Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...

Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 9.0 Wind
9.0 Wind
The wind regime throughout Kauai is varied with respect to its strength and
accessibility. This section provides an overview of resources on the island and identifies
eleven potential project areas. Out of these, seven potential sites were labeled as medium
or high priority, and are characterized here.
9.1 Basis for Assessment
The single most critical factor of wind energy development is the wind resource.
Using a wind resource map for Kauai developed by the Hawaii Wind Working Group and
validated by the U.S. Department of Energy, Black & Veatch and KIUC identified 11
potential locations for wind energy project development. Black & Veatch has further
assessed each site based on overall wind resource and associated energy production
potential, the feasibility of construction at each site, the site’s proximity to appropriate
transmission lines, and other factors. Based on these criteria, Black & Veatch classified
each site as having a “low”, “moderate” or “high” potential to support a wind energy
project. Evaluation of each site is provided in Section 9.3.
In addition, a limited amount of anemometer data was available for analysis. This
information was assessed for applicability to the sites and used when appropriate.
9.2 Assessment of Contributing Resource
In general, the wind resource on Kauai is sufficient such that it should not limit
the amount of wind energy which may be productively developed on the island (refer to
Section 3.8 for a more complete discussion). The most likely limit to wind power
development will be the amount of wind-generated electricity that can be productively
integrated in to the KIUC system. Black & Veatch was directed by KIUC to investigate
wind energy options up to 7 MW in nameplate rating, which is approximately 10 percent
of the island’s peak load. Larger projects may be incorporated in the future once
operational experience at this level of penetration proves such expansions practical.
Wind is created primarily by global temperature fluctuations and thermal
interactions between land, sea, and air. Wind energy systems convert the power of
moving air into electricity. Aerodynamic forces act on the rotor to convert the linear
motion of the wind stream into the rotational motion needed to turn an electrical
generator. The available power in the kinetic energy of the wind is given by the relation:
P = ½ρAV 3
21 March 2005 9-1 Black & Veatch