Developers Catch the Wind as an Engery SourceBy Diane Kittower
To assess the wind power (expressed as wind speed) in an area, you can either estimate or take a precise measurement, which will cost more. It costs nothing to look at wind maps of your site's area -- there are several Web sites that offer them (
rredc.nrel.gov/wind/pubs/atlas,
www.nrel.gov/wind/statemaps.html, and
ncdc.noaa.gov).
Airports and weather bureaus often have wind-monitoring stations and will share the information freely. Ask them where their stations are, so you know how close and how similar their situation is to yours.
Use your eyes, too. Are trees bent or deformed after years of wind blowing on them from one direction?
If you want to pin down the wind speed, you'll need an anemometer, which costs $500 to $1,500. It measures both speed and direction and can be rented or bought. If possible, put the anemometer at the same elevation as the top of the wind turbine tower would have. Monitor the anemometer for a period of time to get enough consistent data.
Looking for case studies, statistics, wind power maps, and resources? Start here.American Wind Energy Association, Washington, D.C.
www.awea.orgBergey Windpower Co.
www.bergey.comDatabase of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)
www.dsireusa.orgInnovative Power Systems
www.ips-solar.comNational Renewable Energy Library PIX Photo Collection
www.nrel.gov/data/pixNational Wind Coordinating Committee
www.nationalwind.orgWind Power Monthly
www.wpm.co.nzWind Powering America
www.eren.doe.gov/windpoweringamericaEarth Policy Institute
www.earth-policy.orgRenewable Energy Policy Project and Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology
www.crest.org--
Diane Kittower is based in Rockville, Md.Back to Developers Catch the Wind as an Engery SourceBIG BUILDER Magazine, March 2002