Community Wind Basics
If you work in the wind industry, you may have been asked the question, "My community wants to put up a turbine; what's my next step?"
A good first thing to understand is the difference between small wind and community wind. Small wind turbines are generators that produce electricity to help power individual homes and businesses. Community wind involves projects, nowadays often using large utility-scale wind generators, whose nameplate capacity is below 20 MW and is organized by, or benefits, a community.
Below are a few links with more resources and information about community wind.
AWEA Position Paper:
This 2010 position paper by the American Wind Energy Association discusses some basic definitions of community wind in the United States and presents the organization's policy recommendations for promoting this important sector.
Windustry
Windustry promotes progressive renewable energy solutions and empowers communities to develop and own wind energy as an environmentally sustainable asset. The website is a treasure trove of resources and information for community wind developers.
Windustry Community Wind Toolbox
The Community Wind Handbook offers high-quality practical information for farmers and rural landowners looking to develop commercial-scale wind projects.
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC)
The state’s development agency for renewable energy and innovation economy. MTC also administers the Renewable Energy Trust, which pioneers and promotes clean energy technologies and fostering the emergence of sustainable markets for electricity generated from renewable sources.
Micro Wind (Part of MTC, formerly Small Renewables Initiative)
The Commonwealth Wind Incentive Program – Micro Wind initiative provides rebates for the installation of micro wind projects that are up to 10 kilowatts and located at residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and public facilities.
The University of Massachusetts Renewable Energy Research Laboratory
The Renewable Energy Research Laboratory exists to promote education and research in renewable energy technologies. RERL focuses chiefly on wind energy in New England, including: offshore wind power issues, resource assessment, renewable energy software development, hybrid power systems, wind turbine dynamics and control, and wind farm siting and performance.
Green Communities Act
PDF summary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ ground-breaking legislation.
Smart Growth / Smart Energy Tool Kit
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA)’s toolkit provides information on smart-growth planning, zoning, subdivision, site design, and building construction techniques.
Massachusetts Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
Information about incentive programs associated with using and installing renewable energy systems.
Division of Energy Resources (DOER)
Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Center for Ecological Technology (CET)
CET’s work focuses on energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management and environmental education.
Conservation Services Group Inc.
Improving the way we use energy is one of the most critical challenges facing our country. For more than two decades, Conservation Services Group (CSG) has been helping key groups across the U.S. make smarter energy use part of the way they live and work. We design, develop, and deliver innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy programs that get results—lowering energy use and cutting costs while improving the comfort, health, and safety of buildings.
The Massachusetts Energy Consumers Alliance (Mass Energy)
A non-profit organization advocating and acting in the marketplace on behalf of consumers and the environment. Their discount heating oil program has operated since 1982 and now serves 17,000 households. Also offers renewable energy options such as New England GreenStart and the New England Wind Fund.
Community Wind Information Service
Second Wind offers a turnkey wind information service bringing leading-edge wind measurement technology to community wind projects, with flexible financing terms and a practical methodology that make wind resource assessment affordable and practical for community wind stakeholders.