Wind Power Today and Tomorrow

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U.S. Department of Energy 4 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Cover photo:Today, wind power plants of various size provide enough energy to meet the needs of more than 3 million homes. Innovative wind energy technologies for future applications may include offshore deepwater development, working with hydropower to provide a stable supply of electricity, the use of wind energy to clean and move water and the production of hydrogen.

2003 Wind Energy Research Highlights U.S. wind energy capacity tops 6300 MW in 2003 . .

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. . .2 DOE launches Phase II Low Wind Speed Research .

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. . .5 New drivetrain tested at NREL reduces weight by 30% .

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.7 Sandia teams design new carbon/glass fiber hybrid blades . . .

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.8 NREL 9s new hydraulic resonance blade test ... more. less.

system cuts test time by more than 50% . . . . . . . . . . .9 DOE awards $1.5 million in grants for R&D to advance small wind turbines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 WPA finalizes new wind resource maps for five additional states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 First Native American wind turbine goes on line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 DOE initiates research effort on offshore development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 DOE sponsors IEA R&D Wind Annex XI Topical Expert Meeting on the Integration of Wind and Hydropower Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Contents WIND POWER TODAY AND TOMORROW: THE ADVANCING INDUSTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 WIND POWER TODAY: DEVELOPING NEW TERRITORIES WITH LOW WIND SPEED TECHNOLOGIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 WIND POWER TOMORROW: FUELING THE FUTURE WITH WIND . . . .20 THE FEDERAL WIND ENERGY PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 In the 1930s,Leroy Ratzlaff and his family built a small wind turbine to take advantage of the high winds that blow across the ridge where their family farm is located in Hyde County,South Dakota.The turbine produced enough electricity to power their radio.Today,the Ratzlaff farm still reaps the benefits of the wind by hosting seven 1.5-MW wind turbines.The turbines produce enough electricity to power more than 2000 homes and provide more than $10,000 annually in additional income for the family farm.The Ratzlaffs are not alone. From the Midwest to the shores of California to the waters off the East Coast,wind farms,fed by one of this nation 9s cleanest and most abundant renewable resources,are taking root. The goal of the wind energy industry is to contribute 100 GW of wind electricity to our nation 9s energy supply by 2020. By meeting that goal, wind energy will help secure our nation 9s energy future and clean up our environment by displacing about 3 quadrillion Btus of primary energy per year and 65 million metric tons of carbon equivalent per year. 1 2 In 2003,the U.S.wind generating capacity increased by more than 30%.Wind power plants of various size now operate in 32 states with a total generating capacity of 6374MW of power,enough to meet the energy needs of more than 3 million homes.The research and development (R&D) conducted under the U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program has been a key element contributing to the rapid growth of wind energy in the United States.Since the 1970s,DOE researchers and their industry partners have sought ways to produce competitive electricity with wind power,and in the past 30 years,these partnerships have reduced the cost of wind energy by more than 80%. While wind energy technologies have come a long way 4 from powering farm kitchen radios to powering entire cities 4researchers and industry members see this as a small fraction of a wind crop that can provide at least 6% of the nation 9s electricity by 2020.The wind farms that have been built to date primarily take advantage of our country 9s best wind resources (Class 6).However,our nation also enjoys an abundance of lower-wind-speed resources. Class 4 wind resources are more common and they are located closer to the load centers on land and offshore, making them easier and more economical to develop.To develop those areas and ensure continued industry growth, researchers are working to help industry develop technolo- gies that will be profitable in low wind speed environments. In addition to developing utility-scale technologies,the Wind Program works to increase the efficiencies of small wind systems for residential,farm,and business applica- tions.It also works with industry stakeholders to resolve issues that impede growth for both large and small wind system industries. Innovative wind energy technologies for future applica- tions may include offshore deepwater development and the use of wind energy to clean and move water.They are also exploring synergies between wind energy and other tech- nologies such as hydropower and hydrogen.Future research may enable Leroy Ratzlaff 9s descendants to harvest their crops with a combine fueled by hydrogen produced with power from the wind. Working Today to Secure Energy for Tomorrow The mission of the DOE Wind Program is to support the President 9s National Energy Policy published in 2001 by increasing the viability and use of advanced wind energy technology.The pro- gram leads the Nation 9s effort to improve wind energy technology through public/private partner- ships.These partnerships enhance domestic economic benefit from wind power development and coordinate activities that address barriers to the increased use of wind energy. The program is divided into two primary areas;technology viability and technology application.To United States Wind Power Capacity (MW) 6,374 MW as of 12/31/03 Alaska 1.1 California 2,042.6 Colorado 223.2 Hawaii 8.6 Iowa 471.2 Kansas 113.7 Massachusetts 1.0 Michigan 2.4 Minnesota 562.7 Nebraska 14.0 New Mexico 206.6 New York 48.5 North Dakota 66.3 Oregon 259.4 Pennsylvania 129.0 Tennessee 2.0 Texas 1,293.0 Vermont 6.0 Wisconsin 53.0 Wyoming 284.6 Washington 243.8 South Dakota 44.3 West Virginia 66.0 Arkansas 0.1 Idaho 0.2 Maine 0.1 Montana 0.1 New Hampshire 0.1 Oklahoma 176.3 Utah 0.2 Illinois 50.4 Ohio 3.6 2003 U.S. Wind Capacity Map Researchers work with industry partners to advance wind energy technologies and lower the cost of production. Wind farms of various sizes now operate in 32 states. 3 increase the viability of wind energy technology,researchers must reduce its cost and increase its efficiency so it can operate cost effectively in low wind speed resource environ- ments.The current cost of wind energy produced by utility- scale systems is $0.04 3$0.06/kWh in Class 4 resource areas. The goal of the Wind Energy Program is to decrease that cost to $0.03/kWh in Class 4 resource areas onshore and to $0.05/kWh for offshore applications by 2012.The goal for distributed wind technology is to reduce the cost of electric- ity from distributed wind systems to $0.10 3$0.15/kWh in Class 3 wind resources,the same level that is currently achievable in Class 5 winds,by 2007. To increase the application of the technology,the pro- gram works to address barriers that impede industry growth 3 integration into utility systems and other applications and energy sector acceptance.To resolve integration issues,they work with industry and utility representatives to understand how a variable supply like wind energy can be successfully integrated into the utility grid.To gain acceptance,increase public awareness,and improve policies,the program forms strategic partnerships on state and regional levels and provides technical support and information. Æ 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Levelized Cents/kWh Low wind speed sites High wind speed sites Bulk power competitive price band Assumptions: Generating company ownership Wind plant comprised of 100 turbines 30 year levelized cost in constant 2002 dollars No financial incentives included United States Wind Resource Map Cost of Wind Energy While the cost of wind energy has dropped dramatically since 1990, the goal of the Wind Program is to further reduce the cost to $0.03/kWh in low wind speed areas by 2012. 4 Wind energy technologies have advanced leaps and bounds from the small multibladed machines that pumped water and powered direct current applications in the 1930s and 1940s to the quiet, sleek, efficient power plants that provide energy to thousands of homes today. Although 6374 MW of wind capacity may seem like a lot to the average homeowner,it provides a very small percentage of the elect- ricity our nation uses and is a fraction of what our country could produce if we took full advantage of our wind resources.The goal of the U.S.wind industry is to increase our nation 9s wind capacity to 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2020. The winds that blow across the Great Plains alone could generate more electricity than our country uses.However,not all those winds qualify as the excellent Class 6 and 7 resources (annual average wind speeds of 6.7m/s at a height of 10 m[15 mph at a height of 33 ft.] and greater) on which the current industry has been built.As the wind industry continues to grow, the excellent wind resources that are close to load centers and are economical will be devel- oped,leaving only hard-to-access sites and sites with lower wind speeds. 5 Wind energy technologies have moved far beyond the small multibladed machines that pumped water and powered direct current appliances in the 1930s and 1940s to become quiet,sleek multimegawatt power plants that power thousands of homes today.The cost of power from these machines has fallen by 80% over the past 30 years.Many of these advances can be attributed to R&D work conducted under the auspices of DOE 9s turbine devel- opment activities during the past decade.The next generation of machines may not show as dramatic an improvement in appearance and cost reduc- tion,but industry members believe that incremental improvements to turbine efficiency can reduce the cost of wind energy an additional 30% or more. DOE issued a request for proposals on low wind speed technologies to its industry partners in October 2001.The request provided bidders an opportu- nity to participate in one of three technical areas:1) concept and scaling studies,2) component development,and 3) full-scale prototype turbine development.In 2002,the first contracts were awarded,and researchers at DOE 9s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) began working with industry partners to develop technology improvement opportunities.In July 2003,DOE launched the second phase of its low wind speed research by releasing another request for proposals and received 45 proposals by November.NREL will start awarding contracts for qualifying proposals in 2004. Boosting Industry Growth through Public/Private Partnerships The objective of a subcontract awarded to Clipper Windpower,Inc.,as part of the Phase I research,is to develop a 1.5 32.5-MW Quantum prototype turbine that will incorporate advanced turbine components projected to achieve DOE 9s low wind speed COE goals.The company is reducing capital costs through innovative approaches to design and manufacturing processes. Clipper 9s innovative design will include a multiple-generator drivetrain and advanced controls.They are also exploring a variable diameter rotor for improved performance in low wind speed areas and are considering including a self-erecting tower. Researchers at NREL 9s National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) are work- ing with GE Wind Energy to develop an advanced multimegawatt turbine that can approach DOE 9s low wind speed goals.Using DOE 9s Next Generations Turbine Project as a stepping stone,NREL is planning to enter into a subcontract with GE to develop an advanced multimegawatt prototype that will incorporate a host of pioneering features,including multipiece rotor blades con- structed of advanced materials and optimized for low noise levels,advanced controls,diagnostic systems,an innovative drive-train,and taller towers with load reducing features. GE plans to start engineering the turbine in 2004. In addition to producing full-scale prototype turbines, researchers are working with industry partners to analyze every component,from the base of the tower to the tips of the turbine 9s blades,for opportunities to improve the technology and reduce costs.Although component improvements may be incremental,when combined,they can have a significant cumulative impact on the system 9s efficiency and cost of production. Advanced Tower Designs May Reduce Costs As wind turbines increase in size and rise to greater heights to take advantage of higher energy winds,their towers require more materials and comprise a larger per- centage of the project 9s cost (18% for today 9s machines and 20% 325% for the multimegawatt machines).Efficient construction methods can optimize material quantities and reduce costs. According to a WindPACT study published in 2001, traditional towers taller than 65 m (213 ft) present serious logistical problems during transport and installation.With traditional tapered steel tower designs,taller towers require larger base diameters,causing problems and additional expenses in transport.The taller tapered steel towers also require large,expensive cranes for construction. 6 NREL is working with GE Wind Energy to develop an advanved multimegawatt turbine with a host of pioneering features. Researchers are working with industry partners to analyze every wind turbine system component, from the base of the tower to th e tips of the blades, for opportunities to improve the technology and reduce costs. One way to reduce the cost of transporting and con- structing the larger towers is to construct all or part of a tower on site and to explore the possibilities of self erecting designs.Several studies currently underway are looking at innovative construction materials and self erection concepts that may allow 100-m towers without adverse cost impact. New Drivetrains Produce More and Weigh Less Several subcontracts awarded between 2000 and 2002 to Global Energy Concepts (GEC),Northern Power Systems (NPS),and Clipper Windpower pursued different approaches to reducing the costs of drivetrain components 4generators, gearboxes,shafts,and bearings 4for 1.5-MW turbines.Such components convert the slow-rotating mechanical energy of the rotor into electrical energy. In 2003,GEC finalized a new design for a single-stage permanent magnet (PM) drivetrain.The preliminary design analysis shows high efficiency at low wind speeds,and annual energy production estimates that are 3% higher than baseline.Production costs for the single-stage PM drivetrain are estimated to be 22% lower than for the baseline drive- train,and it shows potential for reducing overall turbine COE by 10%.GEC is completing a proto- type of the new drivetrain in 2004 and has conducted factory testing.The drivetrain will undergo design valida- tion testing at the NWTC. Northern Power Systems has designed a 1.5 MW direct-drive permanent magnet generator and has also designed and fabricated a novel,full power converter that will allow variable-speed operation.The direct drive configuration,which has broad commercial appeal,elimi- nates the gearbox leading to real improvements in relia- bility and reductions in cost of energy.In 2003,Northern began fabrication of the new drivetrain and will ship it to the NWTC in 2004 for testing and validation. Clipper Windpower completed its design for a 1.5MW drivetrain that is lighter weight and potentially more efficient than conventional drivetrains. In 2003,Clipper produced an eight- generator,distributed generation drive- train that is being tested at the NWTC. The drivetrain,which includes variable- speed power electronics,eight generators, and a gearbox,is more compact and has proven to be 30% lighter than convention- al drivetrains.It was designed to fit most 1.5-MW scale platforms and can be used as a retrofit for new turbines.Clipper hopes to make this concept available to other turbine manufacturers in 2004. 7 Preliminary analysis of GEC 9s new single-stage PM drivetrain shows high efficiency at low wind speeds, and annual energy production estimates that are 3% higher than baseline. Clipper Windpower 9s new drivetrain designed to fit most 1.5-MW scale platforms have proven to be 30% lighter than conventional drivetrains. The NPS direct drive configuration eliminates the gearbox, leading to real improvements in reliability and reductions in COE. Wind Turbine Blades Play Crucial Role in System Design and Cost Because the amount of energy a wind turbine gener- ates depends on the amount of energy captured by its blades,longer blades capture more energy.The produc- tion of larger cost-effective wind turbines for lower wind speed sites depends on industry 9s ability to produce longer,stronger blades.However,as blades become longer, they become heavier,more expensive,and they subject the turbine to greater loads,which stresses other compo- nents.Because blade and rotor manufacturing costs are typically around 25% of the total turbine cost,the wind industry is pursuing innovative approaches to blade design and manufacturing to minimize production costs. Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) are working with universities and manufacturers to develop longer,stiffer,more slender blades that incorporate advanced lighter weight materials and aeroelastic designs and use innovative manufacturing processes that reduce costs,improve quality and reliability,and broaden the U.S.blade manufacturing base.To achieve these objec- tives,SNL 9s research focuses on new ways to design and fabricate bladesthat incorporate advanced materials and aeroelastic designs. Promising advanced materials include carbon fiber and carbon/glass hybrid composites.Although carbon fibers are more expensive than traditional fiberglass materials, they are much stronger,weigh less,and can take more stress cycles than traditional materials.Using lighter car- bon will reduce the loads on the blades and other turbine components. In 2002,SNL began working with two teams of design- ers,one led by K.Wetzel,Inc.,working with Wichita State University,and the other teaming blade manufacturer TPI with the consulting firm GEC,to design and fabricate two 9-m (29.5 ft) carbon-hybrid blades.In 2003,the first team completed the designs for the blades:one with carbon/glass fiber hybrid materials on a conventional lay-up and the second with carbon and glass laid off axis to optimize bend-twist coupling effects.Preliminary analysis shows that the weight of the carbon-hybrid blade decreased 20% from the baseline and the weight of the twist-coupled blade decreased 10% 315%.The incorpora- tion of twist coupling should reduce fatigue loads by an additional 10% 320%. In addition to investigating new materials,researchers are analyzing blade structure and design to understand how loads affect the blades.To aid in the design and man- ufacturing of advanced blades that incorporate innova- tive materials,SNL developed a Numerical Manufacturing and Design (NuMAD) software tool that enables design- ers to model blades in significantly less time than conven- tional tools.A model that took 15 hours to create using traditional design software took less than an hour using NuMAD.The program can identify weak areas in the 8 Researchers are analyzing detailed designs to better understand how loads affect the wind turbine blades. In 2003, Sandia developed a procedure to derive a set of one-dimensional beam properties that will duplicate the behavior of a full three-dimensional finite element model of a wind turbine blade. In 2004, Sandia plans to pursue innovative blade shapes that incorporate blunt trailing edges to improve the structure, simplify the manufacturing, and reduce the weight without sacrificing the aerodynamic performance. design,predict failure modes,and let the designer know if the new design can handle certification loads. NuMAD can develop complex three-dimensional models that examine the internal stress distribution within the blade,but these models are too detailed for use in a system aeroelastic analysis that represents the blades as a series of one-dimensional beam elements.In 2003,SNL researchers developed a procedure to derive one-dimensional beam properties that will duplicate the behavior of a full three- dimensional finite element model of a wind turbine blade. The new procedure will enable blade designers to seamlessly go back and forth between detailed three-dimensional shell models,to check strength and durability,and one- dimensional models for checking system dynamics and control system design. In 2004,SNL plans to pursue innovative blade shapes that incorporate blunt trailing edges to improve the struc- ture,simplify manufacturing,and reduce weight without sacrificing aerodynamic performance.Researchers predict that although the new blade designs will weigh less and cost less to produce,they will be stronger and more efficient. Aerodynamics Research Improves Turbine Engineering Design To reduce the COE of low wind speed operation, researchers must find ways to maximize turbine power production while minimizing detrimental structural loads. Aerodynamics govern both objectives.To predict and control turbine aerodynamics,researchers at NREL and SNL are pursuing a balanced approach that exploits the synergy between computation and experiment.Full-scale field and wind tunnel experiments identify and measure the aerodynamics that determine turbine operation. These aerodynamics are then captured in accurate, reliable computational models for engineering design. To accelerate progress,modeling methodologies developed for aircraft and rotorcraft are being adapted for wind turbine aerodynamic prediction.Aeroacoustics 9 As wind turbine blades become longer and stronger, they become more difficult to test for endurance. The test methods developed for smaller blades are not as effective for larger blades. To accommodate the larger blades, researchers at NREL developed a new hydraulic resonance blade test system (below) that can be scaled up as the blades increase in length. The old method uses a hydraulic actuator to push the blade up and down for millions of cycles over a period as long as four months. The new systems uses a 317- to 453-kg (700- to 1000-lb) weight housed in a stand attached to the end of the blade. The amount of weight used depends on the size of the blade. The weight is precisely controlled to oscillate up and down, which excites the blade at its natural flap frequency. The new test uses one-third the energy that the conventional method uses, and the blade oscillates at more than twice the rate. Instead of taking as long as four months to apply 3 million cycles to fatigue test a blade, researcherss can now do it in less than two months. A test duration of three million cycles is typically used to represent the 20-year lifespan of a blade. The new system, which can test blades as long as 70 m (230 ft), is the only one of its kind in the world. In December 2003, NWTC researchers completed a fatigue test using the new system on a 37-m (121.4-ft) blade built by GE Wind. The completion of this first test validated the operation of the new system, and in 2004, they will begin running fatigue tests on 34- and 45-m (111.5- and 147.6-ft) blades. NREL 9s New Hydraulic Resonance Blade Test System Cuts Test Time in Half was recently identified as a high interest area,and research is under- way to predict and minimize turbine aeroacoustic signatures. Understanding Turbulent Wind Patterns on the Great Plains Another challenge facing low wind speed turbine developers is understanding the turbulence and fatigue environment at the height at which the larger turbines operate. Although researchers know that wind speeds increase with altitude, they suspected,but had not yet veri- fied,the existence of turbulent wind patterns at the greater heights.On the Great Plains,where there is an abundance of low wind speed resources,they know the increase in wind speed is related to the low- level jet streams that frequently form near the ground at night,but they did not know the characteris- tics of the turbulence under these jets and how it might affect a wind turbine 9s operations or lifespan. In 2001,NREL researchers began working with GE Wind to collect wind measurements from GE 9s 120-m (400-ft) tower in southeast Colorado.The tower was instrumented with fast-response sonic anemometers installed at several different heights.With no moving parts,these anemometers use very high-frequency sound waves to measure very small details in the wind.The tower was also instrumented with equipment to measure temperatures,humidity,and baro- metric pressure.After one year,researchers had collected 40,000 detailed data records. In 2002 and 2003,they used state-of-the-art Doppler SODAR (acoustic wind profiler) and LIDAR (laser wind speed measurement) remote sensing systems to map the vertical and horizontal extent of coherent turbulent wind patterns associated with low-level nocturnal jets above the tower measurements.By combining these measurements with data previously collected on the NWTC 9s Advanced Research Turbine,researchers have been able to verify the presence of organized turbulent eddies that form beneath the jet at heights where multimegawatt turbines will operate.When analyzed,the new data will help researchers develop simu- lations of turbulence that will be used as the wind input to turbine design codes.This will allow design simulation to include conditions at the heights where the larger wind turbines need to operate reliably.The research will lead to turbine designs that minimize damage and operate efficiently in these turbulent conditions. Distributed Generation Enhances National Energy Supply Although the use of small wind generators to supply direct current power for lights and appliances on farms and ranches was commonplace in the early 1930s and 1940s, windmills began to fade from the rural landscape with the advent of the rural electric system.Today,as traditional fuel prices escalate and power supplies fluctuate,rural landown- ers,small businesses,and homeowners are once again considering wind power to supply all or part of their elec- tricity needs.Small wind systems can help enhance local energy supplies and stimulate rural economies.The small wind industry estimates that 60% of the United States has 10 Field Verification Program Turbines Produce Green Power In an effort to encourage the deployment of small wind turbines, NREL issued a field verification subcontract to Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NWSeed). Under this subcontract, five 10-kW wind systems were installed; three in Montana and two in Washington. As part of the DOE/NREL regional field verification project, the systems were equipped for power monitoring and data collected is sent to NREL. All of the systems are grid- connected and excess power is sold to area utilities and marketed by Bonneville Environmental Foundation as green power. GE 9s 120-m (400-ft.) tower, in southeast Colorado, collected 40,000 detailed turbulence measurements to analyze. enough wind resources for small turbine use,and 24% of the population lives in rural areas where zoning and construction codes permit installations. To ensure that the small wind industry continues to enjoy the growth it has experienced over the last 10 years,researchers are working with industry members to improve designs,increase efficiencies,and improve costs and reliability.As part of its R&D focused on distributed wind systems in 2003,DOE awarded $1.5million in grants to 10 firms to enhance the cost-effectiveness of small wind turbines.The goal for distributed wind technology is to reduce the cost of electricity from distributed wind systems to $0.10 3$0.15/kWh in Class 3 wind resources,the same level that is currently achievable in Class 5 winds,by 2007. One project selected for award was for Northern Power Systems (NPS) of Waitsfield,Vermont,to develop a new 100-kW turbine.NPS developed a 100-kW machine for use in extreme cold weather regions 11 Bergey NPS Southwest Windpower Small Wind Research Turbine (SWRT) Many issues remain poorly understood when it comes to the specific behavior of small wind turbines, such as furling behavior, blade and tower loads, thrust loads, and the effect of overspeed protection on turbine performance. Although small wind turbine manufacturers have historically relied on variable geometry testing to design wind turbines, they are now relying more on models to simulate wind turbine performance. However, there is a lack of quality data that turbine designers can use for a comparison. NREL 9s SWRT study, started in 2003, will provide the wind industry with quality operating data on loads and performance to help members of the small wind industry gain a better understanding of small turbine behavior. The SWRT will be the first study to provide accurate thrust measurements for a small turbine. Accurate thrust measurements are crucial for developing models for furling. In addition to thrust and furling measurements, the SWRT turbine is outfitted with two three-dimensional sonic anemometers that measure wind speeds upwind and in the tail wake. The turbine is also tested for tower bending, yaw rate, shaft bending and torque, blade bending, rotor speed and other related parameters. Data produced from the SWRT project will enable small wind turbine manufacturers, as well as those involved with modeling and certification of small wind turbines, to better understand small wind turbine operation and how design parameters affect operation and loads. The data from the SWRT is being compared to the results of ADAMS and FAST models that have been modified to include small wind turbine furling behavior to see how well those models perform and what enhancements they need to properly model small wind turbines. under a subcontract to NREL in 2000 3 2001.This design will be modified for use in agricultural applications such as dairy and hog farming.NPS will begin work on the new system in 2004. NWTC researchers are continuing to support a small wind turbine project with Bergey Windpower Company of Norman,Oklahoma,and Southwest Windpower in Flagstaff, Arizona.Bergey has worked with the NWTC since 1997 to perfect a 50-kW wind turbine for distributed applications. The machine incorporates a new airfoil design,variable speed operation,and passive controls (tail and furling) rather than a mechanical brake.On the Bergey turbine,in high winds,the tail stays fixed into the wind and the rotor moves around the tail into a vertical furled or folded posi- tion.This reduces the rotor 9s exposure to the wind,which reduces the rotational speed and protects the turbine from damage.The new airfoil,designed for quieter operation,will fit three rotor diameters so the turbine can be adapted to different wind regimes.Bergey plans to have the turbine commercially available in 2004. The NWTC began working with Southwest Windpower in 2002 to develop an efficient and cost-effective 1.8-kW turbine for residential use.In 2003,Southwest completed its preliminary design for the Storm 1.8-kW turbine and began testing to validate its power rating.Initial test results indicate that the turbine meets its rated power objective. The company plans to design and build a prototype for testing in 2004. Grid Integration 3 Gaining Equitable Access to the Utility Grid Because wind energy is the fastest growing form of elec- tric generation,more utilities are seriously evaluating its addition to their generation portfolios.However,because wind is a variable resource,it raises concerns about how it can be integrated into routine grid connections,particularly with regard to the effects of wind on regulation,load follow- ing,scheduling,line voltage,and reserves.A lack of accep- tance in this area can inhibit market acceptance and hinder the increase of our nation 9s wind energy capacity. The goal of DOE 9s system integration activity is: cBy 2012, complete program activities addressing electric power mar- ket rules,interconnection impacts,operating strategies,and system planning needed for wind energy to compete with- out disadvantage to serve the Nation 9s energy needs. d To achieve this goal,program researchers are assisting regional electric system planning and operations personnel to make informed decisions about the integration of wind energy into their systems.By conducting integration research,researchers can provide utility personnel with unbiased information on the impacts wind energy. Integration research in being conducted in four areas;gird systems modeling and analysis,wind utility operations and ancillary service analysis,emerging wind applications,and distributed small systems integration. To help utilities understand the variance of wind power and gain a better understanding of operational issues, researchers monitor and analyze existing wind power plants.Their assessment will validate factors such as voltage stability,power regulation,and power system performance issues due to wind variability and will provide a history of the performance of operating wind power plants intercon- nected with large electrical grids.Based on this analysis, researchers can then develop models that simulate power plant operations under various wind and system conditions to investigate power quality,voltage stability,and reactive power support issues. Under the utility operations and ancillary service analysis, researchers are studying generation and transmission issues in relationship to wind power.As electricity needs continue to grow,utilities need to plan for and install new generation and transmission lines.To help utility planners better under- stand and improve the electrical transmission and genera- tion planning process for wind energy,researchers are providing technical information,analysis,and methods of development where needed.To ensure that wind receives equitable consideration in utility deliberations and rulemak- ing proceedings,Wind Program personnel are also working with independent system operators,regional transmission organizations,the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and state and local utility planners. Laying the Groundwork for New Markets: Wind Powering America Launched in 1999,the goal of Wind Powering America (WPA) is to increase the use of wind energy in the United States so that at least 30 states have 100 MW of wind capacity by 2010.Increasing the use of wind energy will diversify our nation 9s energy mix,bring new income to farmers and rural landowners,and generate new jobs. To achieve its goal,WPA uses a state-,utility-,and Native American-based strategies to identify and address barriers to wind development.A national team undertakes activities with industry partners that focus on state wind support, utility partnerships,tribal outreach,and innovative market mechanisms to support the use of large- and small-scale wind. State-Based Activities State-based activities include landowner and community meetings,state wind working groups,work- shops,anemometer loan programs,state wind resource maps,and state-specific small wind consumer guides. WPA 9s landowner and community meetings and work- shops educate audiences about the current state of wind technology,economics,state wind resources,economic development impacts,policy options/issues,and barriers to wind development.State audiences include policy makers, 12 state energy officials,landowners,utilities,community groups,and economic development interests.The key outcome of these meetings is the formation of a wind-work- ing group in each state with a set of priority activities to encourage wind development.To date,WPA has supported the formation of 19 state wind-working groups.To equip the groups with the necessary information and resource materi- als to develop and implement an effective outreach effort, WPA published and distributed the State Wind Working Group Handbook accompanied by a CD of topical PowerPoint presentations in 2003. In addition to the state wind working groups,WPA helps developers identify the areas with the best wind resources through cooperative mapping and wind measurement pro- grams.WPA supports a public/private sector mix of wind resource analysts and meteorological consultants to update state wind resource maps.Identifying the available wind resource in an area is the first step toward evaluation and installation of large and small wind systems.Although devel- opers have relied on the U.S.Wind Resource Atlas,published in 1987,to guide their efforts,modern mapping systems have produced more highly detailed state wind maps. The new maps have resolutions of 1 km (0.6 mi) and finer (in some cases 200 m [656 ft]),in contrast to the old maps that have a resolution of 25 km (15.5 mi).The new tech- nology also enables analysts to overlay the resource maps to show transmission grids;roads;county boundaries; federal,state,and Native American lands;and geographical features.In 2003,the team finalized new maps for New Mexico,Arizona,Nevada,Utah,and Colorado.The maps 13 Wind Powering America State Wind Summit II On May 22, 2003, the Wind Powering America Program sponsored the second State Wind Summit, following the American Wind Energy Association 9s Wind Power 2003 conference in Austin, Texas. Over 100 participants were on hand, including representatives from state energy, economic development, and environmental offices; energy regulators; universities; rural electric cooperative and public power utilities; and the wind energy industry. Summit sessions focused on relevant market and policy issues, wind working group success stories, barriers to state-level action, and Wind Powering America budget and planning issues. Wind Powering America State Activities are available on DOE 9s WPA Web site at www.eere.energy. gov/windpoweringamerica . WPA 9s anemometer loan program allows land and busi- ness owners to borrow anemometers to measure their wind resources for one year without charge.By the end of 2003, WPA had installed anemometers in 20 states.WPA encour- ages local universities to administer the programs for education purposes. WPA also has an active small wind systems initiative. As part of the initiative,WPA published 24 state-specific consumer guides that contain wind resource maps and information about small wind electric systems.These guides help consumers determine whether using wind energy systems to provide all or a part of their home or business electricity needs is economically feasible.The first guide, produced in 2001,was Small Wind Electric Systems:A U.S. Consumer 9s Guide .WPA team members then collaborated with state energy officials to customize the guide 9s cover for each state so it contains a state-specific wind resource map and information about state incentives and state contacts. In 2003,WPA produced guides for Virginia,Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,Delaware,Rhode Island,Maine,New Jersey, and New Hampshire,and also collaborated with the American Corn Growers Foundation to produce Small Wind Electric Systems:A Guide Produced for the American Corn Growers Foundation .WPA also sponsors small-wind-specific workshops and provides technical assistance. In another state activity,WPA teams up with DOE 9s Regional Offices and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promote the use of wind-based supplemental environmental projects (SEPs).When a company violates environmental regulations,it must pay a fine to the state or federal government.The EPA designed SEPs to offer emission violators an alternative to paying the standard fines.Instead of paying the full amount,a company can volunteer to fund environmentally friendly projects.The WPA team provides technical assistance in formulating wind options for interested states.In 2003,WPA published a fact sheet titled School Wind Energy Project Ideas for Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) Settlements . 14 WPA produces state-specific small wind consumer 9s guides that contain state-specific small wind resource maps, like this map fo r Colorado, inside the front cover. Colorado Wind Resource Map Utility Partnerships The key activities of the utility partner- ships theme are a public power outreach and recognition program,Power Marketing Administration green tags,and targeted strategic technical analyses. Regional transmission constraints,opera- tional policies,and a lack of understanding of the impacts of wind energy on utility grids are three barriers to the future development of wind energy.WPA works to overcome these barriers and meet its goals of increasing the nation 9s wind energy capacity by working with utilities and utility groups such as the American Public Power Association (APPA),the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA),Power Marketing Administrations (PMAs),the National Wind Coordinating Committee 9s (NWCC) Transmission Working Group,and the Utility Wind Interest Group (UWIG). During the past 3 years,WPA has worked closely with the utility sector,especially national consumer-owned and public power utilities,to present up-to-date information to their membership and customers nationwide.These cost- shared efforts include co-sponsorship of wind-specific meetings,conferences,and workshops,as well as joint devel- opment and distribution of materials containing technical and market specific information and wind project success stories.WPA also provides real-time technical assistance on everything from the state of wind technology and econom- ics,to information on barriers,benefits of wind,and how to get a wind project started.In 2003,WPA and NRECA held workshops in Colorado and South Dakota. To recognize the leadership and support of wind power by its partners,WPA developed a Wind-Municipal and Wind Utility Coop of the Year Award.The award is presented at each organization 9s largest national convention.In 2003, WPA and its team of experts named Glenn Cannon,general manager of Waverly Light and Power in Waverly,Iowa,as the first recipient of the Wind-Muni Pioneer Award.Waverly installed the first utility-scale wind turbine in Iowa in 1993. Since then,Iowa has installed approximately 350 wind turbines and is one of the leading states in wind energy development.The award recognized Glenn Cannon 9s lead- ership role in helping lead the way for wind energy devel- opment across the Midwest.Also in 2003,WPA named Basin Electric,located in Bismarck,North Dakota,as the Wind-Cooperative of the Year.Basin Electric was recog- nized for its leadership in expanding opportunities for wind energy,including its involvement with an 80-MW wind project,which remains the largest electric coopera- tive wind farm in the nation.Ron Rebenitsch,manager at Basin,accepted the award.Wind Powering America and its partners APPA and NRECA expect to continue these awards in 2004. Rural Economic Development The key activities of the rural economic theme include outreach to agricultural and rural development interests,economic development analysis tools,case study documentation,Native American wind interest groups,a Native American anemometer loan program, an irrigation pilot project,and an innovative ownership pilot. The WPA team works with the state wind working groups and their stakeholders to cultivate rural economic develop- ment with wind energy through outreach to state agricultur- al interests.Although the partnerships vary from state to state,they generally include the state energy offices,the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA),local and national representatives,state and local officials,the Farm Bureau, 15 Manager of Basin Electric, Ron Rebenitsch (center), accepts WPAs 2003 Wind Cooperative of the Year award.From left to right 4 Steve Lindenberg, NRECA/CRN;Jim Powell, DOE/ARO;Ron Rebenitsch, Basin Electric;Gary Williamson, Central Power Electric Coop;Ron Harper, Basin Electric. Although he didn 9t know it at the time, Larry Widdel 9s future in the world of wind energy development was secured years ago when his family bought some farmland near Minot, North Dakota. Widdel cleared piles of rocks off the acreage for the family 9s cattle. cIt was the poorest land we owned, d Widdel laughed. cMy uncle said, 8Boy, this is awful. We don 9t own mineral rights. We don 9t own anything but the air above it. 9 Who would have guessed that the air above our land might be worth money someday? d No one could have predicted that Widdel 9s rocky land, which has an outstanding wind resource and small hills that are perfect for siting wind turbines, would someday feature two 1.5-MW wind turbines. Widdel and his family have joined the ranks of rural landowners who lease their land and cultivate the cash crop of the future: electricity from the wind. Farmers 9Union,representatives of the appropriate growers associations,agricul- tural schools,the local financial community, county commissioners,and rural develop- ment advocates.WPA assists by providing outreach materials,such as wind articles on topics of current interest,case studies,and presentations that working groups and their partners can use to reach key audiences.It also provides specialized training and tools to help decision makers at all levels under- stand their wind resource,the costs and benefits of projects,policies,and how to develop successful wind projects. Case study documentation is another part of WPA 9s outreach effort.In 2003,the WPA team documented the economic development impacts from 20 studies of actual and potential wind projects. U.S. Farm Bill Funds Renewable Energy Systems On April 8,2003,the USDA announced the availability of $23 million in grants for fiscal year 2003 to help farmers,ranchers, and rural businesses purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill provides this funding for wind, solar,biomass,geothermal,hydrogen from renewables,and building and energy efficiency projects. Thirty-eight wind project applications were reviewed in 2003,and $7.39 million was award- ed to wind projects.This funding provides an excellent vehicle for wind-related rural eco- nomic development.As part of its outreach effort,WPA is sponsoring landowner and com- munity meetings and statewide workshops to communicate these opportunities for wind development to rural communities. Wind Energy Finance Tools Provide Economic Analysis of Wind Projects In 2003,the WPA team also improved the usability of its Wind Energy Finance tool,an online calculator for economic analysis of wind projects (http://analysis.nrel.gov/windfinance) with more than 1,000 registered users.Users enter data about a project,including size, capacity factor,capital costs,operating costs, financing details,and tax information.They can enter minimum values for rate of return and debt service coverage ratios,and the program will calculate the minimum energy payment needed to meet those goals.Alternatively,the 16 U.S. Corn Growers Support Wind Energy In April 2003,the American Corn Growers Foundation,which works in part- nership with WPA,commissioned a nationwide,random,and scientific survey of 500+ corn farmers in the 14 states that represent nearly 90% of the nation 9s corn production.The poll found that 93.3% of the nation 9s corn producers support wind energy;88.8% want farmers,industry,and public institutions to promote wind power as an alternative energy source;and 87.5% want utility companies to accept electricity from wind turbines in their power mix. Unlike most electricity generation technologies, wind energy developments are highly compatible with other land uses such as farming and ranching.Today's wind farms use a small percentage of the land to provide farmers, ranchers, and rural landowners with additional income. 17 user can enter a first-year energy payment and the program will calculate the rate of return,coverage ratios,etc.Plans include linking the Wind Energy Finance Tool to the data that underlie the wind maps. Another economic analysis tool,the Jobs and Economic Development Impacts (JEDI) model,is designed to demon- strate the economic benefits associated with developing wind power plants in the United States.The primary goal in developing this state-level model is to provide a tool for wind developers,renewable energy advocates,government officials,decision makers,and other potential users to easily identify the local economic impacts associated with con- structing and operating wind power plants.A strong emphasis was placed on designing the model in a user- friendly format that could be easily modified to accommo- date varying levels of project-specific information and user skill.No experience with spreadsheets or economic modeling is required.It provides on-line instructions for entering data and detailed information to help users under- stand the type of data required.An add-in-location feature allows the user to model county or regional impacts.The tool 9s output identifies the construction,operation,and maintenance costs and local spending on debt and equity payments,property taxes,and land lease payments.The output also provides an analysis of local jobs,earnings, and economic activity,including one-time impacts from construction and ongoing impacts from operations. Helping Native Americans Develop Wind Power The WPA team works with Native Americans on the mainland,in Alaska,and in Hawaii in their efforts to explore development of their wind power resources.The United States is home to more than 700 Native American groups and corporations that control 38.8 million hectares (96 mil- lion acres) in the United States.Many of these groups have excellent wind resources that could be commercially devel- oped to meet their local electricity needs or for electricity export.However,there are several key issues to overcome before these resources can be fully developed.The issues facing wind development on Native American lands include lack of wind resource data,community and local utility authorities and policies,developer risks real and perceived, limited loads,investment capital,technical expertise,and transmission to markets. To address these issues,WPA provides outreach materials and conducts workshops to provide information about the wind development process and options available to Native Americans.In 2003,WPA conducted several regional workshops for Native Americans and supported the development of an interactive Native American Wind Interest Working Group (NAWIG) to exchange experiences,concerns,and informa- tion on wind development. To help assess the wind resources on Native American lands,NREL and WAPA offer the Native American Anemometer Loan Program.The program allows Native Americans to borrow anemometers and the equipment needed for installation.Reducing the cost of quantifying their wind resources will encourage more Native Americans to install wind turbines.NREL researchers provide technical assistance for siting,installation,and data analysis.By the end of 2003,43 anemometers were installed and 23 anemometer projects completed. The loan of one such anemometer bore fruit on May 1,2003,when the Rosebud Sioux tribe held a dedication ceremony for the first Native American utility-scale wind turbine.Three weeks later,the Rosebud Sioux became the first tribe in the nation to receive a check for the sale of wind power from its 750-kW turbine.The tribe sells its excess energy to Basin Electric for local use and has a multi-year agreement for the sale of green power to Ellsworth Air Force Base.The sale of green power was made possi- ble through a cooperative effort with Basin, Nebraska Public Power,and WAPA.The tribe has also negotiated the first tribal sale of green tags, or renewable energy credits,to NativeEnergy of Vermont. During the last week of October,the NWTC hosted the annual Wind Energy Application and Training Symposium.Members of Native American tribes with anemometer loans, current or pending Tribal Energy Program grants,or reservations located in windy areas were among the invited participants. Creating a Sustainable Future The installation of the Rosebud turbine is the first of a three-phase Tribal Wind Power Demonstration Project Plan, a revitalization plan for intertribal wind development spon- sored by the Rosebud Sioux tribe and Intertribal Council on Utility Policy (ICOUP). Native American reservations on the northern Great Plains possess a tremendous wind resource,estimated to exceed 700 GW.To put that in perspective,the installed energy generation capacity of the entire United States from all sources of energy is about 600 GW.This incredible wind resource can help revitalize tribal communities and economies across the Northern Great Plains through the development of large,utility-scale renewable energy 18 In 2003, the WPA team published its first issue of NAWIG News, the quarterly newsletter of the Native American Wind Interest Group. 19 generation.Intertribal COUP 9s plan for the Great Plains tribes would bring at least 3,000 MW of power to market in the next decade. Phase 2 will include the installation of a 30- to 50-MW wind ranch on the Rosebud Reservation.The tribe has already received a DOE grant for planning and has completed feasibility studies for potential projects based on anemometer studies.Phase 2 also involves assisting every ICOUP tribe in the region interested in wind develop- ment with the data collection necessary to formulate a business plan. Phase 3 involves an 80-megawatt project distributed across eight reservations (10 megawatts apiece) in North and South Dakota.This distributed generation will allow the actual loads on each reservation to be met,and allow for parts of the project to supply wind to the grid most of the time. Later phases of the project include plans for expanding wind farms on tribal lands while helping the tribes realize sustainable economic development and employment. Æ In May 2003, the Rosebud Sioux tribe dedicated the first Native American utility-scale wind turbine on their reservation in South Dakota. While the wind industry has experienced constant annual growth during the past decade,to achieve industry 9s 100GW goal and enable the technology to reach its full potential,DOE researchers are exploring innovative applica- tions like offshore deepwater development,the use of wind energy to clean and move water,and developing new tech- nologies that will enable wind energy to work in synergy with other energy technologies such as hydropower and hydrogen. Offshore Wind Developments R&D Priorities and Exploring the Potential Resource Higher-quality wind resources (reduced turbulence and increased wind speed),proximity to loads (many demand centers are near the coast),increased transmission options, potential for reducing land use and aesthetic concerns, and ease of transportation and installation are a few of the compelling reasons researchers are turning their attention to offshore development.Although there are no current offshore wind installations in the United States,there are several proposed applications for offshore projects along the East Coast from New England to the Virginia. For offshore turbines in very shallow water (5 312 m [16.4 339.4 ft]),European turbine manufacturers have adopted conventional land-based turbine designs and placed them on concrete bases,steel mono-piles,or truss support structures and anchored them to the seabed.An offshore substation boosts the collection system voltage, and a buried undersea cable carries the power to shore, where another substation provides a further voltage increase for transmission to the loads. 20 Although the same approach can be used for wind tur- bines installed off the East Coast,the wind,wave,tide,and current design conditions are thought to be more severe in the United States and less well defined than for the Baltic and North Seas.In addition,the turbine structural dynamics and fatigue loadings of offshore machines are much more complex and difficult to analyze than for turbines on land. Thus,researchers will need to conduct supporting R&D to validate the turbine designs and reduce the risks.Offshore projects must be larger in terms of both turbine size and project scale to support the costs of the added turbine seabed support structures and cabling.These factors will tend to make financing offshore projects commensurately more difficult until offshore wind technology has proven its viability and profitability to investors. In 2003,DOE initiated a research effort to assess the potential for offshore wind development in the United States,including resource assessments and technical work- shops for a broad range of stakeholders.Meso-scale model- ing used to determine the onshore wind resource for many coastal states has provided preliminary estimates of wind resources out to 50 nautical miles (nm) offshore for recently mapped regions of the United States.These estimates indicate that the East Coast has 38 GW potential in water shallower than 30 m (98.4 ft) and 20 350 nm offshore that may be harvestable using,strengthened versions of today 9s land-based turbines adapted for marine environments.The more than 600 GW of estimated offshore wind resource in water 30 3100 m (98.4 3328 ft) and deeper would require new technologies that allow deepwater development,but would open vast areas out of sight of land for electric power gener- ation.NREL will lead an effort to develop a series of coastal maps that indicate offshore wind resources in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic,Great Lakes,and Gulf of Mexico. The U.S.Army Corp of Engineers currently serves as the lead agency for permitting offshore wind structures.Several applications have been received for permitting offshore wind projects and have increased interest and media attention on the offshore markets.In addition,regulators at the state and federal levels have requested guidance 21 New England Offshore Wind Resource Potential and information from DOE,as this is their first experience with permitting offshore wind energy systems.In response to this request,NWCC organized a dialogue on offshore wind energy in the United States in July 2003.This work- shop brought together a range of stakeholders,including government officials,environmental groups,and interested citizens.The participants discussed the potential for off- shore wind resources,the priorities for DOE,regulatory and jurisdictional issues,and the stakeholder process for the Cape Wind project.Visit the NWCC Web site for these presentations and a meeting summary at http://www. nationalwind.org/events/offshore/030701/default.htm In response to recommendations made at the meeting, the program organized a technical tutorial for regulators and other government officials involved with permitting proposed projects in New England.In September 2003,DOE and its Boston Regional Office held a workshop for 65 state and federal government representatives in Boston.The pre- sentations focused on wind energy technologies,including engineering principles,technology status,and operational characteristics,both on- and offshore.The U.S.Coast Guard, Federal Aviation Administration,and other federal partners discussed their rules,and the processes that apply to wind facilities.On the second day,the National Park Service held a briefing on alternative energy developments around the Boston Harbor Islands,and the participants visited Hull, Massachusetts,where the local municipal utility currently operates one 660-kW Vestas wind turbine and is considering plans to increase wind capacity in the future (see http://www.hullwind.org/). DOE believes that one research area with promise for the United States is offshore wind projects in waters deeper than 30 m (98.4 ft).Other nations with long coastlines,but without extensive areas of shallow seas within their conti- nental shelves,would benefit from technological develop- ments favoring deeper water offshore installations.Of the nations that show a significant potential for the use of off- shore energy,China and the United States have the highest potential,followed by Brazil and Japan. In October 2003,DOE and NREL held a workshop in Washington,D.C.,to discuss deep water technologies with about 50 U.S.and European experts in wind engineering, oil and gas structures,and marine measurements (see http://www.nrel.gov/wind_meetings/offshore_wind/). Participants identified significant engineering chal- lenges,including the downsizing of oil and gas platforms by two orders of magnitude while designing for turbine dynamic inputs.The findings included: " The oil and gas technology communities have strong analytic and computational resources that can serve as resources for the wind engineering community. 22 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Particular natural occurrences Low conflict potential Market chances and motivation Infrastructure conditions Demand and demand potential Feasibility Potential energy yield China USA Brazilia Japan Australia India Taiwan Argentinia Cananda Poland New Zealand Uruguay Venezuela Lithuania Latavia Mexico Tunesia South Africa Phillippines Point Score Reference: S. Siegfriedsen, M. Lehnhoff, & A. Prehn, aerodyn Engineering, GmbH Conference: Offshore Wind Energy in the Mediterranean and other European Seas, April 10-12, 2003, Naples, Italy Offshore Potential for Non-European Union Countries " There is a general consensus that economical,floating offshore applications are achievable. " The next steps include obtaining environmental data needed to characterize operating conditions;developing models to understand system dynamics;and determining whether the turbine and platform can be dynamically modeled separately. The Office of Wind and Hydropower Technologies con- tinues to evaluate the resources available and investigate offshore wind development opportunities.In 2003 32004 the Phase II low wind speed technology (LWST) solicitation was expanded to include offshore concepts,components,and full systems.Another research effort focuses on tracking pro- jects and studies in Europe,where offshore demonstration projects have been operating for the last decade.Findings from marine and avian studies that may address our domes- tic environmental research concerns,e.g.,methodological approaches,will be summarized and made available to a broad regulatory community involved with assessing envi- ronmental effects and permitting offshore wind facilities. NREL continues to serve on international committees such as the International Standards Organization,International Energy Agency (IEA),and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) (e.g., drafting design requirements for offshore wind turbines).These efforts will contribute to defining more specifically how DOE will continue to support and promote offshore wind energy. Wind and Water Working Together While fluctuating power levels and transmission constraints may hamper ready adoption of wind energy to utility grids,fluctuating regional water resources, growing obligations and market pressures on water uses (need for flood controls, environmental issues,and recreation) are just a few constraints faced by the hydropower industry.Researchers have long postulated that wind and hydropower can work together to mutual benefit,but no detailed analyses to examine regulation, load following,reserve,and unit commitment generator and grid operations have been conducted.Most experts agree that the value of wind and hydropower could be mutually enhanced by working together.For example,variations in power delivery levels caused by natural wind speed changes could be damped or eliminated.Hydro facilities might act as cbatteries dfor wind power by storing water during high wind periods,and increasing output when wind power goes down.Similarly,periods of low water resources or policy pressures on water use can be mitigated by using wind to generate power normally generated by the hydropower systems. In addition to exploring the opportunities for wind and hydropower to work together to produce a stable supply of electricity,researchers are examining ways wind can help resolve conflicts that surround fresh water uses.Other potential wind/water applications include the use of wind energy to clean water used for oil and gas exploration processes,provide power for municipal wastewater treat- ment,and provide power for irrigation systems. 23 Wind technologies workshop participants visited the turbine owned by Hull Municipal Lighting Pla

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