The CSU Green Power Project at Maxwell Ranch

1. The CSU Green Power Project at Maxwell Ranch

2. CSU Green Power Project - Vision Create an exceptional renewable energy project at an outstanding wind site to meet Colorado’s electric needs through best development practices while providing a unique, world-class research laboratory.

3. CSU Green Power Project – Key Players • CSURF (landowner) • Wind Holding LLC (developer) • EDAW (developer’s engineering firm) • CSU • President’s Environmental and Sustainability Committee • Bill Farland, Senior Vice President for Research & Engagement • Wade Troxell, Associate Dean in Engineering • Peter Young, Collaboratory’s wind energy center (CREW) • Ken Wilson, Wildlife baseline study • Ron Sega, Collaboratory’s energy efficiency center

4. CSU Green Power Project - Overview • History of Maxwell Ranch • Project Timeline • Research opportunities

5. CSU Green Power Project - History History of Maxwell Ranch • Acquired by CSURF in the 1970s for use by the university and for research purposes • Use historically agricultural • Wind turbines fit with agricultural and approved uses and research on site

6. 11,000 acre Maxwell Ranch NW of Fort Collins Research test bed integral to production wind plant Wind Power Plant Large area with proximity to energetic resource and transmission Plans are to provide renewable power to CSU, northern Colorado and possibly other higher education institutions in Colorado. 16 MW main campus peak power requirement Maxwell Ranch

7. CSU Green Power Project – Stakeholder meetings The following agencies and organizations have been involved thus far: • City of Fort Collins, Natural Areas Program • City of Fort Collins, Utilities • Larimer County Planning Department • Larimer County Parks and Open Lands • Larimer County Manager • Larimer County Economic Development • Platte River Power Authority • CSURF • CSU Vice President for Research • CSU Facilities

8. CSU Green Power Project - Proposal Why a wind farm? -CSU as the “Green University”: greening campus as well as developing clean and renewable energy solutions -CSU actively building its own renewable energy sources -Project would help CSU reduce its carbon footprint by 2020; one of a number of things CSU is doing to contribute to FortZED or the Fort Collins/CSU Zero Energy District

9. Wind Resources

10. CSU Green Power Project - Proposal “An area of excellent-to-outstanding resource is located along the Wyoming border north of Fort Collins.” -U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website

11. CSU Green Power Project - Proposal Process to date: 2007 -CSU announces Maxwell Ranch project; Wind Holding begins biological and wind studies 2008 -To address Maxwell Ranch project and other large proposed energy projects, Larimer County begins process to create new regulations; Wind Holding withholds permit application in good faith -Wind Holding readying permit application now that County Commissioners have approved regulations

12. CSU Green Power Project - Proposal

13. CSU Green Power Project - Proposal • Baseline Monitoring Protocol reviewed by CSU, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and the Colorado Division of Wildlife • Monitoring begun in Spring 2008 • Interim Findings in late Fall 2008 • 2 Years of Pre-Construction Monitoring Data • Post-Construction Monitoring Protocol

14. Larimer County Wildlife Habitat

15. CSU Green Power Project - Proposal • Under new county regulations that were approved Monday, Wind Holding on behalf of CSURF would submit applications for three concurrent permits: • 1. Wind turbines • 2. Transmission lines • 3. Substation

16. CSU Green Power Project – Research Numerous possibilities including, but not limited to: • Ecological research • Real-time meteorological tower modeling • Wind turbine design • Connections to the traditional power grid • Data collection and monitoring • Electromagnetic field interference • Social science research – effects on perspectives and value of surrounding community • Other biological studies • Economics and cost analysis of wind energy

17. What’s Going On • 1041 Regulation • Larimer County Commission approval – scheduled Oct. 20, 2008 • CSU Research Efforts • Wind on Wildlife (WOW) Impacts – Ken Wilson • Collaboratory CREW – Peter Young • Collaboratory Energy Efficiency – Ron Sega

18. InteGrid – Grid Simulation Laboratory Megawatt-scale in situ physical grid simulation capability. Tests and validates computer simulations with actual physical system dynamics when renewable generation sources (e.g., wind and solar) and other forms of distributed generation and loads are integrated into the electric power grid. Partnership with Spirae - a Colorado business, CSU’s Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory, and the Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster. FortZED Zero energy demonstration of DER for demand management from two substation feeders located in Fort Collins Old District that feeds a variety of users including commercial, CSU facilities, and city and county government offices. FortZED system will demonstrate the ability to reduce peak demand by engaging a variety of distributed generation and load shedding practices through comprehensive dispatch and control. East Coast blackout, 2003 Research Towards a Robust and ReliableElectric Grid

19. FortZED: To transform the UniverCity Connections district to a net zero energy user • What does reaching this goal • look like? • Local energy generation • Less energy use • A template and inspiration…

21. CSU Green Power Project - Research How do I get involved? Maxwell Ranch Research Planning Committee Contact Bill Farland at Bill.Farland@research.colostate.edu. Questions?