CALIFORNIA WIND ENERGY COLLABORATIVE

SMALL WIND ENERGY INFORMATION

Resources for Local Government Authorities Small wind turbines provide clean electricity to a home or business and generally have an output of up to 10 kilowatts. The information on these web pages is designed to aid local government authorities that are making decisions on planning applications for small wind turbines or planning for the future development of small wind turbines in their area. Although the resources were compiled with local authorities in mind, the information is also useful to others interested in small wind energy, including those installing small wind turbines. Weighing the benefits and costs of small wind turbine technology can be difficult for planning authorities, who must consider various needs and perspectives. The process is easier when decision-makers have accurate information about the technology, economics, and environmental issues. Since conflicting interests often arise when small wind turbines are proposed, it is very important for planners to talk openly to system owners and neighbors from the earliest stage in the project’s development. Through careful planning and frequent discussions with all stakeholders, a project can be designed that maximizes benefits of small wind energy while minimizing the costs. Why should California encourage small wind turbines? Small wind turbines provide a very valuable addition to California’s energy mix, and the Energy Commission encourages local authorities to consider the benefits: Small wind turbines produce clean electricity using free, readily available, indigenous fuel, which benefits the environment and increases energy security for the State of California. Small wind turbines are distributed in nature, meaning that the electricity is produced close to the point of use. This reduces the need to transport fuel to centralized power plants, reduces the need for transmission line upgrades, reduces electricity line losses, and can provide increased stability of the overall electricity system. The installation of distributed renewable energy capacity also delays the need to construct new centralized power plants. Contact Information The California Energy Commission has developed this resource list and has partnered with the California Wind Energy Consortium and the Local Government Commission to distribute the information. If you have additional technical questions regarding small wind turbines in California, you may email Dora Yen, the California Energy Commission’s small wind technical contact. If you know of additional resources on small wind energy that would be helpful to local government authorities, or have comments on this web site, please email smallwind@cwec.ucdavis.edu. List of Resources categorized by: General Information State and Regional Information Local Government Information Local/Rural Economic Development Issues Siting/Permitting and Environmental Issues Consumer Information Incentive Programs Wind Data and Maps Photographs of Small Wind Turbines Research and Development Educational Resources

General Information General information about wind energy and sites covering a variety of topics. American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) A wealth of information covering policy, economic, and technical issues. AWEA Small Wind Turbine Information State-by-state information, policy issues, incentives, interconnection issues, wind resource information, and more. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) Energy Efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, kids’ info, solicitations, energy financing. EREN Wind Energy Page Explanation of the technology, uses for wind turbines, research advances, environmental benefits, economics. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Research, technology transfer, news & events, publications, photo library, data, statistics, education programs. NREL Clean Energy Basics Basic info on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) and Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology (CREST) Information and publications on a wide variety of topics and renewable energy technologies. The Source Renewable Energy Directory Database of renewable energy businesses and organizations. Wind Powering America (WPA) Small wind turbine info, ownership structures, turbines on Native American land, FAQs, workshops, calendar of wind energy events. Back to Top State and Regional Information Information of specific interest to California and the Northwest region. American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) State-by-State Information State-by-state information for consumers of small wind turbines. California Energy Commission (CEC) California state agency involved in energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, siting, research and development, also Energy Quest-kids page. Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) Community outreach activities, incentive database. League of California Cities Various resources on energy issues directed toward California cities. *Renewable Energy for California: Benefits, Status & Potential* A study by the Renewable Energy Policy Project that estimates that California can more than double its renewable electricity generation by 2020. Stimulating Public-sector Implementation of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) A program run by the Local Government Commission that provides financing and procurement assistance to California municipalities for the installation of renewable energy systems. Wind Powering America's (WPA) Small Wind Turbine Page State incentive programs, net metering, technology options, consumer’s guide. Back to Top Local Government Information Information of specific interest to local governments. Assembly Bill 1207 Encourages local governments to either adopt an ordinance that would permit small wind energy systems, or to approve wind systems that meet certain minimum criteria until July 1, 2005. American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Policy Maker’s Toolbox Model laws and policies, sample letters for communicating with utilities and consumers. American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Wind Energy and Energy Policy Resources Resources on wind and other renewable energy sources for regulators and policymakers. League of California Cities Includes various resources on energy issues directed toward California cities. Public Technology Inc. Energy Task Force Addresses problems faced by local governments in the areas of energy, environment, public safety, telecommunications and information, and transportation. Stimulating Public-sector Implementation of Renewable Energy (SPIRE) Provides financing and procurement assistance to help California local governments overcome barriers to installation of municipal renewable energy systems. Of particular interest is the Renewable Energy Assistance Packet. Wind Power for Local Governments This site from the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives and features in-depth descriptions of the different strategies that local governments can take to promote wind energy as well as case studies, FAQs, and more. Back to Top Local/Rural Economic Development Issues How wind energy can aid in economic development. American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Wind Energy and Energy Policy Resources Resources on wind and other renewable energy sources for regulators and policymakers. National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) Economic Development Subcommittee Information from the NWCC subcommittee that deals with economic development issues for wind energy. Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED) Energy programs for rural economic development. The Effect of Wind Energy Development on State and Local Economies A NWCC issue paper. Brief version or full version. Wind Powering America (WPA) Includes info on wind energy projects in minority communities. Back to Top Siting/Permitting and Environmental Issues Learn about siting and permitting small wind turbines and their environmental effects and benefits. American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Environmental Benefits Information Links to information on the environmental benefits of renewables, including information on climate change and the Clean Air Act. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network's (EREN) Environmental Issues Visual impacts, birds, global warming, lightening, noise, TV interference. National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) Avian and habitat issues, permitting, economic development, green power marketing. Issue briefs and papers on all topics. NWCC Siting Subcommittee Information from the NWCC subcommittee that deals with environmental, permitting, and zoning issues. NWCC Permitting Handbook Permitting Wind Energy Facilities: A Handbook. NWCC Issue Brief - Siting Issues Siting issues for wind power plants. NWCC Avian Subcommittee Information from the NWCC subcommittee that deals with avian issues. National Wind Technology Center's Avian Literature Database Information about the DOE/NREL national research program to study and address wind turbine-avian issues. Back to Top Consumer Information Sites with information specific to wind turbine buyers. American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) State-by-State Information State-by-state information for consumers of small wind turbines. California Energy Commission (CEC) Consumer Energy Center Consumer information and tips on rebates, loans, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation. *Buying a Small Wind Turbine* A CEC small wind turbine consumer's guide. Tax Credit For Small Wind Systems Information from the CEC on California's tax credit for small wind systems. CEC’s Emerging Renewables Buy-Down Program Rebates for renewable energy systems in California. Program description, how to apply, financing, equipment list, fun facts. California Wind Energy Consortium Anemometer loan program, technician training, wind statistics data collection. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) Energy efficiency and renewable energy information, kids’ information, solicitations, energy financing. Home Power Magazine Article: Apples and Oranges Contains comparisons of most small wind turbines; definitions of commonly used technical terms. *Small Wind Electric Systems: A U.S. Consumers Guide* A Wind Powering America consumer guide. Wind Powering America's (WPA) Small Wind Turbine Page State incentive programs, net metering, technology options, consumer’s guide. Back to Top Incentive Programs American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Policy Information State incentives, policy, advocacy information, and more. California Energy Commission's Emerging Renewables Buy-Down Program Rebates for renewable energy systems in California. Program description, how to apply, financing, equipment list, fun facts. California Energy Commission's Tax Credit Information Information on California tax credit for small wind systems. Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) Database of renewable energy incentives by state. Wind Powering America’s (WPA) State Incentives for Small Wind Turbines Chart Chart listing state incentives, annual funding, length of the incentive program, whether a resource map is available, percent of rural land, and more. Back to Top Wind Data and Maps American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) Wind Project Map Map and information on existing and planned wind energy projects across the US. California Energy Commission Wind Energy Page Statistics, California wind resource map, links. California Wind Energy Consortium Anemometer loan program, technician training, wind statistics data collection. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) Wind resources estimating, measuring, forecasting, mapping, data. National Wind Technology Center's Wind Database A national wind resource database. Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development's (SEED) Mapping Effort Wind mapping project for the northwest region of the United States. Renewable Energy Atlas of the West Covers wind, solar, biomass and geothermal resources for 11 western states. Also includes overlays for existing facilities and incentive programs and information about transmission congestion and generation potential. Renewable Potential Maps These Energy Information Administration maps present an integrated picture of renewable energy resource in each U.S. Census Division. Solar, geothermal, and wind energy potentials and indicators of hydroelectric biomass, and wood energy potential are presented. Wind Energy Resource Atlas This atlas estimates wind energy resource for the United States and its territories and indicates general areas where a high wind resource may exist. Windustry’s Map of Wind Turbines Map of wind turbine sites across the country. Back to Top Photographs of Small Wind Turbines National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Photolibrary: Photographic Information eXchange (PIX) Renewable energy and energy efficiency technology photographs for downloading. Searchable by technology and location. Back to Top Research and Development California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program Information about the PIER Program and solicitations. California Wind Energy Consortium Anemometer loan program, technician training, wind statistics data collection. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network's (EREN) Wind Research Information Information on research and testing of wind turbines. National Wind Technology Center's Research Information Wind turbine research information. Back to Top Educational Resources Resources specifically for kids. California Energy Commission Energy Quest Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) Back to Top