What Are The Requirements For Airstreams Renewables?
Airstreams Renewables Inc. (ARI) is a leading provider of training and education for careers in the wind energy industry. The company offers certificate programs and training courses focused on wind turbine technician skills, helping prepare students for careers installing, inspecting, and maintaining wind turbines.
Wind energy has experienced rapid growth as a renewable energy source, with utility-scale wind farms sprouting up across the country. Wind turbines transform kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical power, which is converted into electricity by an onboard generator. Wind turbine technicians are needed to maintain and service these complex machines, which require regular upkeep and expertise to operate efficiently.
ARI provides hands-on educational programs at its training facilities, allowing students to gain practical experience working on actual wind turbines. With projected growth in wind energy and turbine technician jobs, ARI’s programs offer training aligned with an in-demand career field focused on clean, renewable power generation.
Wind Resource Assessment
To determine if a location has adequate wind resources for a wind energy project, detailed wind resource assessments are conducted. Average wind speeds of at least 13 mph at hub height are considered the minimum threshold for a viable wind energy project. However, average speeds of 16 mph or greater are preferred to maximize energy production.
Measuring the wind resource involves installing equipment like anemometers and wind vanes on met towers erected at the potential site. Data on wind speeds, direction, and consistency at various heights is gathered over a 1-2 year period. This provides insights into the wind profile and helps determine the optimal turbine model and placement. Factors like topography and surface roughness are also evaluated as they impact wind flow.
Conducting wind resource assessments is a critical first step in developing a successful wind energy project. Thorough measurements over an extended timeframe help ensure the site can reliably generate the expected amount of clean electricity.
Permitting & Zoning
Installing wind turbines and developing wind farms requires obtaining permits at the local, state, and federal levels. According to the Airstreams Renewables School Catalog, key permitting requirements include:
Local permitting often involves obtaining zoning variances, building permits, and completing environmental impact reviews. Zoning regulations may restrict the height and noise levels of wind turbines and setback distances from property lines.
At the state level, permits are required for activities such as stormwater management and wetlands disturbance. States may also require approvals for connecting to the electric grid. According to the Airstreams Renewables website, knowledge of state interconnection standards is a key competency for employment in the renewable energy industry.
Federal agencies like the FAA, FCC, Army Corps of Engineers, and Fish and Wildlife Service may require reviews and approvals. For example, the FAA regulates obstacles to air navigation and the Corps regulates impacts to navigable waterways under the Clean Water Act.
Understanding the permitting processes at multiple levels of government is crucial for developing wind energy projects in a legal and timely manner.
Interconnection Standards
Interconnection standards specify the technical and procedural requirements for connecting renewable energy systems to the local utility grid. They are developed at the state and local level to ensure the safety and reliability of the grid when integrating distributed energy sources like wind turbines (Airstreams Renewables). The standards outline a multi-step process for gaining approval to interconnect, including initial application, review, commissioning tests, final approval, and ongoing compliance.
Some key interconnection requirements for wind projects include (https://www.nrel.gov/state-local-tribal/basics-interconnection-standards.html):
- Power factor and voltage criteria to ensure stable grid operation
- Safety and technical standards for the hardware, wiring, and controls
- Testing and certification of the installation by qualified professionals
- Remote monitoring, control, and communication capabilities
- Procedures for planned/emergency disconnection from the grid
- Liability insurance and other financial requirements
Understanding the specific interconnection standards for connecting a wind system in the target location is critical for gaining approval and ensuring a smooth integration with the local utility infrastructure.
Foundations & Site Prep
Wind turbines require proper foundations and site preparation to ensure the stability and performance of the towers. According to Airstreams Renewables, the site should have firm soil conditions like concrete or bedrock to support the heavy loads of the tower, turbine, and blades (https://www.air-streams.com/Category/Admissions). The foundation needs to resist sideways and rotational forces from wind loads on the turbine. Concrete foundations are commonly used and they must be properly designed based on soil conditions.
Typical construction steps involve excavating the site, installing anchor bolts, building formwork, pouring concrete, and backfilling around the foundation. The diameter and depth of the foundation depends on the size of the turbine model. Larger turbines generally need foundations up to 20 feet deep with a diameter of 50 feet or more (https://air-streams.com/Category/Admissions). Reinforcing steel rebar cages help strengthen the concrete. After curing, the tower base can be bolted onto the exposed anchor bolts.
Proper site access roads are also necessary to deliver heavy turbine components. Upgrades may be required to existing roads and crane pads need to be constructed. All of this must be planned out while evaluating the terrain and soil conditions. With the right geotechnical investigations and foundation design, wind projects can be safely constructed even in remote locations.
Turbine Specifications
Wind turbines have dramatically increased in size over the past decade, with average turbine heights now reaching over 400 feet. According to Airstreams Renewables, the most common wind turbines sizes used today are between 2.0-3.0 MW, with rotor diameters ranging from 350-400 feet (Airstreams Renewables). Larger turbines are able to capture more wind energy and convert it into electricity. However, there are limits on how large turbines can grow due to transportation logistics as well as material and construction constraints.
Modern wind turbines are designed with advanced safety features and have sophisticated monitoring systems. All turbine components are monitored electronically in real-time to detect any anomalies and shut down the turbine if issues arise. Common safety mechanisms include brake systems, vibration sensors, and lightning protection. With certified training, technicians are able to safely harness wind energy and carry out any required maintenance (Airstreams Renewables).
Maintenance Requirements
Proper maintenance is crucial for wind turbines to operate efficiently and maximize their lifespan. Routine maintenance on wind turbines includes inspecting components and replacing worn parts. Some key maintenance needs include:
Lubricating gears, bearings, and other moving parts. Most components require regular lubrication to prevent excessive wear. The gearbox oil, for example, needs changing every 1-2 years [1].
Inspecting and replacing blades. Wind turbine blades are subject to wear from debris impacts, lightning strikes, and fatigue over time. Blades are visually inspected for any cracks or damage. Damaged sections can be repaired, or full blade replacement may be needed every 10-20 years [1].
Checking electrical connections and components. Technicians inspect wiring, transformers, inverters, sensors, and electronics that send power to the grid. These are repaired or replaced as needed.
Testing brakes and pitch systems. The brakes and blade pitch mechanisms are tested regularly to ensure proper functioning, as they are critical safety systems.
Wind turbine lifespans are typically 20-25 years. With proper maintenance and component replacements, turbines can sometimes operate past 30 years [2]. Regular upkeep allows turbines to maximize energy production and return on investment over their operating life.
Power Generation
The estimated annual power generation for a wind turbine depends on several factors including the turbine’s size, wind speeds at the site, and the turbine’s capacity factor. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical onshore wind turbine with a capacity of 2.5-3 MW can produce 6 million kWh – 10 million kWh of electricity annually at sites with good wind speeds (https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work). The capacity factor, which measures a turbine’s actual productivity over a period of time as a percentage of its maximum potential, is also important. The average capacity factor for wind turbines in the U.S. ranges from 25-45% (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35097.pdf). At sites with the best wind resources and newer turbine technology, capacity factors can exceed 50%. By estimating the turbine size, wind speeds, and likely capacity factor at a prospective wind site, developers can forecast the potential annual power generation. Detailed wind resource assessments and power production modeling are critical steps in evaluating possible wind energy projects.
Economic Analysis
The economic viability of wind power projects depends on several factors, including the cost of the wind turbines and other system components, the wind resource at the site, financial incentives, and the price obtained for the generated electricity. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the installed costs for wind power projects in 2019 ranged from $1,215-$2,919 per kW, with an average cost of around $1,600/kW (https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/downloads/2019-wind-market-reports). This includes all expenses for the turbine, tower, transmission equipment, civil works, contractor work, permitting, financing, and other costs.
The payback period, or the amount of time it takes for a wind project to recoup its initial investment through electricity sales, can range from 5-20 years depending on the project economics. Key factors impacting the payback period include the installed cost, the project’s capacity factor based on the wind resource, the price obtained for the electricity, and available financial incentives like the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and accelerated depreciation (https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy04osti/35969.pdf).
The ITC provides wind projects with a tax credit equal to 26% of capital costs if construction began by the end of 2020. Accelerated depreciation enables wind projects to depreciate equipment costs over 5 years for tax purposes. These incentives can dramatically improve project economics and reduce the payback period.
Airstreams Renewables works to provide wind energy while minimizing environmental impact. They aim to reduce carbon emissions and provide clean renewable energy. However, wind turbines can negatively impact local wildlife if not properly sited and mitigated.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, a typical wind turbine displaces over 900 tons of CO2 per year that would have been produced from fossil fuel generation sources (https://www.awea.org/wind-101/benefits-of-wind/environmental-benefits). With many turbines across a wind farm, the emissions reduction can be substantial. Wind energy helps combat climate change by avoiding significant greenhouse gas emissions.
However wind turbines can negatively affect birds and bats through collisions or habitat disruption if not properly sited and mitigated. Proper siting to avoid major bird migration paths is critical, along with deploying the latest deterrent and detection technologies. The US Fish & Wildlife Service issues guidelines on siting and mitigating wind project impacts on wildlife that should be strictly followed (https://www.fws.gov/ecological-services/energy-development/wind.html). With careful siting and mitigation measures, wind energy’s benefits can far outweigh the costs.
