Resource Assessment & Site Evaluation

The first part of any wind project involves an assessment of the overall resource. The size of the project and anticipated investment helps dictate the expense and scope of the wind resource assessment itself. We have extensive experience with assessing wind resources and even creating models to predict wind turbine output in advance. We have installed numerous anemometers to measure wind speed and direction. If you need to determine if wind power is right for you, let Renaissance help you by thoroughly assessing the wind resource and recommending the appropriate actions.

For a small single turbine net metering type of installation, average wind speed data from an airport anemometer or other nearby resource such as a state sponsored wind anemometer site may be adequate. Essentially the decision to spend the time and money on a wind project may be based on the payback period for the amount of generation expected compared to the capital cost of the overall project.

Click on the map to see the wind resources of Idaho -->

Average wind speed information may be acceptable for estimates of energy production as long as the project financing is not dependent on specifically accurate energy output projections. In some cases, “flagging” (wind-caused deformations of trees) can be considered an indication of adequate resource.

Site evaluation is the first step in determining what kind of wind project to develop and what turbine or turbines to select. Sustained wind speeds are critical to a project’s economic viability; however, for smaller projects the suitability of the site itself may be the most critical factor. Proximity to buildings, trees and the utility interconnection point need to be considered and weighed with other factors to minimize the length of the electric line, while siting the turbine with the least interference to prevailing winds.