April 2009 – In 2008, the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) began testing small wind turbines (SWTs) through its Independent Testing project. Four SWTs, including Gaia-Wind’s 11kW turbine, were selected through a competitive solicitation for testing at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). NREL’s NWTC is accredited by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) to conduct power performance, power quality, noise, safety and function, and duration tests to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. Results of the tests conducted on each of the SWTs will be publicly available and will likely be used by the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) to certify SWTs. The results may also be used by states to decide which turbines are eligible for state incentives.
Reducing barriers for SWTs to enter the market will provide consumers in a range of sectors (including residential, ranchers/farmers, business, and community applications such as schools, tribes, municipal utilities, and rural electric cooperatives) the opportunity to invest in indigenous energy, and contribute to the shift towards energy independence. The paper will report results of testing to date and put the test results in perspective for the average consumer. Other topics include a description of DOE’s intent for a second solicitation for Independent Testing, and a discussion of the DOE’s support for developing additional testing centers to conduct preliminary screening of SWTs to identify those turbines that are not ready for the commercial market.
Benefits and Learning Objectives
The Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory began testing small wind turbines through its Independent Testing project in 2008. This project was introduced to AWEA participants at Windpower 2008. The purpose of this paper is to report the available results from the testing completed to date and to put the test results in perspective for the average consumer. Reportable tests will include power performance, power quality, noise, safety and function, and duration (if completed). The paper will further explain how the results of these tests can be used by the Small Wind Certification Council, an organization being formed to certify small wind turbines. Small wind turbine certification will provide a higher degree of confidence for the U. S. consumer that the small wind turbines they are installing will perform as advertised.
Amy Bowen B.S., Electrical Test Engineer
National Renewable Energy Lab
1617 Cole Blvd.
Golden, CO, United States
Amy.Bowen@nrel.gov
(303) 384-6931
When: Thursday, May 7, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Where: McCormick Place Convention Center – Room S103
I hope to be able to attend. Every “efficent, appropriate scale and size” psmall wind system without a “foorprint” (or a negative carbon footprint) on the smart-grid 2.0; will not only reduce human carbon emmissions, reduce oil imoports, increase grids’ immunity to acts of man and/or god, dissuade terrorist attack, but additionally, increase economic independence of the consumers, grid infrastructure managers, stakeholder, and utility shareholders’ exposure to the same….in short be a win-win-win-win for all involved, analagous to employee owned airlines and/or farmer owned cooperatives. Maybe those who hate the sight of a tree or puke at the soundd of the breeze will then object…Abraham Lincoln said there would be days like this…
Wow good stuff, thanks for the good read.