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Alternative Energy Committee - Frequently Asked
Alternative Energy Committee - Frequently Asked Questions Question: Where would a wind turbine be sited?
Answer: The wind turbine would be sited on town owned land that has sufficient open space and wind resources. Possible sites under investigation include the Transfer Station and Turkey Hill. Both of these present logistical concerns and conservation restrictions that need to be addressed.
Additionally there are options under consideration that could allow for the placement of smaller turbines at the High School and or Dear Hill. Placement of turbines on school grounds could allow us to feed the energy directly into the school thus providing us with free (or very low cost) electricity.
Question: At what stage is the process?
Answer: We are working on the collection of wind resource data. Before a final wind turbine site selection can be made, it is necessary to collect wind resource data for 12 months, using a 40 to 50 meter meteorological (MET) tower bearing anemometry equipment. The MET tower is a temporary structure that must be placed at or near the intended wind turbine site. We are investigating different options besides erecting a temporary tower such as using existing cell phone towers on 3A or at Turkey Hill.
Question: What happens next?
Answer: Assuming that the wind resource data proves to be adequate and the town approves the selected site, a RFP would be issued to private developers interested in implementing the project. The town would then enter a lease arrangement with the developer.
Question: May the town own the wind turbine directly?
Answer: Yes. However, under this scenario there is a trade off: the town would collect all the benefits but would also incur the risks and bear the responsibilities of operating the wind turbine. The more common approach being pursued by other towns is to lease the land to an experienced private developer.
Question: What is this costing and what will it cost the town?
Answer: Nothing so far. The early stages may qualify for grants in the form of services from the state of the MTC (Massachusetts Technology Collaborative). If the town decides to pursue the project there will be costs associated with technical consultants and legal counsel. The project itself will be financed by a combination of private developer’s equity and debt.
Question: What will the town gain by doing this?
Answer: That will depend on the available wind resources, the size of the turbine, and on the ownership structure. There are significant non-monetary benefits as well: a wind turbine does not emit greenhouse gases (CO2, SO x, NO x). When fossil fuel based energy is replaced with a renewable energy source such as wind, greenhouse gas emissions are avoided.
Question: I have heard the wind turbines kill birds, is this going to be problem?
Answer: Modern turbine designs have virtually eliminated the risk of bird kills. Years ago early designs had the turbine blades spinning at extremely rapid speeds and they did harm birds.
Today’s equipment, as you see in Hull, spin at much slower rates and there are few if any documented bird kills. Hull Wind 1, located by the town High School, has no documented bird kills after several years of operation. The AEC has seen movies and scientific reports showing that birds fly around turbine blades, not through them. The truth is birds run a greater risk of injury by cats, flying into windows, or being hit by moving vehicles.
Question: I am concerned about noise; will the turbine keep me awake at night?
Answer: Given the slow speed modern turbines rotate at, the sound created is very minimal. In most cases noise you will hear is little more than a low ‘swish’ or ‘whirr’. On calm nights when the wind is not blowing you will hear nothing. The turbine does not spin without the wind.
On those gusty fall and winter days when the turbine is spinning, the sound of the trees and leaves blowing in the wind will be greater. The most noise is found at the base of the tower, as you move 50 to 100 feet away very little can be heard. The AEC has held meetings standing under both Hull turbines, we were able speak with each other at normal level; there was no need to raise our voices to be heard.
Question: Why not solar?
Answer: Solar remains an option but our New England winters makes solar very expensive. Solar electricity and solar hot water are areas we are working on, but the higher cost and lower return on our money makes these projects longer term projects.
Question: How many wind turbines do you plan to build?
Answer: Our first goal is have the town approve the placement of one turbine, We all need to get comfortable with the machine. In all cases, the AEC will present before Town Meeting for your approval to go forward with our ideas.
For further information:
American Wind Energy Association http://www.ifnotwind.org/default.shtml
Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy http://www.ceere.org/rerl/about_wind/
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative http://www.masstech.org/index.asp
Town of Hull MA Wind Turbines
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