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Wind Project
for the
High School and Middle School
A Feasibility Study
The following is the report on our wind power feasibility study.
It repesents over two years of volunteer efforts by our committee.
The Executive Summary follows. Links to the entire report are below.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In December 2004 the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee (PEDC) initiated steps to see if the use of wind power would
be a revenue generator for the Town. The PEDC formed a Sustainable Energy Subcommittee that verified that wind energy was
the best near-term technology to pursue.
Seizing upon emerging programs to assist communities to develop “green power” alternatives the PEDC secured both a
$25K grant from the State and a Federally sponsored option to issue $2.6 million in zero interest Clean Renewable Energy
Bonds (CREBs) for a turbine project that specified constructing wind turbines at either or both of the High School and
Middle School. The school project sites were chosen based on the fact that each school represents a significant portion of
the Town’s electrical consumption and the land is Town-owned.
Wind Resource and Economic Analysis Contract. Using part of the $25,000 grant, the Town contracted with an expert
wind resources firm, Advanced Technology and Management (ATM), to conduct analyses that were critical to ensuring that
there was sufficient wind resource to create a positive return on investment. ATM performed a detailed wind resource analysis,
a detailed energy use analysis, an electrical interconnection assessment, and a financial analysis for both the High School
and the Middle School. Within the scope of ATM’s study, no fatal flaws were identified that would prevent the development of
a wind turbine project. The base concept cases considered for turbines were (1) 600 kW or 1.5 mW at Middle School, (2) 600
kW or 1.5 mW at High School, or both. The ATM study shows that positive revenue over the life of the installation is achieved
for all four cases considered in the study.
PUC and Other Regulations. Existing RI PUC regulations require power companies to buy back “green” power
generated by private users at “wholesale” rates. This makes the economic model where the majority of the electrical energy
is consumed behind a single electric meter (like either of the two schools) much more attractive. The school property is
Town-owned, provides significant open space with minimal environmental impact and ample open space for staging and construction.
Safety considerations included physical failure of major components, electrical safety and electromagnetic fields. All
reviews indicated no harmful effects and any hazards from physical failure extremely remote. The construction will conform
to all existing Town zoning ordinances except for a variance for turbine height, similar to that approved for the Portsmouth
Abbey wind turbine. The wind turbine is expected to be within FAA regulations and an application for an FAA permit has been
submitted.
Public Information and Opinion. The PEDC conducted an aggressive campaign to educate the Town Council
and the public on the project. This included a workshop with the Town Council, establishing a sustainable energy web site,
conducting a series of public forums, working with the print and visual media and conducting a survey of residents in
proximity to the schools; a random sample and voluntary submissions (more than 75% of all respondents favored a wind generator
at the Middle School and /or the High School). The Town also requested and received authority from the State to conduct a bond
referendum to gauge voter approval of the project (House bill 5217 / Senate bill 260).
Conclusions. This PEDC wind energy project study concluded the following:
a. Physical Siting
- The turbine installations proposed meets physical and electrical construction requirements
- The location of the turbines at each site provides optimum location considering wind resource and proximity
to the school and abutting properties. Some residences (e.g., on the opposite side of the Middle School) fall
within the 1036 foot proposed zoning circle.
b. Community Issues
-Based upon our public workshops and surveys of individuals in the community there is overwhelming positive
support for the project. There is a very small amount of negative reaction. Most people feel well informed on the
wind project.
c. Environment and Health
- There are no health hazards or risks associated with the turbine project above those associated with the current
electrical supply systems at either school.
- The wind turbines will not adversely affect the environment.
d. Permitting
- The turbines will conform to existing zoning regulations, except that a variance will be required for the turbine height.
- Authorization from the FAA has been submitted for the Middle School site. The request is pending.
e. Wind Resources and Economics
- Positive Economic Return - Based upon a worst-expected case analysis, there is sufficient wind at the project site to
support generation of wind turbine power with a positive economic net present value over the lifetime of every case postulated.
- Compelling Evidence for the Middle School Site. The economic analysis associated with the construction of a 1.5 mW turbine
at the Middle School is the clear best investment case that is expected to return over $3 million to the Town over its minimum
expected life.
- Further Potential Economic Enhancements. The following potential scenarios will further enhance the positive return on investment.
- Any increase in electricity cost above the conservative predictions used in the analysis.
- Legislation that improves the rate of return on power supplied to the electrical grid.
- Any years beyond the minimum expected 20-year life the turbine is in operation.
- Any enhancements the Town makes to increase power consumption behind the electric meter during times of excess generation
capacity.
Recommendation: The PEDC recommends that the Town conduct the referendum authorized by State law and approve
construction of a 1.5 mW wind turbine at the Middle School. A workshop with the Town Council will focus on the “next steps”
beyond the voter referendum based on the two possible results: voter approval or voter rejection. While we are
confident that the voters will agree with our recommendations we will endeavor to present clear options for both cases.
Basic Study Report.