An overview of wind power effects on visual impacts, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker,...

Rhode IslandRenewable Energy Siting Partnership


(RESP)

Stakeholder Meeting #5Thursday, January 12, 2012

6:00 – 9:00 PMURI Coastal Institute, Bay Campus, Hazards Room



(RESP)

Rhode Islanders will have access to relevant information so they may make informed, fact‐

based decisions about renewable energy


Land‐Based Wind Energy


Solar & Hydropower Energy


RESP OutcomesResearch characterizing Rhode Island’s land‐based renewable energy resources and evaluating its potential effects on communities and the environment

Mapping products and siting decision support tools

A comprehensive online clearinghouse for Rhode Island energy data and analytics

A public dialogue fostering and engaging a well‐informed & well‐represented constituency


Project PhasesPHASE I: Issue Identification and Assessment (September – November 2011)

GOAL: Meet with stakeholders to identify issues of concern regarding the siting and management of land‐based renewable energy. Identify existing research and data. Understand past renewable energy efforts.

PHASE II: Information Synthesis and Communication (December 2011 – January 2012)

GOAL: Provide technical responses to the issues of concern identified by the stakeholders during Phase I. Communicate to stakeholders the findings and opportunities for continued engagement.

PHASE III: Develop Final Products (February – March 2012)

GOAL: Complete research products and develop specific siting and management guidelines for land‐based renewable energy.


Visual Impacts

Subjective IssueHow do we quantify aesthetic/visual impacts and

establish evaluation criteria?


Turbine at Portsmouth Abbey, porsmouthabbey.org.

Turbine at Fishermen’s Mem’l State Park.


http://www.vermonterswithvision.org/sizecomparison.html

Visual Impacts


Clean Energy States Alliance, 2011


Visual Impacts

1. Size of turbine2. Topography3. Movement of the rotor/blades4. Color of turbine components5. Lighting6. Signage7. Weather conditions (cloudy vs. blue sky)8. Seasons – trees with/without foliage9. Proximity to valued cultural/historic

landscapes and scenic areas

Portsmouth High School, RI


Wind turbine in dark clouds, South Dakota. Turbine at Fishermen’s Mem’l State Park.


Visual Impacts

Art installation in Hanover, Germany.

Lit turbine and turbine construction in Illinois, 2008.


Visual Impacts

Cultural, Historic, and Archaeological

Section 106 of National Historic Preservation ActIf project uses federal funds or requires federal approval or permitting, SHPO must be consulted.

Define “APE” – Area of Potential EffectCollect data on historical/culturally significant properties within catchment area.


Portsmouth High School Turbine & Fort Butts

WATER TOWER

WIND TURBINE


Visual ImpactsHow can municipalities apply a

logical process to determining the aesthetic/scenic/visual impacts of wind power projects?

• What are the responsibilities of the developer?

• What are the responsibilities of the City/Town?

• How should the public be engaged? • What are the options to consider?

• Avoid• Minimize• Mitigate


Visual Impacts“A Visual Impact Process for

Wind Energy Projects, 2011”

PROCESS:Graphic Information:• Project Map• Viewshed Mapping• Public Natural & Cultural Resources• Viewpoints• Document Character of Area

(photos)• Photo Simulations of Project

Key Questions:• What are project’s visual impacts?• Will project have unreasonable or

undue visual impacts?


Visual ImpactsNew York State Wind Energy Toolkit, 2009QUESTIONS:• To what extent is the turbine visible?• When is the turbine visible (season, time of

day)?• Who sees the turbine and under what

circumstances (season, light conditions, during which activities)?

• To what extent does the visibility of the project alter the character and quality of the viewshed?

• What is the relationship of visual impacts to the policies/values in the community?


Visual ImpactsNew York State Wind Energy Toolkit, 2009Visual Impact Analysis

Responsibilities of the Developer:• Inventory scenic & aesthetic resources at state & local

level• Prepare viewshed map• Describe usage & aesthetic values within project area• Reveal & characterize visual & aesthetic impacts of

project• Employ mitigation strategies to minimize adverse

impacts

Responsibilities of the Town:• Verify that project sponsor has inventoried significant

aesthetic resources, including from other jurisdictions• Certify that impacts have been minimized• Require project sponsors comply with mitigation

strategies


Visual ImpactsNew York State Wind Energy Toolkit, 2009Visual Impact Analysis (con’t)

Tools to describe and characterize visual impacts:

• Viewshed map• Visual simulations• Line‐of‐sight profile

Mitigation Strategies:• Downsizing• Relocation• Lighting• Non‐specular materials• Screening• Camouflage• Decommissioning• Offsets


Visual Impacts

Visualization Models: Computer‐based & photo simulations

• Representativeness• Accuracy• Visual Clarity• Interest• Legitimacy

AWEA Siting Handbook, 2008


Visual Impacts

Clean Energy States Alliance, 2011

Truescape Visual Reality


Visual Impacts1. What is ‘visual impact’?2. How are visual impacts assessed?3. Responses to wind turbines in the

landscape?4. What are concerns in RI related to

visual impact?5. How have other states/countries

evaluated visual impacts of WTGs?6. How can visual impacts be avoided

or mitigated?7. Post installation, do impacts

change?


Visual Impacts

1. Attempt to quantify a qualitative issue

2. Establish criteria for assessment & accurately predict impacts

3. Articulate clear expectations & a process that the developers, town officials, and citizens can understand


Visual Impacts

Shadow Flicker


Process for evaluating impacts:

• Define the impact area

• Property sales data

• Statistical analysis to determine whether wind project has influenced prices at which properties have been sold

Discussion: Property Value Impacts


ISSUES:

• Property values fluctuate due to variety of factors, including local, regional & national economic factors

• Can be considered subjective based on opinions of buyers and sellers

• Consider potential tax revenue from wind energy projects to offset local tax burdens, which may make a community more desirable.

• Research thus far has shown little measurable impact.

• Land transaction data – how many years of data is reasonable for assessing impacts?

• What are realtors saying?

Discussion: Property Value Impacts


“The Effect of Wind Development on Local Property Values”, Renewable Energy Policy Project, 2003• 10 case studies, wind farms >10MW,

• Property value data from projects that came online between 1998‐2001

• Conclusion: “…there is no support for the claim that wind development will harm property values.”

Property Value Impacts


“The Impact of Wind Power Projects on Residential Property Values in the United States: A Multi‐Site Hedonic Analysis”, Hoen et al, December 2009• Reviewed available literature, 1996‐2009• Concerns of possible impact of wind

projects on property values are reasonably well established

• BUT, identified 7 shortcomings of existing attempts to quantify impacts of wind projects on residential property values



“Wind Turbine Impact Study” Appraisal Group One, September 2009• Study sponsor – Calumet County Citizens for Responsible Energy,

Wisconsin• Literature study• Realtor Opinion Survey• Sales studies – compared vacant residential lot sales within the wind

turbine farm area to comparable sales located outside of the turbine influence


“Field Guide to Wind Farms and their Effect on Property Values”, National Association of Realtors, updated April 2011• Summarizes current state of the wind industry• Real estate‐related research and its critics• Wind maps & regulations – where future projects are being considered• Resources, both critical & supportive


How should Rhode Island municipalities assess property value impacts when evaluating wind projects?

What mitigation measures would be acceptable for projects where property values are impacted?



RESP Online Resources


RESP Online ResourcesInteractive map viewer

Siting decision support tools


Informational resources for citizens, businesses, decision‐makers, communities, advocates…



•Layers•Basemap

•Graphs•Tools


RESP Online ResourcesSiting decision support tools

•Resource availability•Acoustics, shadow flicker, EMF

•Economics


RESP Online ResourcesA comprehensive online clearinghouse for Rhode Island energy data and analytics


RESP Online ResourcesInformational resources for citizens, businesses, decision‐makers, communities, advocates…

•Programs

•Policies•Players•Papers


Next Steps• Stakeholder Meeting #6 – February 2, 2012

• Proposed Topics:

• Energy Data & Analytics

• Energy Data Visualization

• Online Resources


Next StepsLibrary Lectures:

• Tuesday, January 24, 2012 What's in the Wind? Meteorological Observations for Energy Siting

• Monday, February 6, 2012 Mapping Renewable Energy in Rhode Island

• Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Science for Siting: Engineering for Locating Wind Turbines

• Thursday, March 8, 2012 Wind Power and Wildlife: Assessing Potential Impacts on Birds and Bats



(RESP)

Stakeholder Meeting #5Thursday, January 12, 2012

6:00 – 9:00 PMURI Coastal Institute, Bay Campus, Hazards Room

An overview of wind power effects on visual impacts, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker,...

Education

Transcript of An overview of wind power effects on visual impacts, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker,...