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March 7, 2012

 

Distributed Wind 2012

A Note from AWEA Small Wind Chair, Andy Kruse  

Is distributed wind coming of age? In recent years we have seen both large scale wind and solar PV grow at unprecedented rates. But the better story comes from the customer. Renewables has often had that persona that it's experimental or too expensive and not quite right for "me" but in the last five years that has changed. Renewable energy is part of the new norm. So why is that good for distributed wind and why should you attend DW12?

 

People are not necessarily looking at a single technology as the answer. They are looking at "renewable energy" as the answer whether it is for a remote home, a farm or a telecom tower. Given the right wind conditions, distributed wind still can still deliver the lowest cost of energy of any small scale renewable technology. Mix that with solar and you have a powerful solution to reduce or eliminate diesel fuel consumption or that pesky electric bill.

 

It's this and so much more that you will learn when attending DW12. You will learn about a number of companies that have and are designing, manufacturing, selling and installing distributed wind systems. You will learn about how the industry has developed standards to help ensure you or your customer will get what they pay for, you will learn about new emerging markets and trends within the industry. These are just a few of topics you will take home with you.

 

This is no ordinary event - It's DWEA's first independent meeting of the top players of distributed wind and its being held in our Nation's Capital. The very core of the program is focused on distributed scale wind rather than just being a track. Most importantly, you will understand firsthand why there are so many new markets moving towards distributed wind.

 

Also scheduled for the week is time on Capitol Hill to meet your Representative. If you have read any of the papers lately, every energy technology from oil to wind to solar is there attempting to secure their position in America's energy strategy. If we are not there, we won't be part of the plan. Using our well-seasoned lobbyist, we will meet with a number of Representatives to make sure they know our position in helping secure distributed wind is part of the energy mix.

 

Time is short, this conference is in just a few short weeks and it's also just in time for the Cherry blossoms which will enshroud the city. See you there!

 

Andy Kruse, Southwest Windpower 

Chair, AWEA Small Wind Committee 

 

 

 Installation of the Month   

 

Award-winning Public Works Facility Reaps Benefits of Distributed Wind

Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy serves as learning opportunity for Kansas communities interested in wind energy

 

 

Riley County Public Works (RCPW), in partnership with GBA Architects + Engineers and Kansas State University, obtained a $3 million grant to engage communities in Resourceful Kansas. This outreach program is intended to assist participants throughout the state of Kansas in making a fundamental shift towards an energy-efficient economy. As included in the grant, RCPW received over $1 million in renewable energy technology. A 100kW, 40kW, 20kW and 2.4kW are all featured on-site to demonstrate the benefits of wind. Manufacturers include Northern Power Systems, Enertech, Inc., Jacobs Wind Energy Systems, and Southwest Windpower.

 

GBA was responsible for turnkey services to install the turbines which consisted of civil engineering design; structural engineering; electrical engineering design; environmental, local and federal permitting; utility interconnection, net metering and coordination; technology selection and siting; construction management during infrastructure construction and technology installation.

 

In the second half of 2011, the wind turbines at RCPW conserved over 125,000 kWh. Three more Resourceful Kansas seminars will be held in the coming months and more than 45 organizations will receive an opportunity to attend these remaining sessions. Find out if your organization is eligible to apply for Resourceful Kansas by visiting www.resourcefulkansas.org.

   

 


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SideNavPolicy News

DWEA's State Policy Committee (SPC) is focusing efforts in priority states, identified through a ranking process that evaluated current state environments, opportunities, and potential markets, including:

 

1)      NY: Secured lobbying funding to seek equal billing with solar.

2)      CA: Seeking improved and extended incentives for installations and "small wind friendly" counties.

3)      Ontario: Met with and submitted comments to Ministries of the Environment and Energy to boost interest in microFiT rates.

4)      IA: Supporting introduction of FiT SF225 and tax credit SF516.

5)      WA: Activated members to support streamlined permitting bill; submitted comments for interconnection proceeding.

6)      KS: Submitted comments supporting 3 MW net metering expansion SB 383 and tax credit.

7)      HI: Postponed efforts due to redistricting; FiT review to launch in summer/fall.

8)      WI: Supporting efforts to resurrect Focus on Energy program.

9)      MA: Submitting comments to MassDEP on Wind Turbine Health Impact study.

10)   MN: Submitted comments on net metering.

 

The SPC is developing "guiding principles" to establish a basis for state policy positions, soliciting input from members to flesh out a state policy platform.

 

 

  

       
SideNaviCommittee Corner  

 

DWEA does Webinars!

 

On February 17, the DWEA Education Committee hosted the second in a series of Webinars to edit and improve the Best Practices in Tower Climbing and Safety for Small Wind document that was first introduced at the 2011 Small Wind Conference in Wisconsin.

 

Since its debut, the document has undergone many positive changes. Thanks to the Webinars, we are able to meet and gather input from distributed wind energy enthusiasts regardless of geographical location. We still have a lot of work to do before it's ready for publication, so please keep your suggestions coming! You can find the latest version of the document at http://smallwindconference.com under the Resources tab.


If you have any questions about the document, or would like to participate in the editing process, please contact:

Jenny Heinzen at [email protected].