CHOOSING A SITE

Click here to view large image Scroby Sands Wind Farm, UK (Photo: Wikipedia)

Finding the optimal spot to place a wind farm is just as important as choosing an efficient and durable wind turbine. The choosing of sites is complex as many factors influence the outcome of a wind farm project. Siting is not just about placing the wind turbines where the wind blows the most. Siting is about the total

cost of harvesting the wind, including wear and tear on the turbines, and achieving the highest possible return on investment for the wind power plant (quote:Vestas).
The physical prerequisites The most important parameter for choosing a site stems from the fact that wind energy is a function of wind speed to the third power. This means that even small variations of AM ! "Annual Mean ind !peed# from one location to another will influence the harvested energy and thus the profitability of the wind farm. Thorough wind speed analysis at the potential placements is necessary to assess the expected energy yield. Also there has to be a $ower $urchase Agreement "$$A# with the T!% "Transmission !ystem %perator# to sell the electricity produced and a reasonable knowledge about the expected price

paid per k h &'(&) years ahead. A wind farm project is not feasible when either the wind resource or the energy price is insufficient to give a return on the investment. The local sea depth* weather* tide and typical waves plus the local characteristics of the sea floor are also important elements for the choice of site. These factors influence the choice of substructures below sea level to carry the wind turbine tower. Those structures represent a large part of the wind farm installation costs and will thus influence the total Co+ "Cost of +nergy# for the project lifetime. Another large share of the installation costs* connected to the choice of location* is the electrical connection to the grid. A long distance to a suitable grid connection on land will increase installation costs considerably and should be avoided if possible. !uitable grid structures are often found in populated areas. ,owever* wind farms are often not welcome in the proximity of populated areas. Human factors Considerable factors associated with human presence affects project planning. Any possible influence on maritime traffic such as a risk of collision must be evaluated and dealt with. Furthermore* if a planned wind farm is close to an airfield there is a risk that rotating wind turbine blades can disturb ground radar reception* which is important for aviation safety. +stablishing wind farms close to recreational areas or environmentally sensitive areas can also be politically difficult. -ue to the curvature of the earth* a &.)(meter high offshore wind farm is invisible at a distance of /) km for at grown person standing on the shore. 0oise is not a problem at distances beyond 1 km. Another important element in choosing sites is the presence of a suitable harbor nearby. 2egular maintenance will be necessary once the wind farm is in operation. 3engthened transportation of service crew and spare parts via boat* barge or helicopter will affect the cost of maintenance during the project lifetime. Thus a distant harbor will affect the total Cost of +nergy.