Wind
Wind turbines convert the energy created by the rotation of turbine blades into electricity by means of an electrical generator. Wind energy relies on transmission lines to bring the electricity to the users.
Wind energy in the U.S. is growing rapidly. In 2007, the total installed wind capacity in the U.S. grew by 45%: 5,244 MW were installed for a total of 16,818 MW in 34 states. This is over double what was installed in 2006 (2,454 MW); in fact, the installations in the last quarter of 2007 (2,930 MW) surpassed the amount installed in all of 2006!
Image courtesy of the American Wind Energy Association
Wind Turbines
There are a few different types of wind turbine options:
Large-scale wind turbines can produce megawatts of energy
Small-scale are defined as having capacities of 100kW or less
Architectural turbines are smaller and usually mounted on building roofs
Different types of small turbines, which are appropriate for an urban campus like Harvard's, include:
- Abundant Renewable Energy
- Aerotecture
- AeroViroment
- Bergey
- Cleanfield
- Eoltec
- Pacwind
- Proven
- Skystream
- Swift
- Turby
- Windsave
Fact Sheet
Interested in installing architectural wind at Harvard? Our fact sheet goes through the basics of what you need to know. A spreadsheet of different small turbines lists manufacturers, websites, power ratings, and prices
University Wind Turbines
Many universities have on-campus wind turbines with capacities ranging from less than one kilowatt to hundreds of megawatts.
Check the Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for the most up-to-date list.
Wind Energy at Harvard
There are currently no wind turbines at Harvard. The wind at Harvard blows from the south/southwest- so architectural turbines should be placed on the southwest edge of a building, and buildings with long axes facing this direction are ideal. See the map below (data from Truewind).
Financing Options for Harvard
1. Power Purchasing Agreement (Third Party Financing)
Agreement with a third party who funds the project and sells the electricity back to the host. The third party assumes all risks, maintenance, and costs associated with the project. Third party can take advantage of tax benefits that universities cannot. Power purchasing agreements (PPAs) are beneficial for projects with a long payback. If a PPA sells the RECs, the school would not be able to claim the emissions reductions for their greenhouse gas inventory.
Tax benefits that PPAs can take advantage of include:
Federal Production Tax Credit: 1.5 cents/kWh credit (valued at 1.9 cents due to inflation) for the first 10 years of a renewable energy facilities operation. Expires 12/31/08.
2. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
RECs (also known as green tags) are the property rights to the environmental benefits associated with generating electricity from renewable energy sources. If the RECs are sold, the emissions reductions cannot be counted towards the generator’s greenhouse gas inventory.
3. MTC Large Onsite Renewables Initiative
MTC requires a minimum production of 10kw of energy and at least 25% used must be used onsite. Feasibility Grants are capped at $40,000 with an applicant cost share of 15%.
Non Photovoltaic Design & Construction Grants are capped at the lesser of $400,000 or 75% of actual costs
4. MTC Small Renewables Initiative Rebate
MTC requires a minimum production of 10kw of energy and will not fund building mounted wind turbines.
The rebate for wind is $2.25 per watt (AC).
5. Net Metering
In Massachusetts, systems that are 60 kW or less can sell excess electricity back to the grid and receive a credit from the electric company.
LEED
Buildings can obtain LEED points for using renewable energy on-site. More information is available on our Renewable Energy and LEED page.
More Information
American Wind Energy Association
MTC Wind Energy for Communities Powerpoint
Small Wind Electric Systems: A Consumer's Guide
MTC Boston Area Wind Resources Map
Average Wind Speeds and Directions for Cambridge Area