HomeMy WebLinkAbout01122012 Energy Study Committee MinutesMinutes for The ESC Subcommittee on Wind Turbine Risk Assessment meeting on
January 12, 2012, 2.30 pm, PSF Training Room, 4 Fairgrounds Rd.
Next scheduled meeting January 20th, 2012, time and place to be determined.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Peter Morrison at 2.35 pm. In attendance
were subcommittee members Peter Morrison, Whitey Willauer, Chris Magee, and Ian
Golding. John Stover was absent. David Strong, Senior Project Manager of Sustainable
Energies Development, was on speaker phone. Also present were Selectmen Rick
Atherton and Bobby DeCosta, Jason Graziadei from the Inquirer and Mirror, David
Worth, Frank Kaminsky, Bill Tornovich, and several others.
Frank Kaminsky asked if the size of the wind turbine under consideration was limited
to 900 KW, observing that smaller turbines might have a better cost/benefit ratio. David
Strong answered that the procurement process was not limited to a particular model.
Whitey Willauer asked whether the amount requested for the ATM warrant would limit
the size of the turbine. In answer to David Worth’s question as to whether any formal
engineering estimate had been obtained, David Strong answered that SED had done the
estimate in-house, and that he considered them to be accurate. A discussion ensued
as to the time line and status of the RFP, with David Strong stating that with site visits
and interviews the process was likely to take up to two months, and that the bidders
(at least three, hopefully five or six) would need to know that the project was approved
in advance. To Bobby DeCosta’s question as to whether the figures provided to him
by Anne Kuzspa reflected all the construction costs, David Strong answered in the
affirmative. When concerns were expressed about the accuracy of the capacity factor
compared to the percentages attained by the two turbines operating at Hull, Frank stated
that the figure of 45% represented the manufacturers’ evaluation, given the conditions
on Nantucket, and that he was in possession of the wind source data, if needed.
The subcommittee voted to accept the Proposed Statement of Aims as put forward
by chairman Peter Morrison. David Worth offer to share the spreadsheet that he had
prepared, based on SED’s formulas, was also accepted. The spreadsheet allows
for different scenarios to be run, and incorporates variables in policy issues, e.g. net
metering. A discussion ensued as to whether the purview of the subcommittee was
limited to financial risk. Members agreed to compile individual assessments of risks,
excluding health which is being addressed by a separate subcommittee, for the next
meeting. Three subsequent meetings have been scheduled before Feb. 16th., the likely
date for a FinCom decision on the project.
The meeting was adjourned at 3.55 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Ian Golding