Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
unable to strike a deal, a non-nuisance rule still has the potential to lead to
inefficient outcomes.
For similar reasons, a simple non-nuisance rule can also lead to sub-optimal
wind turbine siting in regions where wind resources vary significantly by
location. In many areas of the world with hilly terrain or wind “corridors,”
such as the Columbia Gorge corridor in the northwest United States or
the southern Wyoming corridor in intermountain western portions of the
United States, wind resource quality can vary greatly over short distances. 37
In these regions, micro-siting turbines in the precise locations where wind
resources are particularly strong is crucial to maximizing overall energy
productivity in wind farm design. The following numerical examples help
to illustrate how a non-nuisance rule can potentially interfere with the
efficiency of this micro-siting in these regions with location-sensitive wind
resources.
Suppose, for example (as “Scenario #1”), that Parcels U and D are
situated in an area of uneven terrain and a high degree of locational
wind speed variability. For simplicity, assume that each developer plans
to install only one turbine on each parcel. Based on wind speed data, the
wind resources at Site U 1 are worth $300,000. Those at Site D 1 , which is
at a lower elevation, are worth $200,000. However, as illustrated in Figure
3.6 , if the developers install both turbines, a wake from the Site U 1 turbine
would diminish the energy productivity of and ultimately damage the
turbine at Site D 1 , reducing the site's value to only $125,000.
Each developer has also identified the best alternative turbine site on its
respective parcel. These sites, labeled Sites U 2 and D 2 on Figure 3.6 , would
Parcel D
Parcel U
Property
line
Predominant
wind direction
Site D 1
($200,000 or $125,000)
Site U 2
($200,000)
Site D 2
($150,000)
Site U 1
($300,000)
Figure 3.6 Potential turbine sites on parcels U and D: scenario #1
 
 
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