Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
screening (such as the presence and location of existing roads and transmission lines),
(ii) to obtain additional information not available in a map or GIS format, and (iii)
to select places to install wind monitoring systems. The following items are typically
documented during a site visit:
accessibility to the site
•
potential visual and noise concerns (e.g., notable scenic value, nearby residences)
•
issues of potential cultural, environmental, historical, or other community sensi-
tivity
•
locations of significant obstructions that may affect wind observations
•
possible wind monitoring locations, including site coordinates, accessibility, and
surroundings (discussed in Section 3.4)
•
cellular telephone service reliability for automated remote data transfers.
•
The site evaluator should refer to a detailed topographic map of the area to plan
the trip and note pertinent features to be visited. A Global Positioning System (GPS)
should be used during the visit to record the exact location (latitude, longitude, and
elevation) of each point of interest. It may be especially convenient to link the GPS to
a laptop running GIS software. A video or still camera record of the visit is also helpful
not only for the site screening but also for the subsequent analysis and interpretation of
the wind resource data once monitoring is under way. When assessing possible tower
locations, the evaluator should gauge whether trees need to be cleared to provide a
sufficiently large, open area for tower erection. Also, if a guyed meteorological tower
is to be installed, the soil conditions should be determined so the proper anchor type
can be chosen. (For more information about the installation of monitoring masts, see
Chapter 5.)
Field visits also provide an opportunity for the developer to become acquainted
with landowners, community representatives, business leaders, government officials,
and others who may be involved in or affected by the proposed wind project or
who may have a say in its approval. The monitoring program's objectives can be
presented in a friendly, face-to-face conversation, and questions and concerns can
be noted and addressed, if possible. Although wind turbines are accepted in many
regions, environmental, cultural, visual, noise, permitting, and other issues can still
pose important challenges. It is in the developer's interest to investigate and address
these challenges as early as possible in the siting process, before making a large
investment of time and money. For more information on these issues, consult the
“Suggestions for Further Reading” section.
3.4 TOWER PLACEMENT
There are two distinct types of monitoring towers: dedicated towers installed specifi-
cally for wind resource monitoring and preexisting towers.
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