Why It's the Perfect Time to Install a Wind Turbine on Your Farm
Webinar Key Takeaways
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Key Takeaways
Meet the Speakers
Is Wind Power Right for Your Farm?
Strong Incentives Spur the Transition to Renewable Energy
Getting to Full Operation in 5 Easy Steps
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Distributed Wind Energy Fits Perfectly With Agriculture
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sponsored by:
Paul Dawson, Business Development, North America, EWT
Moderated by Sarah Muirhead, Editor & Managing Director, Farm Progress – Livestock
Featuring:
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Brett Pingree, Country Manager, North America, EWT
Wind turbines enable the replacement of electricity—in some cases, all electricity—consumed by a farm’s operations. This means replacing utility-provided electricity with wind energy generated by a turbine located on, owned by, and supplying to the farm. When a farm has wind energy on-site, it:
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“We have 52 company restaurants, making us the largest operator of the restaurant brand. So, we are right there next to the franchisee. We know exactly what it takes to run them and what it takes to build them and what the challenges are, be they labor or food or whatever.”
- Scott Deviney, CEO, Chicken Salad Chick
The benefits of wind energy extend beyond the farm.
Paul Dawson on the Benefits of Distributed Wind
First uses all electricity generated by the wind turbine. Then, if more electricity is needed, the farm purchases electricity from a utility.
The benefits of wind energy extend beyond use on the farm. If the wind turbine is producing more electricity than needed by the farm in any given moment, that electricity is fed back into the grid in exchange for direct payment or electricity credit, depending on the policy of the electric utility. Especially in agricultural environments, wind is often more reliable and effective than solar, and requires a smaller footprint. For example, to generate an equivalent amount of electricity, 10 acres is required for a solar PV installation versus a 50-foot diameter foundation for a single EWT turbine—a 100x difference in land. However, solar can provide a complement to wind power during summer months, when winds tend to lessen in strength. This “behind-the-meter” energy benefits farms by:
Providing cost savings in both the short and long term Establishing energy independence Contributing to clean power
On-site wind turbines come in different sizes. When generating electricity for private use, it is important to match the rated power and size of the wind turbine with the power needed at the farm. This is typically done with a single turbine, which in most cases is smaller than commercial wind farm turbines. Headquartered in the Netherlands, EWT is a global company with nearly 800 global installations. EWT specializes in working in remote and challenging environments, such as Alaska and northern Canada. However, many EWT projects are in mainland sites throughout the US, UK, and Europe, powering farms, water treatment plants, quarries, and more. EWT works with farms to identify the optimal match between farm electricity needs and the appropriate wind turbine model. Equally important is identifying whether a wind turbine is right for a farm in the first place, since wind is necessary to ensure that a wind turbine makes economic sense.
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When considering wind power, location matters.
“Where does this make sense? The simple answer is: Where it's windy.”
- Paul Dawson, EWT
Ideal windy sites in the US tend to run through the middle Great Plains and the Midwest, though other sites can also benefit from wind power.
Farm Power Provided Through Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
Wind Turbine Sizes
In 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), providing incentives for transitioning to renewable energy. The IRA’s primary incentive is a base tax credit of 30% of total project cost. For taxpaying entities that do not need such a tax credit, there is a market created by law to sell these credits. For organizations that do not pay taxes, the IRA provides a cash payment in lieu of a tax credit. In addition to this tax credit, some renewable energy adopters can receive bonus incentives. Those located in an “Energy Community” (i.e., a brownfield site or a specifically defined fossil fuel community) or in a “Low-Income Community” can qualify for additional 10% to 30% tax credit. These credits can be stacked, creating an even greater incentive for renewable energy projects, leading to a maximum of 60% of the project costs being tax deductible. The already-established USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) received a significant boost in funding through the IRA. REAP is designed for agricultural producers or small businesses located in rural areas to support installation of renewable energy systems, providing 50% of up to $1 million in total project costs. REAP grants can be combined with IRA tax incentives, leading to enormous cost savings and ROI. Demand for these incentives is high and funds are limited. For those considering a wind project, now is the time to apply.
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The Inflation Reduction Act guarantees tax credits and other incentives for 10 years.
“It’s a fairly reasonable way to get new guests in your restaurant, partly because third-party delivery is bringing them there.”
"The time is now to apply, and to get in there as soon as possible, because clearly others are sensing that there is an opportunity and we want to jump on that before the funds run out."
Paul Dawson Details Iowa Dairy Farm Case Study
Tax Credit of Total Project Cost
30%-60%
From initial screening to operation, a wind energy project takes one year on average. The five key steps in the process are:
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Turnkey solutions from EWT for assistance in wind energy projects.
EWT can help. EWT offers turnkey solutions with authorized partners who help with development and construction. EWT and its partners have significant experience supporting and educating planning and select boards about the safety and impact of wind turbines, whether to address questions about zoning, wildlife impact, or other concerns. EWT also provides customer references, including site visits, for those interested in installing a wind turbine.
Paul Dawson on Ownership & Financing Options
Screening. EWT looks at a few key points to understand if wind power makes sense, analyzing the wind quality at the site and the current electric bill to establish an estimate of ROI. EWT also conducts a preliminary site review to understand where a wind turbine could fit on the property. Feasibility. If the screening yields promising results, EWT conducts a wind study, outlines financing options (i.e., purchase, lease, or purchase power agreement), and reviews required permitting, such as building and interconnection permits. Project development. In this stage, engineering work (including a geotech study), civil work, and electrical work are executed. Any permitting or special requirements are addressed. Construction. The path to the final location is cleared, the foundation is poured, and the turbine is delivered and installed. This stage typically takes only one to two weeks. Operation. Once up and running, turbine maintenance is part of a bumper-to-bumper contract that covers both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of the Internet-connected turbines.
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Paul Dawson
Business Development, North America, EWT
Seasoned Business Development & Strategy professional in renewable energy since 2016, with roles such as Vice President at Eocycle Technologies and driving global sales and development at Northern Power Systems and NRG Systems. Adept in project finance, market expansion, and strategic planning, as well as contributing to multiple successful ventures.
Sarah Muirhead - Moderator
Editor & Managing Director, Farm Progress – Livestock
Patrick Quirk
Vice President & General Manager, Vertiv
Patrick Quirk directs strategy for our global embedded firmware operations and now leads converged systems business. Prior to Vertiv, he served in leadership roles for telecommunications and semiconductor technology companies in the US and Europe.
Speakers
Brett Pingree
Country Manager, North America, EWT
Brett is an industry veteran and possesses a vast leadership background in renewables. He spearheaded notable projects in distributed wind and solar energy, holding key roles at major firms. With an Executive Leadership Certificate and an Environmental Science degree, he's an esteemed figure recognized by DWEA for his significant contributions.
Systems and NRG Systems. Adept in project finance, market expansion, and strategic planning, as well as contributing to multiple successful ventures.
an Executive Leadership Certificate and an Environmental Science degree, he's an esteemed figure recognized by DWEA for his significant contributions.
Watch Webinar
This webinar is designed for agricultural producers with high electricity usage who want to learn about distributed wind energy for their agriculture-based businesses. This event will allow you to learn: what is distributed wind energy and what are its benefits, why it is complementary or superior to solar PV, how to leverage the new federal incentives to enable great economic paybacks, and how to make such projects happen.
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