Wind Energy

Systems
9-15-2010 Joint PC & ZBA
PUBLIC HEARING #2

Village of Gurnee
Planning Staff
 How did we get here?
 Wind Energy Task Force
participation
 Village Workshop meetings:
• 1-20-2010 (PC)
• 1-27-2010 (ZBA)
• 3-17-2010 (PC & ZBA)
• 6-2-2010 (PC & ZBA)
 Public Hearing #1 – 8-4-2010
 Public Hearing #2 - Tonight

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What have we been examining?

WIND ENERGY
SYSTEM (WES)

Small Wind Energy Large Wind Energy

System System
(NOT PERMITTED)

Tower Building
Mounted Mounted

3
 Building Mounted
Wind Energy Systems (BWES)

 Wind Energy
Systems that are
structurally
attached onto the
roof or to the side
of a building.

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 Building Mounted
Wind Energy Systems (BWES)

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 Tower Mounted Wind
Energy System (TWES)
 A freestanding Wind
Energy System that
is mounted to the
ground and
structurally attached
to a monopole tower.
 Ideally suited for
individual homes,
small businesses,
farms, and similar
small-scale
establishments.
Devon Bank, Wheeling
[Windspire turbines (Apx. 30’ tall), 1.2 6
kW capacity (each)]
Wheeling, IL Tower Mounted Wind
Energy System (TWES)

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 Tower Mounted Wind
Energy System (TWES)

Aldrich Electric Turbine [Apx. 150

feet tall, 50 kW capacity]

School Turbine 8
 Mounting type: Horizontal Axis
 Most conventional model
of tower & more efficient
than Vertical.

Example: Chipotle Turbine

(58 feet tall; maximum
capacity of 6 kW)
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 Mounting type: Vertical Axis
 More ideally suited for urban and
suburban settings.
 Rotor shaft is arranged vertically and
can take advantage of any wind
direction.

Quinnipiac University Skystream 3.7 by

Mariah Power VAWT, (apx. Southwest Windpower
30 feet tall, 1.2 kW
10
capacity).
 Discussion of
Regulations…continued
 Total Number of BWES on Multi-family
property = 1 or more via Special Use.
• Note spreadsheet issue: Single-family & 2
family residential allows 1 by right
 Type of Tower for TWES = Only allowed to
be installed on a monopole.
 Definition of plane revised = front area and
corner side area.
 Removed permit submittal requirements.

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 Summary of Regulations

 Refer to spreadsheet and/or ordinance

for Small Wind Energy Systems
revised regulations.
 Building Mounted (BWES)
 Tower Mounted (TWES)

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Building Mounted (BWES) Reg’s

 Total # permitted for SF, two-family,

Multi-family & Non-residential
 Maximum height [no change]
 Principal vs. Accessory structures
 Setbacks/ “area” encroachment [no
change]

 Sound maximums (day & night) [no

change]
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 Tower Mounted (TWES) Reg’s

 Type of tower permitted

 Maximum Height [no change]
 Permitted yard locations / “area” [Res.
vs. Non-res.] [no change]
 Maximum Number [no change]
 Setbacks [no change]
 Sound maximums [no change]

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 Large Wind Energy System

 Not allowed in Village boundaries

as a permitted or a special use.
 Additionally, no LWES may be
constructed on unincorporated
property within ½ miles of Village
boundary [as allowed by State
statutes].

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 Possible Next Steps…

 Option 1: Make a recommendation to the

Village Board on the ordinance presented.
 Option 2: Continue the Public Hearing to a
date certain in the future to address any
additional concerns.
 Option 3: As the commissions may see fit.

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Questions???

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 Reference Slides Follow
(not part of presentation unless
requested)

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 Exhibit 2: Front & Corner Side “Plane”
On Residentially zoned
or used property
No WES Permitted Here
Street

Street
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 Front & Corner Side Yard - TWES

On Non-Residentially
zoned or used property

t ba ck
Co

rd Se
a
Ya

t Y
Fron
rn et
r
er ba
d
S
Si ck
St

t
de

e
re

S tr e
et

No WES Permitted Here

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Source: Google SketchUp – for reference purposes only
 Tower Mounted (TWES) Reg’s
 Maximum Height
on Residential on Non-Residential

On Property < 2 acre P - <=45 feet P - <=75 feet

(87,120 s.f) SU - >45 feet SU - >75 feet

P - <=75 feet P - <=100 feet

On Property 2 - 5 acres
SU - >75 feet SU - >100 feet

Maximum Height on
property 100 feet 125 feet
< 5 acres

P - <=100 feet P - <=125 feet

On Property >= 5 acres
SU - >100 feet SU - >125 feet

Maximum Height on
175 feet 175 feet
property >= 5 acres
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 TWES Reg’s - Height
Top of TWES (Z)
X + Y = Total Height (Z)

Blade Height (Y)

Top of Tower

Tower Height (X)

Bottom of TWES 22
Case Study #1

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Case Study #2

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Case Study #3

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Res. Vs Non-Res. Lot Sizes

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Res. Vs Non-Res. Lot Sizes

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Res. Vs Non-Res. Lot Sizes

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COMMONLY DISCUSSED CONCERNS

 Abandonment/  Potential for Structural

Decommissioning or Electrical Failure
 Aesthetics  Property Values of
Surrounding Neighbors
 Birds and Bats
 Shadow Flicker
 Connecting to the
 Sound, Frequency, and
Utility Grid
Vibration
 Electrical Signal  Stray Voltage
Interference
 Sun Glint
 Icing  Turbine’s Lifespan
 Lightning Strikes

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 Technical Aspects of
Wind Energy Systems
 The Importance of Height.
 Wind Maps
 How Do I Choose the Best Site for My
Wind Turbine?
 What size Wind Energy System do I
need?

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 The Importance of Height
 The higher the
turbine is, the more
powerful the wind
becomes = more
energy.
 Wind speed has an
exponent of 3
applied to it, which
means that even a
small increase in
wind speed results
in a large increase
in power.
 There is NO direct
correlation between
generator size (kW
produced) and the
tower height. 31
Wind Power Map (U.S)

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Wind Power Map (Lake County)

Wind is available
for turbines: A
majority of Lake
County enjoys
average wind
speeds of 12 to
14.5 miles per
hour at 50 meters
(~164 feet) in
height. [Class 2]

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How Do I Choose the Best Site?

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