Wind Turbine Repowering – Do you have your permits?
Repowering, Wind Turbines, Permits Repowering Project
Written by Matt Wessale, PE, Vice President, Wind
As renewable energy continues to gain momentum as a significant part of our energy landscape, it’s important to look at all opportunities to deploy the most effective and efficient new technologies. Repowering can be a great option for projects that are nearing the end of the initial lifecycle or could benefit from the latest wind turbine technology. It can be an attractive option for wind project owners as they seek to capitalize on production tax credits and optimize energy production from existing assets.
Wind turbine repowering involves replacing turbine components such as blades, hubs, gear boxes, and other electrical components with updated technology. With improvements in equipment technology over the years, modern machines that are more efficient and reliable to operate have been created. Refer to our blog, Revitalizing the Future of Energy: The Benefits of Repowering Turbines, for more information on the benefits of repowering turbines.
When planning a repower project, there are careful considerations that must be made to ensure success. One of the most important and possibly overlooked steps is acquiring the appropriate permits. From environmental challenges to the transportation of equipment and materials, there are permits you must consider before you begin a repower project.
Permit Considerations for Repower Projects
Noise and Shadow Studies
While new turbine technologies are often quieter, the longer blades tend to change assumptions regarding how blade shadows are cast on the landscape, particularly concerning occupied homes and buildings. Noise and shadow studies should be repeated using the proposed component characteristics to ensure the repowered turbines are within acceptable shadow hours and noise levels as determined by local or state requirements. Increased blade lengths may also affect previously issued FAA permits and assumptions surrounding telecommunications avoidance.
Environmental Permitting
Often overlooked when transporting and installing new equipment is the evaluation of various aspects of environmental permitting. For instance, crossing jurisdictional watercourses will likely require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and installation of temporary culverts in floodplains may require a permit from local authorities. Other considerations include the potential for disturbing sensitive plant communities, wetlands, threatened and/or endangered species, and cultural resources.
Road Use Agreements
Finally, local authorities will likely require the execution of a Road Use Agreement (RUA) to cover potential damages and repairs to roads. RUAs generally require evaluation of delivery routes, pre-construction road condition surveys, and financial sureties. Local roadway access permits will also likely be required.
Construction Permits
Dismantling old components and installing new equipment requires large construction cranes. While impacts from these cranes are usually temporary, consideration should be given to permits or approvals that might be required. These issues should be thoroughly vetted within the proposed crane path corridors before construction. Additionally, adding longer blades to existing turbine towers increases the overall height and rotor diameters, which can change original permitting assumptions for several parameters. For instance, many counties and some states have required turbine setback distances to public roads, occupied residences, and non-participating properties written into zoning codes. These must be carefully evaluated using the new blade lengths to ensure compliance or to identify areas that are not in compliance and might require waivers or no-objection letters from landowners.
Other Considerations
Permitting is just one of many challenges your project will face with wind turbine repowering. An updated ALTA survey may be required to reflect changes in land ownership or setback requirements for larger turbines. New access routes and collection systems may be required to handle larger turbines. Refer to our blog, The Power of Scale: Solutions for Next-Gen Wind Turbines, to learn more about the unique delivery challenges for the next generation of turbines.
Our multi-disciplined approach uniquely positions our team to address the myriad of challenges owners face while considering repowering their wind projects. Our experienced professionals can evaluate your repower project and facilitate acquiring the required permits and approvals to keep your project moving forward.
Contact our team and let us help you get started on your repowering project.
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About the Author
Matt Wessale is a professional engineer with thirteen years of engineering and construction management experience in the renewable energy industry. In his current Vice President role, Matt partners with clients to implement industry-leading solutions on their renewable energy projects. Matt holds gigawatts of renewables experience as he provides leadership to the growing markets. Matt also provides leadership for innovation and deployment of Westwood’s GIS-based services.
