20011221Comments.pdf

William M. Eddie (ISB #5800)
LAND AND WATER FUND OF THE ROCKIES
P.O. Box 1612
Boise,ID 83701
[phone]
fax: [phone]
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Express mail address:
1320 W. Franklin St.
Boise, lD 83702
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY TO
AMEND SCHEDULE 72 _ INTERCONNECTIONS
TO NON-UTILITY GENERATION
rPC-E-01-38
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY FOR
APPROVAL OF A NEW SCHEDULE 84 _
NET METERING
IPC-E-01-39
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION
OF IDAHO POWER COMPANY TO
AMEND SCHEDULE 86 _ COGENERATION
AND SMALL POWER PRODUCTION _ NON-FIRM
ENERGY
rPC-E-01-40
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE NORTHWEST PROJECT,IDAHO RIVERS
UNITED, NW ENERGY COALITION, NORTHWEST SEED, CLIMATE
SOLUTIONS, and AMERICAN WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
The Renewable Northwest Project, Idaho Rivers United, NW Energy Coalition,
Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development, Climate Solutions, and
American Wind Energy Association ("Renewable Energy Advocates") provide the
following comments in the above-captioned matters. Renewable Northwest Project
promotes development of renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and
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COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 1 ORIGINAI
geothermal technologies in the Northwest. Idaho Rivers United advocates for the
protection and restoration of Idaho's rivers, including through increased utilization of
renewable energy. NW Energy Coalition promotes energy conservation and renewable
energy resources, consumer and low-income protection, and fish and wildlife restoration
on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic
Development (NWSEED) supports and develops creative programs, policies, and
financing approaches to build rural economies and meet the region's power needs through
affordable, distributed "green" generation. Climate Solutions seeks practical and
profitable solutions to global warming, including through increased private investment in
renewable energy technologies for rural economic development. American Wind
Energy Association (AWEA) is a national trade association that represents wind power
plant developers, wind turbine manufacfurers, utilities, consultants, insurers, financiers,
researchers, and others involved in the wind industry.
INTRODUCTION
The Renewable Energy Advocates appreciate Idaho Power's initiative in
suggesting changes to its net metering policies. Particularly in this time of relatively high
electric prices, customers should be given as many options as possible to reduce demand
by generating some of their own electricity, while providing some energy to the grid.
Further, successful implementation of a net metering program for Idaho Power would
help achieve many of the same benefits as increased demand side management programs
- including reduced demand, increased grid reliability and efficiency, and environmental
and economic benefits - all through private investment. See Order No. 28894 (Increased
DSM Programs for Idaho Power).
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES .- 2
The Renewable Energy Advocates support many of the progressive changes to net
metering management suggested by Idaho Power. The Company's simplified proposed
billing system for net metering, with the opportunity for customers to carry over financial
credits from month-to-month for excess kilowatt hours generated, is a significant
improvement from the complex billing formula now in place.
However, Idaho Power's suggested interconnection requirements for net metering
still impose unneceisary and expensive burdens on customer-generators. In addition,
Idaho Power would exclude irrigation and commercial customers from eligibility for net
metering. It is imperative that all customer classes be eligible for net metering, and that
irrigation and large general customers be allowed to install net metered generation
systems up to 100 kilowatts in size.
These Comments are supported by the Direct Testimony of Tom Starrs, a
nationally recognized expert and consultant on net metering and distributed generation.
I. SCHEDULE 84 - NET METERING
A. Eligibility
All Idaho Power customers should be eligible for net metering. The Company's
proposal to restrict net metering to only small general and residential customers is not
grounded upon any cost, safety, or grid reliability justification. The exclusion of
irrigation customers is particularly unreasonable, since irrigators frequently can most
benefit from net metering by utilizing readily available renewable resources, including
wind, solar, and hydropower, to offset their own high electric demands. Starrs
Testimony, page 9, lines l5-17.
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES .- 3
As discussed in the Testimony of Thomas Starrs there is no technological or other
rational basis for excluding irrigation and other customers utilizing three-phase power
and demand meters. Starrs Testimony, page 10. In fact, "[m]any net metering facilities
are three-phase systems," and the installation of such systems "may be preferable because
they minimize the potential for phase imbalance that may arise from larger single-phase
facilities." Id.
Readily available metering equipment would directly address Idaho Power's
technical concerns regarding such customers:
Although the metering required to provide net metering for three-
phase and demand-metered customers are somewhat more
complicated than for the simplest single-phase customers, metering
requirements do not justify precluding any class or category of
customers from availing themselves of net metering. Advances in
new electronic metering technologies ensure that bi-directional
power flows can be measured accurately and inexpensively. For
instance, there are meters currently available that can track bi-
directional power flows on a time-of-use basis while also
measuring peak demand. To provide just one example, the ABB
Alpha Plus series of meters provide high-accuracy, revenue-quality
electronic metering with multi-rate trackin g, realheactive power
tracking, service connection validation, power quality monitoring,
and load profiling with remote communications capability.
Although the cost of these advanced meters -- which range from
$200 to $2,000 -- might be prohibitive for the smallest-scale
facilities, this cost is likely to be acceptable for a larger-scale
facility owner seeking to capture some of the benefits of net
metering in a time-of-use or demand-metered application.
Starrs Testimony, page l0
As discussed below, the Commission could easily provide, in an amended
Schedule 72, for a simple three-step interconnection review process to balance
customers' needs for minimum cost and bureaucracy, while assuring grid safety and
reliability. Any concerns regarding metering for customers using three phase power and
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 4
demand meters can be resolved easily through meter upgrades and interconnection
reviews, and certainly do not justi$/ the exclusion of such customers from net metering.
Other neighboring states make net metering available to all customer classes. See
Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) $ 757.300; Revised Code of Washington (RCW) $ 80.60;
Montana Code Annotated (MCA) $ 69-8-601, and Wyoming Statutes (Wyo.Stat.) $ 37-
l6-l0l thru 104. Farmers and large customers have installed net metered generation
systems in at least California, [owa, Minnesota, and Montana without encountering
reliability, safety, or billing problems.
Net metering is a matter of choice: customers should have as many options as
possible to find their own energy solutions. As a matter of basic fairness, and to best
encourage the installation of net metered renewable generation systems in Idaho Power's
service territory, the Commission should provide that all Idaho Power customers are
eligible for net metering.
If the Commission believes review of additional information is warranted before
deciding net metering eligibility for irrigation and large general customers, the
Renewable Energy Advocates request that this issue be set over for further comment or
evidentiary hearings, and that the Commission provide opportunity for intervention in
such further proceedings in this matter.l However, we believe that the information set
forth herein, including the suggested provisions for interconnection and metering
discussed below and in the Testimony of Thomas Starrs, provide ample assurance that
any technical concerns can be resolved simply and efficiently. Such concems certainly
I Such further proceedings could address inigation and large customer eligibility,
system capacity size limitations, and other technical issues particular to those customers.
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 5
do not outweigh the interests of irrigation and large customers in enjoying the same
options as other customer classes.
B. Single-system Capacity Limitations
If the Commission requires Idaho Power to make irrigation and large general
customers eligible for net metering, the single-system capacity limit of 25 kilowatts
should be increased to 100 kilowatts, at minimum. While the 25 kilowatt capacity limit
should be adequate for most residential and small general customers, systems of that size
will not meaningfully offset high electric demands of irrigation and large general
customers.
Although the wind industry has capitalized on economies of scale by building
increasingly larger wind turbines - including many at 600 kilowatt capacity and higher -
there are a spectrum of wind turbines available in the 300 watt to 40 kilowatt range, as
well as some incrementally larger turbines through the 100 to 250 kilowatt range. See
Exhibits I and2 (Technical Descriptions for Fuhrliinder 150 kW and 250 kW Wind
Turbines). Net metered wind turbines on the larger end of this scale have provided
remarkable public benefits for customers, including institutions such as local schools.
See, e.g., Exhibit 3 (Iowa Energy Bureau, Spirit Lake Community School District Case
Study installation of 225 kW and 900 kW wind turbines). Following Spirit Lake's lead,
there are now more than half a dozen schools in Iowa that are using large wind turbines
to meet their electricity needs.
Of the 34 states that now allow net metering, l9 allow at least some facilities with
capacity up to 40 kilowatts or larger, and 13 states allow facilities sized 100 kilowatts or
larger. These include: Arkansas (25 kW residential, 100 kW commercial and
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 6
agricultural); Georgia (10 kW residential, 100 kW commercial); Montana (50 kW);
Maryland (80 kW); North Dakota (100 kW);Maine (100 kw); Arizona (100 kW);
California (l megawatt); Indiana (l megawatt); and Iowa (no limit).
Idaho Power's existing Schedule 86 allows for net metered systems up to 100
kilowatts in size. The Renewable Energy Advocates request that the Commission retain
the existing 100 kilowatt capacity limit in order to provide meaningful options for high
demand customers to offset some of their electricity purchases. Consistent with national
trends toward larger capacity limits, we also request that the Commission provide for
further review of this 100 kilowatt limitation one year from issuing its final order in this
matter, so that customer response and market availability of renewable energy systems
can be evaluated in deciding whether such limitation is appropriate.
C. Systemwide Capacity Limitation
Idaho Power seeks to restrict net metering after a cumulative generating capacity
of 2.9 megawatts (0.1%) has been reached, and cites this 0.1% figure as an "industry
standard." Application, IPC-E-01-39. While Avista's net metering tariffs in northern
Idaho and Washington provide for a 0.1% cumulative capacity limit, consistent with
RCW $ 80.60, other neighboring states differ. For example, Oregon places a cumulative
capacity limit of 0.5% of the utility single hour peak load, and fuither provides that net
metering maybe restricted by regulatory authorities once that limit is reached. ORS $
757.300. Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming each impose no
cumulative capacity limitation on net metering availability. See Ariz. Corp. Comm.
Decision No. 52345; Cal. Pub. Util. Code 5 2827 (effective through 2002); Public
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 7
Service Co. of CO, Advice Letter 1265; Decision C96-901); MCA $ 69-8-601; and Wyo.
Stat. $ 37-16-l0l thru 104.
If the Commission does approve a cumulative capacity limit on net metering
availability, it should provide that net metering maybe restricted after the limit is
reached. As with Oregon's net metering system, the Commission would review the
environmental, economic, and other public policy benefits of net metering in evaluating
whether to restrict its availability. ORS $ 757.300 (6). The Renewable Energy
Advocates recommend that the cumulative capacity limit for net metering, if any, be set
at loh of the previous year's peak demand, and that once such limit is reached, any
restriction on net metering be imposed only after a consideration of economic,
environmental, and other benefits of net metering.
Of course, the current total capacity of net metered generation systems in Idaho
Power's service territory does not come close to the Company's suggested 2.9 megawatt
cumulative capacity limit. However, prices for renewable energy systems are declining,
while retail electric rates will remain high for the foreseeable future. Given the
tremendous amount of public interest in wind energy, particularly in rural communities, it
is likely that the installation of net metered generation systems will rapidly increase in
coming years.
The Renewable Energy Advocates recognize that Idaho Power has legitimate
concerns with respect to cost-shifting as the cumulative capacity of net metered
generation systems grows. However, economic analyses performed in other states have
demonstrated that even at relatively high cumulative capacity limits such as the 1.0%
limit proposed here, the incremental revenue loss attributable to net metering is
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES .- 8
inconsequential, corresponding to an increase in the average residential customer's bill of
less than ten cents per month. Accordingly, we urge the Commission to avoid placing
artificial barriers to the growth of net metering, and at minimum provide for later
procedures to evaluate the public benefits of net metering before limiting its availability.
II. SCHEDULE 72 _ INTERCONNECTION REQUIREMENTS
Idaho Power's suggested changes to Schedule 72 reflect a substantial
improvement in simplicity over the current requirements of Schedule 86, Option B.
However, the Company would still impose unnecessary and expensive bureaucratic
burdens for the interconnection of net metered generation systems.
First the Commission should not approve the open-ended requirement that the
customer-generator "pay all costs of interconnecting a Generation Facility to the
Company's system. " See First Revised Sheet No. 72-3 (Proposed). As eloquently
explained by Mr. Starrs, unbounded risks of interconnection expenses would likely be a
strong deterrent to installation of net metered generation systems:
As a practical matter, actual utility experience with net metering
facilities across the country has demonstrated that in the vast
majority of cases, the customer's equipment provides the necessary
safety and power quality protection and the distribution system can
accommodate the facility without any modification. Under these
circumstances, the proposed language is overbroad and does
nothing more than create uncertainty for the customer regarding
the total cost of the net metering facility. To illustrate this point,
imagine a customer receiving a bid for a l0 kW wind energy
system that reads, in effect, "Total Installed Cost: $30,000 plus the
actual cost of the equipment that the utility determines is
necessary." The customer's response, naturally enough, will be to
conclude that the bid is meaningless and the total project cost is
unbounded.
Starrs Testimony, page 4, lines l-10
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 9
The Renewable Energy Advocates suggest that the Commission incorporate a
three-tier review process2, which would create a presumption that net metered systems
will be interconnected to the grid at no cost to the customer, unless the utility makes an
affirmative finding that equipment modifications are necessary to ensure a safe and
reliable interconnection. Idaho Power would be required to notifo the customer within a
reasonable time that such additional expenses may be necessary; and the customer could
appeal such finding to the Commission. Starrs Testimony, page 4, lines 15-22.
In addition, the Commission should eliminate Idaho Power's suggested
requirement for up-front and annual certifications by an "independent qualified party
licensed in the State of ldaho" that a net metered system will operate safely and reliably.
As discussed in the Testimony of Thomas Starrs, pages 6-8, such duplicative
requirements would do little to ensure grid safety and integrity, particularly considering
(1) that practically every net metering system would require approval by a local or state
electrical inspector, as Idaho Power recognizes; and (2) that the vast majority of
interconnection systems already comply with extremely rigorous, uniform technical
standards:
[N]ational standard-setting authorities such as the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) have spent years designing and adopting
' As discussed in the Testimony of Thomas Starrs, California has adopted a three-
tiered review process for distributed generation facilities that analyzes (l) whether an
automatic determination can be made that the facility may be safely interconnected
without any modifications to the utility system, and therefore without any additional cost
to the customer; and if not, then (2) whether a simple and quick review of the distribution
system at the point of interconnection will indicate that the facility can be interconnected
without any modifications to the utility system, and therefore without any cost to the
customer; and if not, then (3) that a more elaborate interconnection study is necessary in
order to determine whether modifications to the distribution system will be necessary in
order to accommodate the net metering facility. Starrs Testimony, page 3, lines ll-23.
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- IO
appropriate standards for the interconnection of so-called
"distributed generation" to utility systems. . . . These standards
UEEE 929-2000 and UL l74l) have been widely adopted across
the country, and in fact the states of California, Montana, Oregon,
and Washington all specify that compliance with these standards
precludes the imposition of additional requirements by utilities,
absent explicit regulatory approval following a determination that
additional requirements are necessary to address legitimate safety
concerns. Thus, a product that is "listed" by UL has been tested
and approved as being in compliance with relevant UL standards.
As a practical matter, the vast majority of net metering applications
Idaho Power is likely to receive will be for inverter-based systems,
including solar photovoltaic and small wind electric systems. For
these facilities, Idaho Power's review should be limited to ensuring
that the inverter being used is listed to UL 1741. No further review
is necessary, and no fuither review should be required.
Starrs Testimony, pages 6-7. Likewise, rigorous standards are now in development for
non-inverter based grid connected systems which, when finalized, will provide more than
adequate grid safety and reliability protection
Comparable standards for non-inverter based systems using
synchronous or induction generators, such as some small
hydroelectric facilities and some larger wind turbines, are under
development. The IEEE is finalizing a draft standard for a wide
range of distributed power technologies, [IEEE P1547/D08]. The
UL is certain to develop a corresponding testing standard, as it did
for inverter-based systems. This will create an effective national
standard for all distributed technologies, which can then be readily
adopted across the country. Until such time, it is reasonable for
Idaho Power to require additional project-specific review, but only
for these non-inverter based systems.
Starrs Testimony, page 7, lines 14-22
Further, Idaho Power's proposed requirement for duplicative certifications by an
independent party would impose an economic barrier to net metering, particularly for
small-scale systems:
A two-kilowatt (2 kW) solar photovoltaic system, for example,
will produce perhaps 300 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity per
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 1I
month. Assuming the retail price of power is $0.06/kwh, the value
of the energy produced is $18 per month, or approximately $216
per year. Yet Idaho Power is proposing that the customer hire an
"independent qualified party licensed in the State of Idaho" to
conduct an initial inspection, and a recurring annual inspection. It
seems possible - if not likely -- that the cost of hiring someone to
perform this inspection and provide the required documentation to
Idaho Power could easily exceed the annual energy savings from
the net metering facility.
Starrs Testimony, pages 7 (lines 23-24) and 8 (lines l-8).
Thus, as in other jurisdictions, the Commission should adopt the UL l74l and
IEEE 929-2000 standards, which provide a more than adequate margin of safety and
reliability for net metering systems. As discussed above, if a customer-generator's
proposed system does not meet these standards, or other safety or reliability factors arise,
the Company could noti8/ the customer that equipment modifications may be necessary
to ensure a safe and reliable interconnection.
While upfront and annual certifications by an "independent qualified party" for
safety and reliability are unnecessary if the above standards and interconnection review
processes are imposed, the Renewable Energy Advocates suggest that such certifications
could be conducted at Idaho Power's expense.
As discussed above, net metering for high demand irrigation and large general
service customers using three-phase power may require additional metering equipment.
Consistent with the above comments, costs for any additional safety and reliability
equipment for net metered systems could be imposed on customer-generators if Idaho
Power makes an affirmative determination that such equipment is necessary. However,
Idaho Power should be responsible for the installation of additional meters to measure
power both consumed and generated by the customer, consistent the utility's traditional
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -. 12
metering responsibilities. The Renewable Energy Advocates suggest the Commission
draw from Oregon's statutory language as follows:
An electric utility that offers residential and commercial electric service:
(a) Shall allow net metering facilities to be interconnected using a
standard meter that is capable of registering the flow of electricity
in two directions.
(b) May at its own expense install one or more additional meters to
monitor the flow of electricity in each direction.
oRS $ 7s7.300 (2).
Such allocation of responsibility for meter installation would resolve metering and
billing concerns, particularly for irrigation and large customers. In claiming that
"installation of additional metering to register the delivery of energy to Idaho Power's
system negates the concept of net metering," Idaho Power implies that the use of one
meter is the essence of net metering. Idaho Power Company's Response to First
Production Request of Commission Staff at2. At its core, the number of meters involved
is a minor issue relative to the primary issues of customer choice and the ability to pay
the "net" of generation against consumption. The Commission should provide an option
for the installation of additional meters if necessary to resolve technical or billing
considerations for irrigation and large customers.
III. SCHEDULE 86
The Renewable Energy Advocates have no objection to Idaho Power's proposed
removal of "Option B" from Schedule 86.
However, the Company's other proposed changes to Schedule 86 to establish a
new purchase price for non-firm energy from qualifying facilities smaller than I
megawatt deserve close review by the Commission. We suggest that the procedures and
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES .. 13
pricing mechanism provided in the proposed Schedule 86 be extended to all non-firm
power purchases from qualiffing facilities regardless of size, unless the facility is
covered by net metering tariffs as may be approved in this matter.
CONCLUSION
The Renewable Energy Advocates request approval of the three Applications at
issue in this matter, with the following changes:
l. All customers should be eligible for net metering, not just residential and
small commercial customers.
2. The single-system generating capacity limitation should be maintained at
the existing 100 kilowatt size, in order to provide all customers opportunity to
meaningfully offset their demand for utility-provided electricity.
3. The cumulative capacity limit for net metering, if any, should be set at lYo
of the previous year's peak demand, and after such limit is reached, any restriction on net
metering be imposed only after the Commission's consideration of economic,
environmental, and other benefits of net metering.
4. Interconnection requirements should be further streamlined (1) by
imposing a three-tier interconnection review process which establishes a presumption that
net metered systems will be interconnected at no additional cost to customers; (2) by
adopting the UL 174L andIEEE 929-2000 technical standards for inverter-based systems;
and (3) by removing the duplicative and unnecessary requirement for upfront and annual
inspections by an "independent qualified party licensed in the State of Idaho."
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 14
5. The Commission should extend the new purchase price for power
generated for non-firm energy to all quali$ing facilities regardless of size.
Dated: Decernber 21,2001 Respectfully submitted,
William M. Eddie
Land and Water Fund of the Rockies
On behalf of:
Renewable Northwest Proj ect
Idaho Rivers United
NW Energy Coalition
NWSEED
Climate Solutions
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES.. 15
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certiff that on this 2l't day of December 2001, I caused true and correct
copies of the COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE NORTHWEST PROJECT, et al., and the
TESTIMONY OF TOM STARRS to be served on the persons listed below via the
method of service noted:
Commission Secretary ryIA HAND DELIVERY)
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
472W. Washington St.
Boise,ID 83702-5983
Barton Kline (VIA U.S. MAIL)
Senior Attorney
Idaho Power Company
l22l West Idaho Street
Boise, ID 83702
Maggie Brilz (VIA U.S. MAIL)
Director of Pricing
Idaho Power Company
1221 West Idaho Street
Boise,ID 83702
William
COMMENTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ADVOCATES -- 16
Technical description
for the wind generator
Fuhrldnder 100 kW
100kw turbine tech.doc Fuhrldnder -1-
Table of Contents
General information..,.3
Technical specification: .........4
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Slewing ring / Bearing ring
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Yaw systemt .............
Brake system:....
Grid connection .........
Nacelle:............
Control system:
Nacelle.....
Central control unit:
100kw turbine tech.doc Fuhrldnder -2-
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General information
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1 00kw_turbine_tech.doc Fuhrldnder -3-
Type:
Three blade, stall regulated propeller-type wind turbine with the rotor placed upwind
Manufacturer: Fuhrldnder Aktiengesellschaft
Auf der H6he 4
D-6477 Waigandshain
Germany
Technical specification :
- cut in wind speed
- cut out wind speed
- survivalwind speed
- life time of the whole generator minimum
- maximal speed of the rotor tips
3 m/s
25 m/s
67 m/s
more than 25 years
50,6 m/s
Rotor:
- type
- diameter
- swept area
- revolutions
- tip speed max.
- blade twist
- pitch
- weight incl. hub
- material of the blades
- material of the hub
- safety system
- power regulation
three bladed, stall regulated, upwind, self start
21 m
348 m'z
48 rpm =>100 kW
32 rpm => 20 kW
50,6 m/s
11"
fixed (stall)
2380 kg (incl. spinner)
GRP (GFK)fiber glass
GGG 40.3
tip brake mechanism, with hydraulic activated
aerodynamic brake stall
Tower:
- conical tubular tower made of steel plates,
- internal ladder with security device
- trap door for inspection of blade tips
- top door for climbing into the machine house
- painted in three steps, which means very high protection against extremely
aggressive environments in coastal and industrial areas.
- hub height 35 meters.
1 00kw_turbine_tech.doc Fuhrldnder -4-
Generator:
asynchronous, with an automatic pole change for energy production even at low wind
speed, special construction for our system
- nominal power
- max. power
- protection
- isolation class
- frequency
- weight
Gear unit
- ratio
- nominal power
- max. power
- weight
- number of stages
- volume for oil
- construction
100 kw
20 kw
130 kw
lP 54
F
50 Hz
780 kg
1:33
150 kw
200 kw
2800 kg
2
150 litres
integrated with the main bearing, no frame needed,
all ports are bolted on the gear unit
This gearbox is designed for the heavy and fluctuating loads affecting wind turbines,
filled with for life oil.
Slewing ring / Bearing ring:
- a special construction with integrated brake for the yaw system ( for life brake) as
permanent brake
- diameter 1166 mm
Yaw system:
- electrically controlled by a wind vane on the top of the drive train
- cover yaw brake as permanent for life brake
- yawing time 1o per second
- yaw motor with planetary gearbox 0,35 kW
Brake system:
- hydraulic fail - safe disc brake system in the back of the gear unit
100kw turbine tech.doc FUhfldndef -5-
- rotor tip brake system as first brake system, witch is activated by the centrifugal
force
90 degrees and stops the wind turbine first out of working situations
- parking brake system
- aerodynamic safety system " stall"
Grid connection
- the wind generator can be connected with the grid by 3 x 400 V AC, frequency
50/60 Hz
Nacelle:
Covered by a combination steel / fiber glass shield with two top doors which can
easily be opened for inspection.
There is place enough for two persons to work inside.
Gontrol system:
The computerised electronic control system is microprocessor based.
There are push buttons for checking the system and for manual operation of the wind
generator.
The control panel has a lot of different functions for checking and controlling the safe
and correct operating of the wind generator.
- changes in voltage and frequency ( self start 600 sec. after reset)
- thermal overload of the generator ( self start 600 sec after reset)
- temperatures in the gear box and generator ( self start 600 sec. after reset)
- twisting of cables ( self start 600 sec. after reset)
- cut out wind speed ( self start 600 sec. after reset)
- revolution of the rotor and generator ( no self start)
- phase error in the generator ( no self start)
- thermal overload of the yaw motor ( no self start)
- operating time of the hydraulic pump ( no self start)
- vibration in the nacelle ( no self start)
- oil leakage gear box ( no self start)
Defects in any of these functions will automatically activate the hydraulic brake
system.
'100kw turbine tech.doc Fuhrldnder -6-
While the generator is working, you can see on the display:
- the wind speed
- momentary production
- small or large generator is working
- yaw movements
- revolutions
- yaw point
- grid (voltage and frequency)
- current, power
- source of error, shortage ( the display shows the faults in normal text)
- total production
- temperatures
- etc.
The whole management and safety systems are in accordance with your inquiry and
also built according to and passed the strict " German government security standards
for building and operating on wind generators" with test certification of Germanischer
Lloyd.
Central control unit:
To have a perfect communication system we can offer you every wind generator with
a standard modem with a communication rate of 2400 baud, additional a
communication module for wind parks / wind farms.
So there are no problems to have a telecommunication with a personal computer to a
wind park or a single wind generator.
1 00kw_tu rbine_tech.doc Fuhrldnder -7-
Technical description for the wind generator
Fuhrliinder 250 kW
250kw_turbine_tech.doc Fuhilcinder Page 1
Gontents
General information
Technical specification:
Tower
Generator:
Gear unit..
Slewing ring / Bearing ring:.........
Yaw system: ............
Brake system:
Grid connection......
Nacelle:
Control system:
Central control unit:
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8Drawing of nacelle
250kw turbine tech.doc Fuhilcinder Page2
General information
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250kw_turbine_tech.doc Fuhrlcinder Page 3
Type:
Three blade, stall regulated propellertype wind turbine with the rotor placed upwind
Manufacturer: Fuhrldnder Aktiengesellschaft
Auf der Hohe 4
D-56477 Waigandshain
Germany
Technical specification :
- cut in wind speed
- cut out wind speed
- survival wind speed
- life time of the whole generator minimum
- maximal speed of the rotor tips
3 m/s
25 m/s
67 m/s
more than 25 years
60 m/s
Rotor:
- type
- diameter
- swept area
- revolutions
- tip speed max.
- blade twist
- pitch
- weight incl. hub
- material of the blades
- material of the hub
- safety system
- power regulation
three bladed, stall regulated, upwind, self starting
29,5 m
683,5 m2
39 rpm =>250 kW
29 rpm => 50 kW
60 m/s
13,25 "
fixed (stall)
4050 kg (incl. spinner)
GRP (GFK)fibre glass
GGG 40.3
tip brake mechanism, with hydraulic activated
aerodynamic brake stall
Tower:
- conical tubular tower made of steel plates,
- internal ladder with security device
- trap door for inspection of blade tips
- top door for climbing into the machine house
- painted in three steps, which means very high protection against extremely aggressive
environments in coastal and industrial areas.
- hub height 30 meters.
250kw turbine tech.doc Fuhilcinder Page 4
Generator:
asynchronus, with an automatic pole change for energy production even at low wind
speed, special construction for our system
'nominal power
- max. power
- protection
- isolation class
- frequency
- weight
250 kw
50 kw
320 kw
lP 54
F
50 Hz
2000 kg
Gear unit
- ratio 1:26,6
- nominal power 300 kW
- max. power 350 kW
- weight 4200 kg
- number of stages 2
- volume for oil 150 litres
- construction integrated with the main bearing, no frame
needed, all ports are bolted on the gear unit
This gearbox is designed for the heavy and fluctuating loads affecting wind turbines, filled
with for life oil
Slewing ring / Bearing ring:
- a special construction with integrated brake for the yaw system ( for life brake) as
permanent brake
- diameter 1166 mm
Yaw system:
- electrically controlled by a wind vane on the top of the drive train
- cover yaw brake as permanent for life brake
- yawing time 1' per second
- yaw motor with planetary gearbox 0,35 kW
Brake system:
- hydraulic fail - safe disc brake system in the back of the gear unit
- rotor tip brake system as first brake system, witch is activated by the centrifugal force
90 degrees and stops the wind turbine first out of working situations
250kw_turbine_tech.doc Fuhilcinder Page 5
- parking brake system
- aerodynamic safety system "stall"
Grid connection
- the wind generator can be connected with the grid by 3 x 400 V AC, frequency 50/60 Hz
Nacelle:
the drive train is covered by a combined steel/ fibre glass shield with two top lights which
can easily be opened for inspection.
There is place enough for two persons to work inside.
Contro! system:
The computerised electronic control system is microprocessor based.
There are push buttons for checking the system and for manual operation of the wind
generator.
The control panel has a lot of different functions for checking and controlling the safe and
correct operating of the wind generator.
- changes in voltage and frequency ( self starting 600 sec. after reset)
- thermal overload of the generator ( self starting 600 sec after reset)
- temperatures in the gear box and generator ( self starting 600 sec. after reset)
- twisting of cables ( self starting 600 sec. after reset)
- cut out wind speed ( self starting 600 sec. after reset)
- revolution of the rotor and generator ( no self starting)
- phase error in the generator ( no self starting)
- thermal overload of the yaw motor ( no self starting)
- operating time of the hydraulic pump ( no self starting)
- vibration in the nacelle ( no self starting)
- oil leakage gear box ( no self starting)
Defects in any of these functions will automatically activate the hydraulic brake system.
While the generator is working, you can see on the display:
- the wind speed
- momentary production
- small or large generator is working
- yaw movements
- revolutions
- yaw point
250kw_turbi ne_tech.doc Fahilcinder Page 6
- grid ( voltage and frequency)
- current, power
- source of error, shortage ( the display shows the faults in normal text)
- whole production
- temperatures
- etc.
The whole management and safety systems are in accordance with your inquiry and also
built according to and passed the strict " German government security standards for
building and operating on wind generators" with test certification of Germanischer Lloyd.
Central control unit:
To have a perfect communication system we can offer you every wind generator with a
standard modem with a communication rate of 2400 baud, additional a communication
module for wind parks / wind farms.
So there are no problems to have a telecommunication with a personal computer to a wind
park or a single wind generator.
250kw_turbine_tech.doc Fuhilcinder PageT
Page I of2Renewable Energy Case Study #l
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RENEWABLE ENERGY CASE STUDY
SPIRIT LAKE
Community School District
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1
The Spirit Lake School District
received a lot ofanention in July 1993
when it became only the second school
district in the nation to own a wind
turbine. "l've never done anything
that's been so popular in the
community," said Spirit Lake
Superintendent Harold Overmann.
"People wonder why we don't have
more of these things."
Itlttl Lrtt'tttiort
Spirit Lake's windy location in
northwest lowa made it an ideal
location for a wind turbine. The 140-
foot tall turbine produces electricity for
the Spirit Lake elementary school.
Since it began charging, the turbine has
run "almost perfectly." The only
problems with the turbine have
occurred in extreme weather situations.
During ice storms, ice has clung to the
rotors, forcing
it to shut down. The turbine also shuts
offwhen winds exceed 56 mph. In
both situations, a manual stan-up is all
that is required.
S t, I I i t t;i t h t I:.r t'c s s
The turbine produces 324,000 kW of
electricity annually, which amounts to
$24,900. The elementary school,
however, uses only $20,000 worth of
electricity. Tbrough an agreement
signed with IES Utilities, the district
sells its excess electricity to the utility
company.
The turbine cost $238,000 to install. A
grant from the U.S. Department of
Energy paid for halfofthe cost and the
district acquired a loan from the lowa
Energy Bank Program to pay the other
half. With the $25,000 yearly savings,
the
turbine will be completely paid for in
less than five years. After that, the
money saved can be directed into
education. "We're using our non-
instructional costs for instructional
costs," said Overmann. 'With the
money we save we can fully equip a
computer lab every year instead of
paying for electricity."
II clpi n g th t E n lurtt tr ttt t,tt t
Not only is the disrict helping itself
but it is also saving the environment.
Using wind instead of coal in the
school replaces 225 tons ofcoal and
prevents 750,000 pounds ofcarbon
dioxide emissions from polluting the
air every year. "That part really goes
unsaid. But we're proud that we are
helping to solve the pollution
problem," said Overmann.
EEilIITE}ITTITTEilEEEY
w'ORKS
This is one in a series on cqse studies on successful renewable energy projects
in lowo., For more information, Iowa Energt Bureau, ll/allace State OJftce
Building, Des Moines, IA 50319; [phone].
{lE Renewable Enerey case stuaies El>
http ://www. state. ia.us/dnr/energy/pubs/renewablel rcasel rcase0 I .htm
Renewable Energy Case Study #2 Page I of2
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RENEWABLE ENERGY CASE STUDY
NEVADA
Community
School District
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u ttl su vi rt ! tlt L, tc ltttttl rl istit't S-] h,00ll i tt clcctricitt' t.osts,
2
On Aug. 10, 1995, the Nevada
Community School District started up
its second wind generator, becoming
the first district in the state to have two
wind rurbines. "lt's been a real positive
for us," said Superintendent Kenneth
Shaw. "They have been running very
effectively and effi ciently. "
I t tt t r r r I i u t r' .Srrlil,g.
The hrst turbine, a 250-kW generator
started up in December 1993,
immediately started saving the district
$500 a week in electricity costs. With a
second, 200-kW generator, the district
now produces 477 ,688 kW-hours
worth of electricity per year for its
middle school and high school. That
amounts to $36,100 worth of electricity
produced by the two wind turbines.
"We can take that money we save and
put it into instructional costs," said
Shaw.
On top of the money being saved in
electricity costs, the district has
increased its budget further by selling
its excess electricity to the local utility
company. Since the first turbine began
operation, the schools have produced
an excess of I 17,200-kW hours of
electriciry, mainly from days when the
buildings are not being used. Nevada
CSD was able to sell this excess
electricity for 57,056.
I t'n' Ilt'liultlt
Since its first day ofoperation, the first
rurbine has run almost continuously
without any problems. The second
turbine has done just as well, with the
only mechanical problems occurring
during very windy days. Also, the
second turbine has produced more
electricity than the first one, despite
having Iess power.
This can be attributed to its 42-foot
long blades, which are nvo feet longer
than on the first one. The second one
also has more pitch on the blades.
I I t'l 1ti tt y t lt t l'. tr t' i t'r t tr rttt'tt(
Not only is the district saving money
with the wind turbine, but it is also
helping the environment. By relying
less on power plants for electricity, the
district is displacing hundreds oftons
of coal and eliminating millions of
pounds of carbon dioxide emissions
from polluting the air.
The school district received the wind
turbines through a donation by Harold
Fawcett and his sister, Josephine Tope.
"We were very grateful for that gift,"
said Shaw.
EI:ilIIT!r:ITIrIEilEnEY
W'ORKS
This is one in a series on case studies on successful renewable energt projects
in lowu, For more informalion, Iowa Energlt Bureau, llallace State OIfice
Building, Des Moines, IA 50j19; [phone].
<lE o.r.u'able Energy Case studies El>
http ://www. state. ia. us/dnr/energy/pub sirenewable/rcase/rcase02. htm t2l2U200l