Wind energy team

Members Irene Shonle Dennis Kaan Mike Kostrzewa, PE, Director, CSU Wind Application Center Rebecca Cantwell, Colorado Harvesting Energy network

What is the potential of wind? The U.S. Department of Energy has announced a goal of obtaining 6% of U.S. electricity from wind by 2020 Wind power could provide 20% of U.S. electricity needs by 2030

Colorado is 11 th best state for wind resource

8 th in nation for installed wind projects

Overview of wind

Is my site windy enough? Evaluating resource is first and most important step –Anemometer loan program data – P/ALP_Sites.htmwww.engr.colostate.edu/AL P/ALP_Sites.htm –Wind map

Turbine siting important Tower height Trees/other objects need to be at least 300 feet away

Scale of wind Small wind: for home owners, small businesses to offset electrical usage Big wind – leasing land to a wind developer can provide farmers/ranchers with steady income –95% of land still useable –Need at least 60 acres per megawatt

Emerging – Community wind Municipalities, large organizations own their own turbines –Local jobs, local benefits Only example in CO right now is of Lamar and Springfield “piggybacking” onto large wind farm –Presence of large farm allowed these towns to buy five 1.5 MW turbines NECO wind in Sedgwick, Philips, and Logan Counties will soon construct 400 MW Farm

Potential issues Zoning –Varies by county, municipality Wildlife Noise Viewshed Transmission (big wind only) Difficult to find good information, independent testing

To learn more: –Come to agent training in spring (TBA) February? Eastern Plains? –In-depth resources on website –New fact sheets Small wind - finished Big wind -under review Understanding wind resources -under development

Upcoming from team Working on national wind curriculum with 8 other states –Wind webinars –more fact sheets on eXtension Small wind turbine to be installed outside Gilpin Extension Office