Community wind energy
The key feature is that local community members have a significant, direct financial stake in the project beyond land lease payments and tax revenue.
The initiative has emerged because the community felt that the state and federal governments were not doing enough to address climate change.
An offshore wind farm comprising 10 turbines (making a total of 21 altogether including land-based windmills), was completed, funded by the islanders.
North Frisia is seen to be a model location for community wind, leading the way for other regions, especially in southern Germany.
[12] Starting in 2006, a village panchayat (local self-governing body) in Tamil Nadu state has become completely self-sufficient in energy by using renewable sources like wind, solar and biogas.
It has 65 solar streetlights in two hamlets and a nine-KW (kilowatt) biomass gasifier to pump drinking water from the river to the overhead tanks.
Sixty-three farmers in "De Zuidlob",[13] the southern part of the municipality of Zeewolde, have entered into a cooperative agreement that aims to develop a wind farm of at least 108 MW.
Baywind was modeled on the similar wind turbine cooperatives and other renewable energy co-operatives that are common in Scandinavia,[20] and was founded as an industrial and provident society in 1996.
A proportion of the profits is invested in local community environmental initiatives through the Baywind Energy Conservation Trust.
The Heritage Trust set up Gigha Renewable Energy to buy and operate three Vestas V27 wind turbines, known locally as The Dancing Ladies or Creideas, Dòchas is Carthannas (Gaelic for Faith, Hope and Charity).
In 2009, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory published a report that identified three different types of community wind projects in the United States.
This model allows local investors to partner with a corporation in order to take advantage of Production Tax Credit[35] federal incentives.
In a community-based model, the developer/manager of a wind farm shares ownership of the project with area landowners and other community members.
[36] Property owners whose land was used for the wind farm are generally given a choice between a monthly cash lease and ownership units in the development.
Some places have enacted policies to encourage development of municipally owned and operated wind turbines on town land.
The Midwest and the Great Plains regions in the United States are ideal areas for community wind energy projects; they are also often prone to drought.
[citation needed] Typically, the ideal form of a community wind energy project is created by and for local people.
Developing community wind energy faces barriers such as uncoordinated organizational structures, local authority decisions, and intricate planning requirements.
Intermediaries like NGOs or private professionals help bridge relationships between local communities and big companies.
The positive reception is attributed to various factors, including the economic benefits community members enjoy.
[42] The flexibility of applications for community wind projects may play a role in garnering higher levels of support from residents.
This can be advantageous in regions where high electricity costs result from fuel imports, as community wind projects can help stabilize or even reduce energy expenses.
Ownership of community wind projects can extend to rural electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, or groups of local individuals forming limited liability corporations.
This ownership model allows local communities to participate actively and benefit from wind power initiatives.
Prevention and mitigation of wildlife fatalities, and protection of peat bogs,[50] affect the siting and operation of wind turbines.
The investment tax credit is also an option for wind projects that are in service before 2013 if the final construction is complete before the end of 2010.
The ITC, written into law through the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, is available for equipment installed from October 3, 2008 through December 31, 2016.
[53] A pressing issue of concern is the lack of a modern interstate transmission grid which delivers carbon free electricity to customers.
Currently the US Senate Committee on Environmental and Public Works has control over the legislation and will begin to complete a markup by September 25, 2009.
Overall federal funding for community wind research and development is insufficient and even more so when compared to other fuels and energy sources.
