Now in Microsoft Publisher is 1,030 billion kWhs of wind power- A Farm Energy Production Handbook, First Edition; booklet format, 134 pages. Being printed for in-state sale.
The Table of Contents (Web addresses follow, or are in, every Step) is
Section 9006 details (2002 "Farm Bill" Section 9006 is Title IX- Energy) on page NS-1
Step 1 (know the wind quality at your site(s) ) on page 1-1
Step 2 (know the “lay of the land” ) on page 2-1
Step 3 (understanding wind economics ("aerinomics" in the handbook)) on page 3-1
Step 4 (finding electricity purchasers ) on page 4-1
Step 5 (know the transmission infrastructure) on page 5-1
Step 6 (ensure heavy equipment) on page 6-1
Step 7 (know about manufacturers of turbines) on page 7-1
Step 8 (learn about operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts) on page 8-1
Step 9 (understand the time-lines of regulatory and other constraints) on page 9-1
Step 10 (developing a great business plan) on page 10-1
Appendix (hilltop Wyoming gasoline station started my "wind chasing") on page A-1
As the South Dakota wind wind resource map (a computer estimate) shows, nearly all South Dakotans and their communities can be wind farmers. Gold areas are where wind farming (aericulture- cultivating the wind) becomes economically viable. (Some of those same areas are marginal for agriculture.) The remaining colors are increasingly high-yield areas.
The market for wind power continues to grow rapidly, as suggested in yesterday's (9 Oct Tuesday) The Wall Street Journal report on page A7 that may serve as a springboard for widespread SD wind farming. (By-the-way, here in Watertown we enjoyed 11 hours of 16 - 21 mph wind having 600 - 800 W/sq. meter of swept area per hour at 50 meters (purple/red on the map.)
"Big Firms to Press Suppliers on Climate" describes the efforts by Proctor & Gamble, Nestle, and other companies to reduce the emission of CO2 and other GHG throughout their respective supply chains.
The report observes- Companies are increasingly touting their environmental strategies as a marketing tool because consumers are more aware of and concerned about climate change. One of those strategies is the Supply Chain Leadership Coalition; the companies are working with the Carbon Disclosure Project (London) to spur suppliers' improvements in energy efficiency and
reducing CO2/GHG emissions. ["Carrot and stick" arrangement, undoubtedly.]
[South Dakota land owners and communities can build wind farms using sub-one MW turbines for fastest installation and proven reliability to contract with the Supply Chain Leadership
Coalition and its suppliers for wind power and "green credits." Our wind farms are a long-term (100-year) response to a business demand; the Coalition and their supply chains could be the leverage we need to secure funds for buying the turbines and for construction of the farms and transmission lines. "Big Firms" justify a "Giant Vision," don't you agree?]
Food for action.
Showing posts with label community wind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community wind. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Farm energy production will "soften" coal
Lagerwey is developing a permanent magnet drive 100kW wind turbine. If the design is efficient and robust, every rural community on the Upper Great and Great Plains could install one or more to reduce the bite of increasing electricity rates and provide power to ethanol plants. Electricity is quality of life; rural Americans can act to improve "QoL."
A “Letter to the Editor” in The Wall Street Journal (13 August) spurred me to read the 25 June report the letter referenced in the context of HR 2154 (“Rural Energy”). America's “fossil-fuel addiction” will lead to diversifying ag incomes and wide-spread rural development through energy production. Or we will “twiddle our thumbs” until our quality of life “goes to hell in a hand-basket.” One or the other- our choice.
In enacting HR 2154- Rural Energy for America Act of 2007- the Congress found that--
(1) rising energy costs and uncertain long-term energy supplies threaten to undermine the growth of the United States economy;
(2) since 2003, fuel and fertilizer costs have nearly doubled for agricultural producers;
(3) there are continuing and increasing risks to the energy security of the United States;
(4) having an affordable, reliable, and plentiful energy supply will strengthen the United States economy and improve domestic energy security;
(5) the agricultural sector can provide a significant source of clean, sustainable energy for the United States that can reduce the dependence of the United States on imported energy and lower energy costs for all people of the United States;
(6) agriculture-based energy--
(A) boosts rural economic development
(B) increases farm-based income
(C) creates manufacturing, construction, and service jobs
(D) expands economic opportunity for all people and
(E) improves environmental quality.
A little more than one month later, on 25 July, 2007, “New Power Plants Fueled by Coal Are Put on Hold” was published by The Wall Street Journal. Rebecca Smith reported, on pages A1 and A10
--from coast to coast, plans for a new generation of coal-fired power plants are falling by the wayside as states conclude that conventional coal plants are too dirty to build and the cost of cleaner plants too high.
[agriculture-based energy- wind and solar power and biofuels- in contrast, are another aspect of the stewardship successfully practiced by American farmers, ranchers, and other operators]
--if significant numbers of new coal plants don't get built in the U.S. in coming years, it will put pressure on officials to
--clear the path for other power sources, including nuclear power or
--trim the nation's electricity demand, so far this year growing at a brisk 2.7% annualarized rate.
[more than 60 clean energy-related bills are in-work for the 110th Congress, many of them involving the agriculture industry in one way or another]
-- ... long-term consequences of not building the plants ... higher prices or the potential for shortages.
[a focused effort to harvest some of the more than three thousand billion kWhs of wind power that blows through the Upper Great Plains states each year can be a means to avoiding those consequences]
--by May 2007, 150 new plants were planned for construction alongside the 645 existing U.S. plants
--coal was expected to reduce the use of natural gas, even though coal emits twice as much carbon dioxide when burned as does NG
page A10
--nearly two dozen coal projects have been cancelled since early 2006 [source: National Energy Technology Laboratory]
--on 18 July, Citibank commented: “prophesies of a new wave of coal-fired generation have vaporized.“
--climate change has become a hot-button political issue
--China is expected to become a net importer of coal this year. Sales to China may substitute for [reduced] U.S. purchases.
--new nuke plants are several years away [and themselves face intense resistance from a number of groups]
--wind and solar power [aren't "always on at the flip of a switch"]
[what agriculture-based energy production lacks- for the time being- in efficiency compared to traditional power plants, it would make up for when millions of acres of agriculture land concurrently produce energy]
[agriculture-based energy production on the Upper Great Plains states co-exists with nearly all agriculture operations and other organizations. While many ag operations are seasonal, energy productions are perennial]
--if coal stumbles, natural gas is “the bridge fuel.” But other industries are increasing their use of NG as a fuel or raw material [such as for fertilizer, raising the specter of importing more foreign NG, in addition to oil].
--sudden and forceful changes to the nature of the power industry have arisen because of environmental concerns and the costs associated with eradicating them
[wind and solar power production use no fossil fuels, so no emissions. Biofuels may or may not emit fewer pollutants than fossil fuels; it depends on who is measuring and what is being measured. One agriculture-based energy production method- anaerobic digestion- converts animal wastes into hydrogen and other products.]
--Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is not in favor of Xcel Energy buying coal gas from Excelsior Energy largely because a $635.4 million pipeline for carrying carbon dioxide would have to be built
--Xcel in Colorado is buying 775 MW of wind power to offset the carbon dioxide emitted by a 750 MW coal-fired plant
--Peabody Energy and ConocoPhillips may build a coal gasification plant; claims its coal gas [$5 – $6 per trillion cubic feet] may be price-competitive with natural gas [$2 – $3 per trillion cubic feet]. [What assumptions allow this?]
[weighing all of the pros and cons, from environmental to manufacturing job creation to local economic development, wind power today is price-competitive with coal- and nuclear-fired power plants].
Several high-wind hours on Aug 15 here in Watertown: SE at 8 mph; also had a couple of hours of Calm (less than 5 mph).
'Til next time, Best Wind.
A “Letter to the Editor” in The Wall Street Journal (13 August) spurred me to read the 25 June report the letter referenced in the context of HR 2154 (“Rural Energy”). America's “fossil-fuel addiction” will lead to diversifying ag incomes and wide-spread rural development through energy production. Or we will “twiddle our thumbs” until our quality of life “goes to hell in a hand-basket.” One or the other- our choice.
In enacting HR 2154- Rural Energy for America Act of 2007- the Congress found that--
(1) rising energy costs and uncertain long-term energy supplies threaten to undermine the growth of the United States economy;
(2) since 2003, fuel and fertilizer costs have nearly doubled for agricultural producers;
(3) there are continuing and increasing risks to the energy security of the United States;
(4) having an affordable, reliable, and plentiful energy supply will strengthen the United States economy and improve domestic energy security;
(5) the agricultural sector can provide a significant source of clean, sustainable energy for the United States that can reduce the dependence of the United States on imported energy and lower energy costs for all people of the United States;
(6) agriculture-based energy--
(A) boosts rural economic development
(B) increases farm-based income
(C) creates manufacturing, construction, and service jobs
(D) expands economic opportunity for all people and
(E) improves environmental quality.
A little more than one month later, on 25 July, 2007, “New Power Plants Fueled by Coal Are Put on Hold” was published by The Wall Street Journal. Rebecca Smith reported, on pages A1 and A10
--from coast to coast, plans for a new generation of coal-fired power plants are falling by the wayside as states conclude that conventional coal plants are too dirty to build and the cost of cleaner plants too high.
[agriculture-based energy- wind and solar power and biofuels- in contrast, are another aspect of the stewardship successfully practiced by American farmers, ranchers, and other operators]
--if significant numbers of new coal plants don't get built in the U.S. in coming years, it will put pressure on officials to
--clear the path for other power sources, including nuclear power or
--trim the nation's electricity demand, so far this year growing at a brisk 2.7% annualarized rate.
[more than 60 clean energy-related bills are in-work for the 110th Congress, many of them involving the agriculture industry in one way or another]
-- ... long-term consequences of not building the plants ... higher prices or the potential for shortages.
[a focused effort to harvest some of the more than three thousand billion kWhs of wind power that blows through the Upper Great Plains states each year can be a means to avoiding those consequences]
--by May 2007, 150 new plants were planned for construction alongside the 645 existing U.S. plants
--coal was expected to reduce the use of natural gas, even though coal emits twice as much carbon dioxide when burned as does NG
page A10
--nearly two dozen coal projects have been cancelled since early 2006 [source: National Energy Technology Laboratory]
--on 18 July, Citibank commented: “prophesies of a new wave of coal-fired generation have vaporized.“
--climate change has become a hot-button political issue
--China is expected to become a net importer of coal this year. Sales to China may substitute for [reduced] U.S. purchases.
--new nuke plants are several years away [and themselves face intense resistance from a number of groups]
--wind and solar power [aren't "always on at the flip of a switch"]
[what agriculture-based energy production lacks- for the time being- in efficiency compared to traditional power plants, it would make up for when millions of acres of agriculture land concurrently produce energy]
[agriculture-based energy production on the Upper Great Plains states co-exists with nearly all agriculture operations and other organizations. While many ag operations are seasonal, energy productions are perennial]
--if coal stumbles, natural gas is “the bridge fuel.” But other industries are increasing their use of NG as a fuel or raw material [such as for fertilizer, raising the specter of importing more foreign NG, in addition to oil].
--sudden and forceful changes to the nature of the power industry have arisen because of environmental concerns and the costs associated with eradicating them
[wind and solar power production use no fossil fuels, so no emissions. Biofuels may or may not emit fewer pollutants than fossil fuels; it depends on who is measuring and what is being measured. One agriculture-based energy production method- anaerobic digestion- converts animal wastes into hydrogen and other products.]
--Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is not in favor of Xcel Energy buying coal gas from Excelsior Energy largely because a $635.4 million pipeline for carrying carbon dioxide would have to be built
--Xcel in Colorado is buying 775 MW of wind power to offset the carbon dioxide emitted by a 750 MW coal-fired plant
--Peabody Energy and ConocoPhillips may build a coal gasification plant; claims its coal gas [$5 – $6 per trillion cubic feet] may be price-competitive with natural gas [$2 – $3 per trillion cubic feet]. [What assumptions allow this?]
[weighing all of the pros and cons, from environmental to manufacturing job creation to local economic development, wind power today is price-competitive with coal- and nuclear-fired power plants].
Several high-wind hours on Aug 15 here in Watertown: SE at 8 mph; also had a couple of hours of Calm (less than 5 mph).
'Til next time, Best Wind.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
ATTRA and Farm energy
ATTRA
• is part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
• provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
• services are available to farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, Extension agents, researchers, educators, farm organizations, and others involved in commercial agriculture.
Its "Farm Energy" sidebar link goes to a page listing publications, success stories, and additional links regarding "Renewable Energy" categories, which are discussed in the "Introduction"
• Biodiesel
• Ethanol
• Wind Energy
• Solar Energy
• Anaerobic Digesters and Other Biomass Options
• Energy Co-ops and Local Ownership and
• Funding Opportunities.
• is part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service.
• provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
• services are available to farmers, ranchers, market gardeners, Extension agents, researchers, educators, farm organizations, and others involved in commercial agriculture.
Its "Farm Energy" sidebar link goes to a page listing publications, success stories, and additional links regarding "Renewable Energy" categories, which are discussed in the "Introduction"
• Biodiesel
• Ethanol
• Wind Energy
• Solar Energy
• Anaerobic Digesters and Other Biomass Options
• Energy Co-ops and Local Ownership and
• Funding Opportunities.
This post focuses on the "Wind Energy" link. Future posts will cover more farm energy topics in greater detail.
Renewable Energy Opportunities on the Farm
• can be read online or as a PDF (20-page)
• is not a technical guide for designing or installing renewable energy systems
• is an overview that provides information on wind, solar, and renewable fuel technologies, cost and savings, site planning, and financial incentives
• introduces three renewable energy resources that can be attractive and economically feasible for the farm: solar, wind, and renewable fuels.
Renewable energy can prevent the release of pollutants into the atmosphere and contribute significantly to local economies, creating jobs and keeping energy dollars in the local economy.
__________________________________
Small wind turbines-
--Skystream 3.7, Southwest Windpower USA, MSRP: $5,400, residential wind generator that hooks up to your your home, Rated Power not provided, Peak Power 2400 W, Output/Month 400 kW @ 20 mph (9.5 m/s).
--Whisper 500, Southwest Windpower USA, The 3000-watt rated turbine will deliver in excess of 500 KWH per month in a 12 mph (5.2 m/s), Rated Power 3000 Watts, Peak Power 3200 W @ 27 mph (12 m/s), Output/Month 538 kW @ 12 mph (5.3 m/s).
--BWC Excel & Excel-R, Bergey USA, well suited for large rural homes, remote villages and facilities, Rated Power not provided, Peak Power 10 kW @ 31 mph (13,8 m/s), Output/Month 1500 kW (XLSheet) @ 12.5 mph (5.6 m/s).
--Wind Turbine Industries Corporation's 20Kw Jacobs® Wind Turbine, Rated Wind Speed (mph) 26 mph, in 16 mph wind may yield 60,665 kWh annually, Complete System with 120 ft. tower- $56,100.00, Grid Intertie System option.
--Fuhrländer FL 30, Power Output: 30 kW, specifications are in PDF.
--Energy Maintenance Service, LLC, Remanufactured E15 35kW or 65kW (approx. $2 per output watt purchase price), proven track records of reliable performance. Small/community wind turbine.
Community wind turbine-
--Distributed Energy Systems (previously known as Northern Power Systems) NorthWind 100 wind turbine NorthWind 100 Wind Turbine brochure/specification is a PDF.
--Fuhrländer's FL 250 has proven in inland and coastal location that wind turbines of the medium class continue to be of commercial use. Designed for a life of 25 years.
129 items found for wind turbine on eBay (24 June).
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