Wind Power Project Plan - School Sites

 

1 Team and Consultant Source Selection

 

          1.1     Confirm technical expertise required by the team

          1.2     Issue Consultant RFP

          1.3     Source select consultants with defined responsibilities for each consultant

          1.4     Inform selected consultants

          1.5     Execute contract(s)  

 

2 Collect, Review and Analyze Electrical Supply and Demand Data

 

          2.1 Collect Electrical Data

                    2.2.1   Relate changes in operations that may change electric consumption. (e.g., equipment additions, building additions, multiple shifts)

                    2.2.2   Analyze current energy use and on-site energy production opportunities: 

                    2.2.3   Collect data on monthly consumption.  

                    2.2.4   Research likely future energy procurement method and terms (e.g., competitive supplier long-term contract, standard offer).  This will provide estimates to future value of displaced energy.

                    2.2.4   Analyze energy consumption data at monthly level of detail including kWh consumption, and peak kW draw. 

          2.2 Populate data repository with electrical supply and demand data tables, graphs and graphics

         

3  Site Physical Evaluation & Potential Wind Turbine Locations

 

          3.1 Collect site plans: building, electrical, plot, septic, confirm ownership structure

          3.2 Detailed site inspection

                    3.1.1   Examine energy systems, both in-house, and utility owned. Document description of current energy infrastructure will include    electrical transformers, electric panels, wiring configuration.

                    3.1.2   Identify sensitive environmental areas

                    3.1.3   Scope preliminary location(s) for a wind turbine, exact locations will be detailed via GPS.  

                    3.1.4   Identify proximity to neighboring properties;

                    3.1.5   Consider project lay down area requirements and

                              construction logistics

          3.2 Photo simulations

                    3.2.1   Review photo simulations already developed

                    3.2.2   Determine additional photo simulations required

                    3.2.3   Conduct additional photo simulations as required

                    3.3.2   Select photosimulations for Public Information Plan
          3.3 List and resolve of potential site issues

                    3.3.1 FAA Requirements

                    3.3.1 Zoning requirements (noise, proximity to abutters, proximity to schools buildings and student use areas outside)

 

4 Create Base Concept Cases (e.g., scenarios) for Different Technologies.

 

          10.1 Chose Site and Turbine Equipment Size

          10.2 Develop scenarios for wind turbine installation

          10.3 Select most promising site (middle school or high school)

          10.4 Review and choose best wind turbine. Given the energy consumption and wind resources we will choose wind turbine systems (likely between 600 kW and 750 kW for two school scenario or 1.5 MW for single school option). 

                    10.4.1Various manufacturer tower heights will be analyzed.            10.5 Determine projected lead times required for turbine order

 

5 Bond Referendum

 

          5.1 Referendum Authority

                    5.1.1   Draft Legislation

                    5.1.2   TC Approval

                    5.1.3  Introduced as Bill

                    5.1.4   Bill Passed

          4.2 Conduct Referendum

                    4.2.1   TC Approval and Set Date

                    4.2.3   Conduct Ballot

                             

6 Site Ownership, Environmental Impacts and Regulatory Analysis

 

          6.1 Research and analyze required permits, licenses and approvals. Special emphasis will be placed on FAA approval given proximity of middle school to Newport Airport.

          6.2 Verify site ownership and verify plots

          6.3 Identify abutting properties and ownership. Determine if properties interfere with proposed site installation. 

                    6.3.1 Incorporate abutter issues into Community Issues Analysis

          6.4 Identify and analyze migratory birds and wildlife impact

                    6.4.1 Provide notice to USFWS and RI Natural Heritage programs regarding potential threatened and endangered species and/or critical habitat

          6.5 Identify and analyze Human Health and Safety Issues

          6.6 Analyze required environmental approvals and permits, processes and procedures and timeframes

          6.7 Develop a Plan of Action with milestones to obtain all siting, environmental approvals and regulatory permits

 

7 Physical/Electrical Technical Feasibility Analysis

 

          7.2 Geotechnical/Physical.

                    7.2.1 Identify and incorporate any available studies performed on the proposed school sites. 

                    7.2.2. Identify and resolve geotechnical issues

          7.3 Electrical.

                    7.3.1 Analyze the electrical interconnection requirements of the supplying electric utility and specify the characteristics of the required wire runs, protective relays, transformers, and metering.  Provide a one-line diagram for the most promising location. 

          7.4 Construction Staging / Erection. Appropriate staging areas will be assessed.  Erection needs, including crane capacities will be determined.

 

8. Wind Resource Assessment (Contractor)

         

          8.1 Contractor Perform Wind Resource Assessment.

          8.2 Contractor Provide Wind Resource Model 

 

9. Economic Feasibility Analysis (Contractor Assisted)

 

          9.1 Determine expected sources of funding and ownership

          9.2 Research and estimate likely revenue from REC sales

          9.3 (Contractor) Research and collect for major scenarios major costs.  Estimated costs will be collected in parallel to the technical analysis.  Major costs (e.g., turbine, tower, transformer, construction, operations and maintenance) will be estimated for each wind turbine system.  Differences in costs for a specific site also will be considered. 

          8.4 (Contractor) Incorporate project costs, financing costs, energy production, avoided utility costs, excess production wholesale sales, and  ownership structure into pro forma cash flow analysis.

          8.5 (Contractor) Develop an economic model that can be used for sensitivity analysis. 

          8.6 Run scenarios and sensitivity analysis using the contractor-provided economic model and contractor-provided wind resource data.

 

10 Community Perception and Education Plan

         

          10.1 Design public opinion surveys.

          10.2 Conduct Public Opinion Forums

                    - Positive perceptions to build upon.

                    - Negative perceptions to correct. 

          10.3 Develop a pubic relations and education plan for use prior to the referendum ballot.

 

 

11 Develop and Publish a Feasibility Study Report

 

          11.1 Prepare draft report of summary and recommendations

          11.2 Brief and obtain advisory opinions from the Town Planning and Zoning Board

          11.3 Present Study Report to Town Council

 

12 Obtain Town Council and School Committee Approval to Proceed with Plan

          12.1 Draft approval resolution

          12.2 Present resolution to TC

          12.3 Present resolution to SC

 

13 Initiate Wind Power Project Implementation

 

          13.1 Initiate Regulatory Approvals

          13.2  Initiate Project Funding

          13.3 RFP for Wind Turbine

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