Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
There are many examples of island applications employing wind. In 979, a 200-kW
Mod-0A experimental HAWT was interconnected with the utility on Block Island, 0 miles
off the coast of Rhode Island, as described in Chapter 3 [Hoff 2000]. The wind turbine was
operated successfully with one to five of the diesel generators needed to meet the peak load
in summer of ,800 kW. During some low load periods in winter the turbine supplied more
than 50 percent of the island's electricity, running with only a single diesel to control grid
frequency. When these prototype tests were completed the turbine was disassembled, but in
2008 the Block Island power company is considering installing a combined wind, solar, and
residential/commercial co-generation facility. The proposed wind turbines may be installed
offshore on reefs near the island for aesthetics reasons.
Isolated Mainland Communities
Even in the developed world there are mainland communities isolated from regional
electricity distribution systems. The first Mod-0A prototype HAWT was interconnected
with the diesel-fired, municipal utility in Clayton, New Mexico. In the developing world,
where regional networks are rudimentary, such applications are much more common. Islands
linked to mainland networks by undersea cables are similar to remote mainland communities,
since it is advantageous to use wind turbines for local generation whenever possible to offset
power purchases from the mainland.
Kotzebue Electric Association
in Alaska has led the way in a successful demonstration
of using wind in an isolated community of about 3,000 people. Three 50-kW wind turbines
were installed in 994, and the wind plant now includes 7 machines supplying about 7
percent of the community's electricity. The latest addition was a 00-kW
Northern Power
turbine designed specifically to survive in the harsh arctic climate. More than a dozen remote
villages along the Alaskan coast have begun using wind power.
Grid-Connected Communities
Some communities have chosen to generate their own electric power. Although they
may be connected to a regional grid, their intent is to provide some or all of their electricity
from local sources using the grid for backup. Such arrangements can present a difficulty for
the regional power company, because their revenue base is reduced yet they must maintain
sufficient power for backup and transmission lines to the community. On the other hand, in
regions with load growth, the power companies can delay or cancel construction of new gen-
erating plants. Balancing these tradeoffs is done through the power purchase agreement.
Vashon Island located in Puget Sound near Seattle, Washington, is an example of a
community planning an energy independence project. The local
Institute for Environmental
Research and Education
conducted a study on sustainable energy for the island. All the
renewable energy sources on Vashon-Maury Island were evaluated, from both engineering
and an economic feasibility perspective. Possible energy sources include wind, solar, geo-
thermal, tidal, biomass, and hydrogen. This study was the first step in a project whose goals
are to move this community of 0,000 inhabitants, which currently imports essentially all
its energy, to one that has no net energy importation and to minimize their
carbon footprint
.
This would make Vashon-Maury Island fully energy sustainable and an example for other
communities.
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