CWC Feasibility Study Analysis

Technical Support for Wind Turbine Feasibility Analysis

Summary
The Community Wind Collaborative provides qualified municipalities with technical support to explore the potential for megawatt scale municipal wind project development for municipal benefit.  The Feasibility Study provides a municipality with an in-depth analysis of the feasibility of a 500 kW to 5 MW wind project at a specific site, including an assessment of wind resources, physical site characteristics, potential environmental impacts, the development process, and the economics of various business models and project sizes.  

A Community Wind Collaborative Feasibility Analysis may include the following steps:
Wind Monitoring

  • Working with MTC, the municipality obtains necessary permits for meteorological equipment at or near the proposed project site.
  • MTC consultants install a meteorological tower to collect twelve months of site-specific wind data.
  • MTC consultants analyze the wind data to determine long-term wind speeds and patterns.

Site Screening

  • An MTC-approved consulting firm is assigned to examine the site for potential fatal flaws.
  • Aviation consultants provide a preliminary analysis of potential airspace issues.

Technical and Economic Analysis

  • Timed to coincide with completion of wind monitoring.
  • An MTC-approved consulting firm reviews the technical and economic feasibility of a wind project at the proposed site, addressing issues including:
    • Electrical production based on wind speeds
    • On-site load to be served by a project
    • Interconnection with the electrical grid
    • Ability to transport wind turbines to site
    • Anticipated visual impacts
    • Wetlands, endangered species, and other environmental impacts
    • Potential project economics under various business models

Business Planning

  • After the feasibility study is released, MTC-approved consultants work with the municipality to help it decide what type of wind project (if any) is right for the community.

NOTE:  If fatal flaws are identified during wind monitoring, site screening, or the technical and economic analysis, MTC will not proceed further with the feasibility analysis.

Eligible Applicants/Projects

  • Open to Massachusetts Municipalities whose residents pay into the Renewable Energy Trust
  • The municipality must be interested in pursuing a 500 kW to 5 MW wind project at a specific municipally-owned site (no private or state lands)
  • The estimated average annual wind speed at the site must be 14.5 mph (6.5 m/s) or greater
  • The applicant must submit a completed UMass municipal Wind Turbine Site Survey for the project site

To Apply

  • Complete and submit the application form found here.
  • Please identify a municipal employee that can serve as the contact point for this project.
  • Fully completed applications will be reviewed in the order that they were received.  Submission of a complete application does not assure that a Feasibility Study will be offered.
  • Feasibility Study services will be provided to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to consultant and staff availability, and within the funding levels approved the MTC Board of Directors.  See application form for additional details.
  • The municipality is responsible for acquiring any permits required for a met tower.

 
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Marybeth Campbell
508-870-0312 x238
cwc@masstech.org