Wind Farms

home > wind farms

The Many Steps to Planning and Building a Wind Farm

There are many stages of development before a wind farm can be approved and built. Once a site has been selected for its good overall potential, work begins on several main tasks:

• MUNICIPAL CONSULTATIONS
  It is extremely important to contact the municipality before undertaking any of the steps mentioned below. The consultations with municipalities will really help in making a project successful. Take the time to talk to your municipality and the people in the community that may be impacted directly and also indirectly. Engage them early in the planning process, answer any questions and/or concerns that they might have, and keep an open dialogue with them throughout the whole development.
  
  
• WIND ASSESSMENT
  Another very important step is assessing the wind resource. Scientists and engineers use meteorological masts to measure wind speed and other climatic conditions for at least one year. This data is then used to estimate how much energy the wind farm will produce.
  
  
• WIND FARM DESIGN
  Wind data is combined with topographical information to design the wind farm. Engineers use this data to model wind flow, turbine performance, sound levels and other parameters to optimize the location of the wind turbines. They also design the access roads, turbine foundations and local electric network, as well as the connection to the electricity grid.
  
  
• ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY
  Environmental assessments are conducted to identify any impacts on landscape, plants and wildlife, soil and water, land use or other activities such as aviation and telecommunications. If negative impacts are identified, the design is adjusted to avoid or mitigate them.
  
  
• LAND ACQUISITION
  Early in the process, developers usually approach landowners to negotiate “option” agreements to use their land. As the project progresses, the developer will seek to convert the options into firm land lease agreements.
  
  
• PERMITTING AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION
  As with any other major power project, developers must seek municipal, provincial and federal permits before the project can go ahead. They also meet the local communities to present the project, solicit their feedback and seek community support.
  
  
• ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL ANALYSIS
  Developers must demonstrate the economic viability of their project to raise the funds to build the wind farm. On one hand, they work to estimate the cost of turbines and their installation, as well as roads, electrical system, operation and maintenance, etc. On the other hand, they estimate the income they will get from the energy production of the wind farm over the lifetime of the project. Then they make sure everything balances.
  
  
• MANUFACTURING
  The wind turbine parts are manufactured and pre-assembled into the main components at the factory, then shipped to the wind farm site where the final assembly will take place.
  
  
• SITE PREPARATION
  In the meantime, the crews have to prepare the site. They build access roads and clear the areas where turbines will be erected. They then prepare the foundations; do the excavating, followed by installing the formworks and pouring concrete.
  
  
• CONSTRUCTION
  Once all components have been received, the assembly can take place. A crane is used to erect the tower and install the nacelle and rotor with its hub and blades. On the ground, the electrical collection network is installed and connected to the grid through the substation.
  
  
• COMMISSIONING
  Finally, the wind farm is tested before becoming fully operational. Currently in Canada, the construction phase presents the best opportunities for local business and jobs. Other activities related to logistics, travel, lodging and material supply generate significant additional local revenue.
  
  
• OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
  A variety of skill sets are required to ensure the effective operation of a Wind Farm. The activities that have to be performed on a regular basis throughout the project’s life include monitoring and analyzing performance, conducting environmental surveys and performing preventive maintenance and repairs on the turbines and other components of the facility. In addition to the permanent employment created to perform these tasks, a region with several wind farms may take the opportunity to develop and deliver new training programs for the specialized workers needed for these jobs.