Posts Tagged ‘wind energy’

Community Wind: What’s a guy to do?

December 22nd, 2009

With wind farms popping up across the countryside, Midwesterners are becoming much more familiar with wind energy.  Yet few are aware of the type of wind development called “community wind.” That should change, however, thanks to a new publication called “Lessons & Concepts for Advancing Community Wind,” which was recently released by the Minnesota Project. 

 

What is Community Wind?

Without drawing much attention to it, I’ve talked about community wind before.  In a nutshell, community wind involves local ownership of wind turbines.  The electricity produced by the turbines is usually sold to area utilities. 

This model flies in the face of traditional wind farms, where a company builds and operates large wind farms.  Because wind energy is the focus of their business, these companies develop both the expertise and economy of scale that drives down the cost of production. 

But the downside to the traditional model is that it is dependent on the development of new transmission lines and causes a greater share of the financial impact from the turbines to bypass the local economy. 

 

Why aren’t there more community wind projects?

A simple answer to the question is that people who try to develop their own wind projects don’t know how to overcome the barriers that pop up in the development process.  “Lessons & Concepts for Advancing Community Wind” attempts to address these issues by providing case studies of three community wind projects:  City of Willmar, MN; Winona County MN; and Miner County, SD.  These three projects were selected for review because each took a very different path to completion.    

I’ve written about both the Miner County and Winona County projects before (see here and here).  The “Lessons & Concepts” guide, however, digs in much deeper.  It would have been nice to have had this guide back in 2001 when we developed the Miner County Wind Project.   

And that’s the value of the guide.  It’s intended to help people with little background in the energy industry build their capacity and understanding. 

We’ve fielded a lot of calls at the Rural Learning Center through the years from people asking how we developed the Miner County Wind Project. We’re always happy to help. But time is so short that we often hang up having only scratched the surface on the subject.  

That’s why the next time I receive such a call, I’m going to recommend the caller read “Lessons & Concepts for Advancing Community Wind” first.  I’m confident doing so will make our conversation more productive. 

Update:  David Tidball from Windustry offers some great advice in the comment section to this post.  For instance, he pointed out the “Communit Wind Toolbox” that Windustry has developed, as well as other great information on community wind (found here).  Thanks David.

Other resources

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Wind Energy Jobs outgrow Coal Jobs

December 1st, 2009

Thanks to a post on The Rural Blog, I stumbled across this old article from the Fortune Magazine blog touting an American Wind Energy study that claims more people are employed in wind energy than in coal mining.  My first reaction was “can this be true?”

With two wind energy companies located in tiny Howard, SD (pop. 1080), I recognize the importance of green job development to the future of Midwestern rural communities.  But I had no idea the wind industry now employs 85,000 workers compared to approximately 81,000 workers in the coal mining industry.

With that in mind, however, I’d like to caution people not to jump to the conclusion that there are more jobs in the wind energy industry than the coal industry.  The statistics speak only to coal mining.  Just as mechanization has led to the transfer of jobs from farming to the agro-industrial sector, the coal industry has also seen the movement of jobs from coal mining to industry related activities like the manufacturing of coal mining equipment.

What I like about the wind energy industry is that it makes business sense to locate the new jobs they create in rural communities close to wind resources.  Howard is a perfect example.

If you are interested in joining the conversation about job creation in wind energy, I’d encourage you to get to know the South Dakota Wind Energy Association.  Today, they are hosting their Annual Meeting in Pierre, SD. 

You can also become an “Advocate Member” of the association by visiting their website.  It’s easy and free. The wind energy industry is not going to save every rural community, but it can create a positive effect on many.

Photo Credit: Green for All - Flickr

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Smart Grid - Can we Trust it?

November 10th, 2009

News reached us two weeks ago that many South Dakotans are going to get a first peak at smart grid technology. That opportunity became a reality through stimulus money being awarded to several South Dakota utilities, enabling them to purchase smart meters for residential homes. 

The goal for the smart meters, which track electric consumption on a real time basis, is to provide customers and utilities with the information needed to better manage electricity usage. 

Today, however, we learn that some individuals fear this technology will be an intrusion into their personal lives and won’t help achieve the goal of saving money through conservation.  That observation comes from a Sioux Falls Argus Leader story titled “Smart meters touted for ability to help conserve, but critics are skeptical.“  

I understand the privacy concerns, and I do think more thought needs to go into the rules governing how the information is stored and used.  But as SD Public Utilities Commission Chairman Dusty Johnson states in the Argus Leader story, it’s the job of the PUC to protect consumers, and I trust them in this regard.

Other reasons to support Smart Grid

In addition to the argument that smart meters will help reduce consumption, I’d like to offer a few other reasons I think the benefits of smart grid technology outweigh the concerns over privacy. 

First, I hope that putting smart meters in people’s homes will help people better understand how our electric system works.  Generally, the system is a mystery to Americans.  How is the energy that reaches our home produced? Why is energy during peak demand more expensive?  What can be done to increase the amount of renewable energy in production? 

Second, I believe that investing in smart grid technology will help rebuild an archaic grid system.  As one energy expert writes “Basically, we’re talking about a 19th century system from the days of Edison and Westinghouse that uses 20th century equipment in an effort to keep up with a 21st century economy.” (See “Electronomics: Why We Need Smart Grid Technology and Infrastructure Today”)  That just a recipe for disaster.

Third, I see increased development of renewable energy sources (like wind energy) because of smart grid technology. We know that the intermittency of wind energy creates a barrier for the industry.  With better management software being developed as a part of smart grid technology, we should expect to see renewable energy sources becoming a bigger part of the energy mix. 

And finally, I hope that this initial investment in smart meters will be the first step in producing a microgrid system that turns consumers into producers by using smart grid technology to produce more energy locally.  Back in July, Fast Company published a great article on this subject titled “Why the Microgrid Could be the Answer to our Energy Crisis.”  The vision in the article may be a bit utopian, but I believe it’s a vision worth reaching for.   

So, what’s the connection here to rural communities?  Obviously, rural communities stand to benefit from increased renewable energy production.  And all consumers, will benefit from reduced electricial usage.  I’m sure there are other benefits, as well as risks.   I would invite others to share their thoughts as I continue to learn about this subject. 

Photo Credit:  Beige Alert - Flickr

 

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SD Public Radio talks Green Jobs

November 6th, 2009

South Dakota Public Radio aired a report yesterday focused on green job development in Howard, SD.  Individuals can listen to it here.

The story, reported by Charles Michael Ray, noted that the community stands to benefit from the creation of additional “green jobs” if the Climate Bill passes Congress.  It goes on to note that some community members fear that it will have an adverse affect on their livelihoods.  

What captured my attention, however, was a quote offered by Robert Mommaerts, who oversees the molding process for the wind turbine blades manufactured by Knight & Carver in Howard.  He said:

Not only do I enjoy my job but I enjoy the fact that I’m making a difference in the world by doing my job,” Mommaerts says.  ” I’ve always been interested in alternative energy and being able to actually help make it a reality is just that much more enriching for me,” he says.

Mommaerts goes on to tell Ray that he wants to live in a rural place like Howard because it offers “a safe, wholesome place to raise a family.”

Green Jobs are important

There’s little doubt that creating jobs has been an important part of Howard’s recent economic success. But Mommaerts reminds us that young people today don’t just want any job:  they often want a job that also allows them to make a difference (read more on Gen Y characteristics here.)

That is something that more economic development professionals may want to think about as they work to establish new businesses.  Perhaps all jobs are not created equal.  Especially not if the goal is to attract young people.

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Winona invests in wind

September 21st, 2009

News comes to us from Minnesota announcing a partnership enabling Winona County to become “the first county in Minnesota to develop renewable energy to benefit taxpayers.” (see “County finalizes wind turbine project,” Winona Daily News)

This sounds very similar to what the City of Howard accomplished back in 2001 when it became the first municipality in the state to own and operate wind turbines. (The two other communities in Miner County–Carthage and Canova–followed suit in 2002.)

Although similar in many ways, the two projects appear to differ in their desired outcome.  Howard’s motivation revolved around assisting a start-up wind energy company and developing a stronger community brand. Winona’s goals, on the other hand, appear to be to provide a model for wind energy development and develop a revenue source for economic development efforts.  (According to the article, the Winona County Economic Development Authority could receive up to $1.12 million from the sale of electricity over the next 20 years.)

The ability of the wind project to deliver over a million dollars in revenue to the Winona Count EDA will only be proven by time.  But I think the community leaders should be congratulated for looking at the wind development as a source of revenue for economic development.

 

Why investments like this are important

It has been the experience of the Rural Learning Center that most rural communities know they need to invest in economic development, but few have or want to use tax dollars to invest in those efforts.  If not tax dollars, then what?

Admittedly Winona’s investment doesn’t come without risks, and questioning public investment in private sector business is a legitimate concern.  But there’s little doubt that the Winona model points the way to one option for funding community development activities.

It also raises the question:  What is your community doing to fund economic and community development for your community? 

Note: Thanks go to Dakota Rural Action for tweeting about this project. (and who says Tweeting is a waste of time?)  And thanks to Linda Grover, Director of the Winona County Economic Development Authority, for answer a few questions.

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A Remarkable Event, for Rural Places Everywhere

August 28th, 2009

The Rural Learning Center is celebrating the beginning of a new phase in their history next week.  On Wednesday, September 2nd the Rural Learning Center will break ground on the Maroney Rural Learning Center.  The center will house renewable energy and rural community training space, a restaurant, kitchen and hotel in a certified LEED Platinum building, all on Howard’s Main Street. 

The Maroney Rural Learning Center is part of the ongoing, strategic work of the Rural Learning Center, which has been working in Howard and surrounding Miner County for the past 15 years on economic development, housing development, and growing capacity of local leaders and organizations.  The expanded facility will allow the Rural Learning Center to host community based groups who come to learn about community development and an innovative renewable energy job training program, specifically.  Additional uses for the facility include space for local gatherings and rural conferences/ trainings.

The groundbreaking program will feature partners of the Rural Learning Center, including Pam Flaherty, President and CEO of Citi Foundation, Ken Stork, President and CEO of Citibank South Dakota, Kevin Walker, President and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation, and Bob Sutton, President of the South Dakota Community Foundation.  Pam Flaherty (Citi Foundation) will present a $250,000 grant to the Rural Learning Center specifically in support of their efforts to building the Maroney Rural Learning Center and the renewable energy job training program. 

Event details follow.  We hope to see you on Wednesday!

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Green jobs in Rural America

August 21st, 2009

Most of the talk about green job development has focused on urban areas, especially depressed, inner cities.  But yesterday the conversation turned towards Rural America, and what’s already been accomplished there.

The conversation was initiated by Repower America, who held a press conference in Howard, SD to show their support for The American Clean Energy and Security Act.  The organization believes the legislation could help bring 5,000 new jobs to South Dakota. 

Because it is home to two wind energy companies, Howard (pop. 1071) was the perfect community to showcase this potential.  Those two companies, Knight & Carver Wind Group and Energy Maintenance Service, offer good paying jobs that have helped diversify the town’s economy.

What’s exciting is that this is just the start. An article in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader quotes Sam Brown, Knight & Carver’s President saying:

South Dakota “has made it easy to come here,” Brown said. “We’re interested in staying - and expanding. This legislation helps us move in that direction.”

There are a lot of pros and cons to this proposed legislation, and I’ll let readers make up their own minds on it.  But I hope people keep in mind that green job development has already stimulated the economy of at least one rural community.  And that the future could be even greater. 

Photo: Gary Kanaby, Knight & Carver VP of Sales, speaks at the groundbreaking ceramony in Aug. 2006.

Note: Howard was an early pioneer in wind energy industry.  Back in 2001, they became the first community in South Dakota to own and operate their own wind turbines.

PS (8-24-09) –Based on a few a few conversations I’ve received since first publishing, some people may have taken this post as advocacy for The America Clean Energy and Security Act.  Admittedly, I don’t know enough about the legislation to take a strong stance for or against it.  What I do hope to see more support for is smart grid technology. It offers the opportunity for the innovation needed to bring clearner sources of energy into the mainstream.  To learn more, read here and here.

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SDWEA sponsors wind energy meeting

April 17th, 2009

Last night I attended a community wind energy meeting, sponsored by the South Dakota Wind Energy Association (SDWEA), in Clear Lake, SD.  After a short presentation by the organization’s executive director, Steve Wegman, the event was opened up for Questions and Answers.  A lot of good discussion followed.  Some of what I learned is listed below: 

The SDWEA is a new organization (formed in Jan. 2009) for the purpose of spurring wind development in South Dakota.  During his presentation, Wegman emphasized the organization’s desire to bring together all parties (developers, landowners, utilities, concerned citizens, etc…) to advance the cause of wind energy.  The organization also wants to emphasize the importance of local economic development in rural South Dakota where most wind development occurs.  You can learn more about the SDWEA (including joining the organization) at their website.

We heard bits and pieces about the Green Power Express. It is a bold plan, and would most likely benefit wind development in SD. The SDWEA hasn’t taken an official stance on the plan yet because the details are still unfolding.  Following the meeting, however, I heard some skepticism from a few industry insiders concerning the likelihood of this project getting off the ground. 

With the majority of individuals present being landowners and citizens, it wasn’t surprising that much of the conversation revolved around landowner issues.  The SDWEA definitely wants to help educate landowners on issues like leases and easements, and has created list of resources for landowners on their website (click here). 

There was an interesting discussion on the topic of community and cooperative wind development.  In short, the conversation centered on whether it makes sense for landowners to try to develop wind projects themselves, or whether it’s better to let wind developers pay them for the placing turbines on their land.  Wegmen did a nice job of explaining the issue using the concept of “risk vs. reward”.  Landowners can and do develop their own cooperative wind projects.  This type of venture offers the greatest risk to the landowner because it takes a lot of money just to get the idea off the ground; and there’s no guarantee the project will succeed.  But the financial reward is also greater if the project does succeed.  Even with the risk, Wegmen recommended landowners consider this option if for no other reason than it is a good learning experience.    They can always work with a developer later on if their efforts don’t pan out. 

I thought one of the best ideas thrown out by someone in the crowd was the recommendation that the SDWEA look at the possibility of advocating for the use of public dollars as seed money to help landowners seeking to get cooperative ventures off the ground. 

Overall the evening was filled with good information, and I appreciate the SDWEA’s sponsor the event.  They have another meeting scheduled in Murdo, SD for April 22. I hope the association continues meetings of this nature throughout the year, and I hope citizens take advantage of the opportunity to educate themselves about this important topic for rural South Dakota.

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The Growth of Wind Energy

April 15th, 2009

While working on the previous post earlier today, I was reminded how interesting it is to look at the growth of the wind energy industry.  For that reason, I’ve attached a map showing the current (as of Jan. 1, 2009) installed wind capacity across the United States.  Even more interesting is the animated map showing its growth over the last decade.  Developed by the US Department of Energy that maps really are a must see for anyone interested in the industry.

After viewing it, you should be able to answer the questions:  “How’s your state doing in the development of wind energy?”

Image source:  US Dept. of Energy, Renewable Energy Laboratory  — http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_installed_capacity.asp#history

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Job Development & the Green Power Express

April 15th, 2009

It’s no secret that South Dakota has tremendous potential to be a wind energy powerhouse.  Today, it appears the state has moved one step closer to that reality. 

Both of the above statements emerged as I read two articles this morning.  The first, titled “Wind Power Development in South Dakota:  Good for Jobs, Good for the Economy and Good for the Environment“ identifies the potential benefits of job development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship that wind energy industry provides.

Produced by the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELCP), the article is the latest in a serious of studies that show the benefits of the wind energy industry in the South Dakota economy. 

Back in October 2002, the ELCP unveiled their “Jobs Jolt” report to the South Dakota media at Energy Maintenance Services’ 6,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Howard, SD.  That report suggested that 3,800 jobs and $275 million in economic growth could be created in South Dakota by 2020 — if federal and state policy changes occurred. 

But the state still lags behind its potential.  As the “Wind Power Development in South Dakota” report  highlights, South Dakota has 188 MW of installed wind capacity.  That compares to Minnesota and Iowa each with over 1,200 MW of installed capacity.  The report also tells us there is over 4000 MW currently in the planning and development stages.  But that doesn’t guarantee they will be built.

So what needs to change to bring those wind turbines to SD?
Consistently we hear that transmission of energy produced in SD to more populated regions is the barrier.  In other words, it is an issue with an inadequate electrical grid system.

That’s why it was such good news to hear that the Green Power Express project took a step forward yesterday when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved incentives that would help construct this 3000 transmission “superhighway.”  (read more on that story here) 

Admittedly, I don’t know all the pro’s and con’s behind this project, but I love that it helps address the transmission barrier that prevents the development of the wind energy in South Dakota. 

 

Other stories about the Green Power Express

Map source:  The Green Power Express website  “Conceptual Map”

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