Wind Power Overview Treasury Feb 2009
- 1. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Power Issues OverviewUS Dept of TreasuryWashington DC Tom Hewson Energy Ventures Analysis IncArlington VirginiaHewson@evainc.comFebruary 2009
- 2. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Power Accounts for Only 0.66% of 2006 US Generation Non-hydro renewablesSource: Electric Power Monthly March 2007 (EIA-DOE), Renewable Annual 2006
- 3. Energy Ventures Analysis IncUS Wind Energy Capacity70% of existing capacity concentrated in 7 StatesTOTAL INSTALLED U.S. WIND ENERGY CAPACITY: 25,170 MW as of December 31, 2008Source: American Wind Energy Association website
- 4. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Generation Growth Fueled by State Renewable Portfolio Standards
- 5. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project Siting Issues Need high quality wind resources Large footprint, small power output Transmission investment needed to link high wind areas to urban areasWind power- Green but high cost alternativeTall Structures- Highly Visible Impact on local property values No air/water emissions but may pose other environmental health & safety challengesWind generation environmental/economic benefits
- 6. Energy Ventures Analysis IncUS Wind Resources-The higher the wind class, the lower the projected production costDOE’s NEMS Model considers Class 4 or higher winds needed (average winds >7 m/s or 15.5 mph)Source: Wind Energy Atlas of the United States (NREL)
- 7. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project Development Issues Large footprint, small power output Industry rule of thumb has been that a conventional 1.5 MW turbine design needs turbine spacing of roughly 40 acres of cleared land/turbine to avoid wind turbulence interference. AWEA believes 75 acres/turbine required for larger new turbine designs. To displace energy from New England’s smallest coal unit (Somerset) would require 167 turbines covering 22 miles of mountain ridge line. As turbines have gotten larger (up to 3.6 MW offered), minimum spacing requirements have also increased. Need spacing of roughly 8-10 blade lengths (4-5 rotor diameters) between turbines. Newer larger model designs may require spacing equivalent to 75-100 acres/turbine.
- 8. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project Development Issues Wind power- Green but high cost power alternativeHigh capital cost Low capacity utilization Little capacity credit towards reserve margin requirementsHeavily dependent upon large ratepayer & taxpayer subsidies and mandates to compete against conventional electrical power generation sources
- 9. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind- A High Cost AlternativeHigh Capital CostProject capital costs have been rapidly escalating due to high turbine demand, weak dollar and rapid increases in labor, materials and supplies Capital costs have escalated to $2,100-2,600/kWPoor Capacity Utilization29% in 2005 average for 83 reporting projectsLow Assigned Capacity Value towards reserve margin requirements5,000 MW of new wind project capacity required to offset need for one 500 MW fossil fired powerplant in New England
- 10. Energy Ventures Analysis Inc
- 11. Energy Ventures Analysis Inc2004 US Wind Project Capacity FactorsSource: US DOE Form 906 Data
- 12. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Production Cost Before Federal/State IncentivesProduction Costs are highly sensitive to projected project output performanceCapital Cost-- $2,100/kWFix O&M $35/kw-yrCost of Capital 13.3%@30% CF-$120/MWh
- 13. Energy Ventures Analysis IncRenewable Energy SubsidiesFederal Federal Production Tax Credit- $20/MWh for 2008 (10 years-must be online by 12/31/09). Accelerated 5 year depreciation (Federal) StateRenewable Portfolio Standards--Renewable energy credit market developed to implement standard. In one project analysis, these credits may exceed more than 25% of the project capital cost. State tax incentivesGreen power purchase programs Public Benefit funding for qualifying projects
- 14. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project IssuesTall Structures--Highly Visible Wind turbines can range from 320-510 highTaller than Statue of Liberty (305 feet high—112 feet without base)Turbine towers can range from 200-350 feet highTurbine rotor can range from 250-340 feet in diameterNight lights on structures for safety reasons
- 15. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project Development Issues Small contribution to county property taxesIn some states, energy producing equipment exempt from property taxes, taxable items may be limited to foundation and tower structureSome developers also apply for additional local tax relief. Impact on local property values7 Studies: Wind farms may have adverse property value impacts4 Studies: No adverse property value impacts
- 16. Energy Ventures Analysis IncEffects on Local Property Values– Few studies exist, some methodology flaws Several factors drive local property values– interest rates, local economic activity, supply/demand for area properties, recreational activities, etc. It is difficult to isolate market impact from wind turbines without conducting a large, long term assessment. Does it affect property demand ? Studies Concluding Wind Turbines Devalue Local Property Values2001-02 Lincoln Township WI study comparing property sales prices to assessed values before and after wind farm construction. Assessor reported that property sales (vs. 2001 assessed values) declined by 26% within 1 mile and by 18 % > 1 mile of its wind farm project. However, study includes related party transactions. Moratorium Committee survey of County residents reported 74% of respondents would not build/buy within ¼ mile, 61% within ½ mile and 59% within 2 miles of wind farm. May 2000 County Guardian article Case Against Windfarms– Observations of English surveyors concluding wind turbines significantly decrease property values by as much as 30%. Simple survey, no transaction data provided. 1996 Danish report Social Assessment of Wind Power-Visual Effect and Noise from Windmills- Quantifying and Valuation contained survey of 342 people living close to wind mills. Survey found 13% of people surveyed considered wind mills a nuisance and would be willing to pay 982 DKK per year to have them leave. Survey of house sale prices showed 16,200 DKK lower price near single windmills and 94,000 DKK lower price near wind farms versus similar houses located in other areas. Assessed values declined significantly for property adjoining Mackinaw City WTG after it started operation.
- 17. Energy Ventures Analysis IncEffects on Local Property Values– Few studies exist, some methodology flawsStudies Concluding Wind Turbines Devalue Local Property ValuesImpact of wind farms on the value of residential property and agricultural land: An RICS survey (November 2004) Khatri,2004 Survey by Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found 60% of respondents thought a wind farm would decrease value of residential properties within its view. Only 28% of the respondents thought a wind farm would decrease the value of surrounding agricultural land while 9% thought there would be a positive agricultural land value impact. Provided no analysis of value change or supporting transaction data. Economic Analysis of a Wind Farm in Nantucket Sound (May 2004) Haughton, Survey of land owners from 6 towns on Cape Cod. On average, home owners believe that the windmill project will reduce property values by 4.0%. Households with waterfront property believe that it will lose 10.9% of its value. Applying these survey results, the study estimated the total loss in property values resulting from the construction of an offshore wind farm to be over $1.3 billion, a sum that is substantially larger than the approximately $800 million cost of the wind farm itself. Provided no supporting transaction dataAppraisal Consulting Report- Forward Wind Project- Dodge County WI (May 2005) Zarem Appraisal report examining paired sales of electric transmission line in Wisconsin concluded that a wind farm would cause an estimated 17-20% lot value loss within view shed.
- 18. Energy Ventures Analysis IncEffects on Local Property Values– Few studies exist, some methodology flawsStudies Concluding Wind Turbines Do Not Devalue Local Property ValuesEconomic Impacts of Wind Power in Kittitas County (2002) ECONorthwest– Telephone survey of tax assessors views of 2 proposed Washington projects. Concluded no adverse property impacts. No supporting transaction data provided. Effect of Wind Development on Local Property Values (May 2003) Renewable Energy Policy Report examines property values in areas within 5 miles of surrounding 9 large wind farms. Concludes “presence of commercial scale wind turbines does not appear to harm property values.” Did not attempt to look at property values from within 1 mile due to limited data. Could not compare “like” properties. Roughly 70% of data was related party transactions and 72% of the data did not have actual views of the turbines. A Real Estate Study of the Proposed Forward Wind Energy Center Dodge & Fond du Lac Counties WI (May 2005) Poletti & Associates, Examined property sales records in Kewanee County Wisconsin and Lee County Illinois, had discussions with two town assessors, reviewed the two prior wind property studies above and reviewed property value impact studies of sanitary landfills. Concludes that the “Forward Wind Energy Center is so located as to minimize the effect on the value of the surrounding property.” Impacts of Windmill Visibility on Property Values in Madison County New York (April 2006) Hoen reviewed 280 homes sales within 5 miles of an operating wind farm and concluded that view of wind turbines in this county did not affect real estate values. Hoen cautions about applying conclusions to other non-similar settings.
- 19. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project Development IssuesNo air emissions but may pose other environmental health & safety challengesWildlife: Has caused bird and bat deaths if poorly located. Concerns raised when endangered species are in area Shadow Flicker: Strobe like effect caused by shadows of moving bladesNoise: Noise at turbine hub can range from 100-105 dBA. Can be noticeable for long distances in more remote areas with existing low ambient levels (Humans can differentiate sounds up to 3 dBA above background levels)
- 20. Energy Ventures Analysis IncEuropean Studies on Bird Fatalities
- 21. Energy Ventures Analysis IncSingle Wind Turbine Noise Level Model: NM-82 WTGWind Speed- 8m/s, relative humidity 80%, 50 degrees F, no attenuation from trees, terrain or barriers
- 22. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Project Development Issues No air emissions but may pose other environmental health & safety challengesAviation hazard: May cause radar interference. FAA can deny permits if turbine heights pose airport safety risk. Illinois Agricultural Aviation Association has adopted a resolution not to serve areas inside or immediately adjacent to wind turbine groupingsIce Throw: Turbines can throw ice accumulating on blades. Risk increases with decreasing distance.
- 23. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Siting Issues- Environmental Health & SafetyLocal ordinances for wind power development needed to protect public health & safety, minimize adverse environmental impacts and achieve land use planSetback provisionsNoiseVisibility– Address through limiting allowable sites and setting minimum project setbacks and height restrictions. Shadow Flicker– Address though minimum setbacks and/or WTG locationSafety (blade throw, ice throw, structural failure, ground clearance)– Use Setback & minimum clearance requirements. Setbacks can reach up to 2500 ft, Boone County– 2,000 feet setback provision, Bureau County– 750 minimum setback from any residence, Lee County– 1,400 feet from residences, 500 feet from roads; Pike County– minimum 3 times turbine+tower height from home9-10 Rotors recommended Height restrictionsExclude areas from development
- 24. Energy Ventures Analysis IncWind Siting Issues- Environmental Health & SafetyLocal ordinances for wind power development needed to protect public health & safety, minimize adverse environmental impacts and achieve land use planUnsafe & inoperable wind energy facilities– Require bond to cover cost of removal & site restoration. Interference with navigational systems– Location away from airport flight paths & locking mechanisms to limit airport radar interferenceNon-compliance penalties– Must remove facility if out-of-compliance
- 25. Energy Ventures Analysis IncClaimed Wind Project BenefitsNo air emissionsSO2/NOx emissions maybe displaced but are not avoided. Displaced generation can sell/transfer their emission credit to other stations/units. As environmental limitations continue to tighten, the amount of displaced emissions will continue to decrease. Projects will displace emissions of CO2 emissions from generation sources on margin (usually natural gas fired power facilities). However, if region has cap & trade program emissions may be displaced and not avoided. Reduced dependence on fossil fuelWind/renewable projects displace generating units on the margin– in New England mostly gas-fired generation Since wind power has no capacity value, power companies must still build new fossil fuel capacity to meet increase power demandLease payments to local property owners (>$1,000/turbine/year)Property owners often lose ability to develop their property during lease period (up to 30 years). In some cases, WTGs have devalued local surrounding property values and Commissions have ordered developers to pay adjoining landowners. Jobs Some temporary construction jobs created to erect wind turbines (0.7-2.6 jobs per turbine depending upon construction period). Few maintenance jobs (usually <10 for large wind farms). Some economic activity and jobs may be lost if higher power costs imposed onto local ratepayers through renewable portfolio standards.
- 26. Energy Ventures Analysis IncAvoided Emission Claims- Fact of Fiction? SO2 and NOx powerplant emissions are subject to cap and trade programs. Owner of any displaced emissions can sell surplus/unused credits to another emitting source allowing it to emit at levels above their initial allocation. Therefore, pollutants subject to cap & trade programs can be displaced but not avoided. In 2009, CO2 emissions from the power sector in 10 RGGI states will become subject to a cap & trade program. Two states have authorized CO2 cap & trade programs. Ten more states committed to starting one
- 27. Energy Ventures Analysis IncAvoided Emission Claims- Fact of Fiction? For any individual power project, avoided emissions should be a comparison of total power sector emissions with and without the stated project. Since most wind projects are being built to meet a state RPS requirement, the “without the project case,” would likely be another renewable energy project that would be built to meet the special set-aside RPS demand. Therefore, the correct comparison for a given individual project would be a comparison of emissions from the proposed wind project vs. another qualifying renewable project.