Distributed wind is a global industry and certification needs to be global as well.  SWCC has established agreements with certification bodies around the world so that manufacturers can test once and certify everywhere.  In addition, there are on-going global discussions about how to unify these global certification programs even more. 

 

As global work continues to unify certification for small and medium wind turbines, it is important to understand that developing local markets is a key factor in increasing the overall global market.  In Nevada, the NV Energy WindGenerations Program reopened.  

 

We also provide a profile of one of SWCC's Board members in our ongoing series.

 

Let me know if you have any questions or comments about SWCC activities.

 

Larry Sherwood
Executive Director

Global Reciprocity     

Given that there are a number of national certification schemes in operation around the globe, SWCC actively works to maintain a global perspective on wind turbine certification. We now have standing agreements with four certification bodies, three in the UK and one in Japan. It is recognized that there are differences between the SWCC certification process for North American and the certification schemes in the UK and Japan.  Since these schemes have similar criteria, the purpose of these agreements is to ensure that as much of the work as possible that has  been performed by one party is acceptable in order to facilitate certification by the other party.

 

In the UK, SWCC has signed agreements with TUV-NEL, BRE Global, and British Board of Agrément (BBA). In Japan, SWCC has signed an agreement with ClassNK. These agreements have enabled global certification of the Bergey Excel 6 and 10, Evance R9000, Kestrel e400nb, Kingspan KW6, Xzeres Skystream 3.7, and Xzeres 442SR.

 

NV Energy's WindGenerations incentive program has reopened with a new structure, rates, and certification requirements for wind energy systems up to 500 kW. Changes to the program include:

• Incentives will now be offered continually until funding is exhausted. Previously, when the program was oversubscribed, applications were selected by lottery.
• Incentives are now production-based for net metered systems, at 4.3 cents/kWh for Residential/Commercial/Industrial projects, and 8.61 cents/kWh for Low Income/Nonprofit/Public Entity projects paid over 5 years.
• To qualify for incentives, wind turbines must meet certification requirements.
  • Small wind turbines (swept area of up to 200 square meters) must be listed by the Interstate Turbine Advisory Council (ITAC). The ITAC list shows small turbines that have been certified through SWCC or another certification body to the AWEA Small Wind and Performance Standard (AWEA 9.1-2009). The current list of turbines certified by SWCC to the AWEA Standard is posted on the SWCC's website.
  • Medium turbines (swept area greater than 200 square meters) must be listed by ITAC or have a power performance measurement for the turbine according to IEC 61400-12-1 (power curve) from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited testing laboratory or by an organization that is ISO/IEC Guide 65 or EN45011 accredited to certify to this standard. SWCC meets these requirements, and SWCC-certified Medium turbines can be viewed here.

For more information and the current status of program budget, visit NVEnergy.com/wind.

 

Mike Bergey: SWCC Board Member Representing Industry Section