow for large towers, requiring multiples. Utility interconnection can necessitate the need for multiple turbines. Multiple Turbines

17. Turbines and towers are engineered structures. Like lamp posts, cell towers, utility poles… • Setback distances are appropriate. • Attractive Nuisance (tower climbing) depends on tower style. Access required for maintenance. • Braking redundancies prevent over speed. Units are capable of withstanding 150+ mph winds. • Foundations are professionally engineered. No need for wet stamp requirements. Structural/Saftey Issues

18. Shadow Flicker • Fences • Birds • Icing Non-Issues/Misconceptions

19. Not an issue for smaller turbines due to higher RPMs. Predictable and easily avoidable. Only occurs during certain hours and certain days. Setback requirements usually preempt any issues. Formal studies not required for small turbines. This issue pertains almost exclusively (and similarly rarely) to large, utility-scale turbines because of their slower moving blades. Shadow Flicker

20. Some voice concern that a turbine could pose a temptation to unauthorized climbers and should be fenced off to prevent potential climbing-related injuries. However, decades of experience and tens of thousands of installations have shown that unauthorized climbing is exceedingly rare. Requiring fencing also places a burden on turbine Owners unlike any imposed on flagpoles, utility towers, or other common, climbable structures. 􀂄 Remove climbing foot rungs on the lower 10 or 12 feet of a freestanding tower. 􀂄 For lattice or guyed towers, fasten sheets of metal or wood to the lower part of the tower to cover all hand - and foot-holds. Fence Requirements

21. Housecats kill 10,000x more birds than LARGE turbines. • Small turbines are even more innocuous (zero impact?). • Audubon Society supports well sited turbines. Birds

22. Ice “throw” is almost physically impossible. • A turbine blade is an airfoil (like airplane wing). • Ice on wing = no lift, ice on blade = no spin, no spin = no throw • Ice drop is possible. Just as it is from trees, houses, utility poles, gutters… • Study: risk of ice throw < getting struck by lightning Icing

23. With Proper Zoning: • Economical Prosperity Increases • Local sourcing of installation • materials • More jobs come to the area • Happy homeowners/businesses • with more disposable income • Easy process expedites installation • and makes the move to renewable • energy feasible. Let’s secure our energy future together!

24. Ben Harroun Additional Resources: IWEA/ISEA Conference March 2nd 2011 Palatine Angel Wind Energy Inc. Open House Saturday Sept. 25th 9am-1pm Vice President/ Co-founder Angel Wind Energy Inc. 113 N Pine St Onarga IL 60955 Phone:815-383-7509 ben@angelwindenergy.com www.AWENERGY.com http://www.awea.org/smallwind/pdf/InThePublicInterest.pdf