Wind Turbine Site Survey

Preliminary Assessment of Municipally-Owned Sites for Wind Power

Summary
The Municipal Wind Turbine Site Survey provides qualified municipalities with a preliminary assessment of the potential for wind generation on a number of municipally owned sites. The goal of the Municipal Wind Turbine Site Survey is to help municipalities identify sites that might be appropriate for a wind project, to assess the advantages, disadvantages, and potential fatal flaws of each site, and to provide recommendations as to which sites could be worthy of further analysis.

The Municipal Wind Turbine Site Survey assesses the potential for small wind projects designed primarily to serve on-site load, as well as larger multi-turbine projects intended to export power. While higher wind speeds (typically in excess of 14.5 mph at a height of 70 meters) lead to better project economics, a site with a lower wind speed may be acceptable if there is a large on-site electric load (e.g., a wastewater treatment plant).

The Municipal Wind Turbine Site Survey is a prerequisite for application for the Community Wind Collaborative Feasibility Analysis. Although it is not a requirement for MTC’s Large Onsite Renewables Initiative, it may be helpful in the grant application evaluation process.

The Municipal Wind Site Survey
MTC offers the Municipal Wind Turbine Site Survey free of charge to qualified communities. The survey, which is conducted by technical experts retained by the MTC, includes:

  • A desk-top analysis to determine whether the municipality owns sites of sufficient size and windiness to warrant a detailed site survey.
  • A site visit led by a technical wind consultant. Site visits typically last up to 3 hours, depending on the location and proximity of the sites. The technical consultant may suggest visiting sites other than those identified on the application.
  • A Municipal Wind Survey report, issued within 45 days after the site visit. The municipality and MTC staff will review the Municipal Wind Survey to help the municipality determine what site and size of wind project it wishes to pursue.

NOTE:  A site visit will not be performed if the desktop analysis finds no municipally-owned sites that warrant a detailed site survey.

Eligible Applicants/Projects

  • Open to Massachusetts Municipalities whose residents pay into the Renewable Energy Trust.
  • The site survey is intended for municipal property only (no private or state lands).
  • Sites to be surveyed should have an estimated wind speed of 14.5 mph (6.5 m/s) or greater at a 70 meter height based on True Wind measurements. For wind speeds lower than 14.5 mph, presence of a large onsite energy load is preferable.       
  • The municipality must appoint a primary contact to coordinate and accompany wind technical consultant on the site visit.

To Apply

  • Identify a municipal employee who can serve as the primary contact for the site survey.
  • Complete and submit the application form found here.
  • Include all required attachments, and obtain the required municipal approvals and signatures.
  • MTC staff may call the primary contact to clarify the application or seek additional information. If a site visit is warranted, the designated technical consultant will contact the municipality to make arrangements for the site visit.
  • MTC will make Site Survey services available to eligible applicants on a first come, first serve basis, subject to the receipt by MTC of a complete and conforming application, technical consultant and staff availability, and within the funding levels approved the MTC Board of Directors.

NOTE:  The Site Survey is intended, in part, to help municipalities determine whether it is reasonable to pursue a wind project on municipally-owned property. The provision of a survey should not be construed as an implied or express commitment by MTC to provide subsequent funding, services or other support for wind development under any MTC program.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Chris Clark
508-870-0312 x 642
clark@masstech.org