Course: WIND 100WH Introduction to Wind Energy

Reading Assignments

SubTabs

- Module 2, Lesson 1
- Table of Contents (Selected)
- M2L1 Glossasry (Selected)

Read the publication by AWEA "10 Steps to Developing a Wind Farm" by clicking on this link.

Read "12 Steps to Building a Wind Farm" below:

1.) Site Identification: After consulting topographical maps, wind maps, and leads from landowners,
we identify potential wind farm sites.

2.) Cooperation Agreements: To secure the development rights to these tracts of lands, we work to
reach cooperative agreements with landowners.

3.) Wind Assessment: As the most critical step in the process, yearlong wind assessments determine
definitively whether the selected sites can support wind farms. Anemometers measure wind
speed and automatically email us daily updates.

4.) Zoning: During the wind assessment period, we work with local planning boards to get zoning
approval.

5.) FAA Approval: A thorough assessment of surrounding air space is conducted and the site’s
proximity to airports is measured – ensuring air traffic is not disturbed.

6.) Avian Assessment: This is a commitment to preserve bird and bat populations. Our sites undergo
thorough ornithological studies to ensure they will not affect migratory routes.

7.) Engineering: Engineers develop turbine layout plans that optimize the available wind resources.
Landowners provide final approval on the site plans.

8.) Lease Finalization: Once the projects are ready for construction, we finalize our lease terms with
landowners.

9.) Power Purchase Agreement: We then negotiate long-term agreements with utility companies.

10.) Interconnection Agreement: Impact studies are conducted while interconnection agreements
with transmission line owners are negotiated.

11.) Construction: Construction generally takes 9 to 12 months, during which times landowners are
fully compensated for crop loss.

12.) Operation: Turbines begin to generate clean, renewable, electrical power.