linkedin youtube twitter facebook

Community Wind Energy Services

Community Wind projects typically consist of 10 turbines or less with local or community ownership. They may be for a school district, college, city or public utility or a state agency regional facility. Their purpose is to aid the local economy or offset energy costs for their users. Various funding sources and energy credits may be available dependent on the size and ownership of the project.


Feasibility investigations are usually completed in a phased program, with recommendations and decision points at the completion of each phase. A sample outline is as follows:

PHASE 1 — PROJECT OVERVIEW

  • Meet with client to determine expectations
  • Estimate available wind speeds
  • Review potential funding sources
  • Estimate preliminary wind power costs
  • Letter report on general recommendations and project feasibility
  • Decision on whether to move forward to Phase 2

 

PHASE 2 — PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT STUDY

  • Develop wind map for study area
  • Meet with Stakeholders: objectives, goals, available funding sources
  • Review site impacts: locations, transmission costs, environmental constraints
  • Determine potential power supply cost savings, wholesale power costs
  • Discussions with local power supplier
  • Complete economic analysis and return on investment
  • Review project risks
  • Draft and present Assessment Study
  • Decision on whether to move forward to Phase 3


PHASE 3 — FULL WIND GENERATION STUDY

  • In-depth analysis of power supply cost savings renewable energy credits
    and financing options
  • Determine site suitability:
  • Shadow Flicker
  • Noise levels
  • FAA acceptance
  • Communication system interference
  • Electrical power quality impacts on local distribution system
  • Develop graphic visualizations of turbine(s)
  • Develop maps, drawings and electrical one-line diagrams
  • Review project risks
  • Draft and present Comprehensive Report
  • Decision on whether to move forward with Construction Phase

 

Once a project is determined feasible, Bolton & Menk, Inc. can provide your Community Wind project with the following Design and Construction Services:

  • Site acquisition
  • Site permitting
  • Surveying
  • Civil engineering
  • Interconnection and electrical design
  • Equipment procurement
  • Overall project planning and management


For more information about Bolton & Menk's Community Wind Energy Services
or to discuss your specific project, please contact:


Kevin Bittner, P.E.
Senior Project Manager
7533 Sunwood Drive NW
Suite 206
Ramsey, MN 55303
(763) 433-2851
(763) 427-0833 fax
kevinbi@bolton-menk.com

 

Neil Guess, P.E., L.S.
Senior Project Manager
2730 Ford Street
Ames, IA 50010-0668
(515) 233-6100
(515) 233-4430 fax
Cell (515) 509-6177
neilgu@bolton-menk.com