About the Seminar

Get In-Depth Insights into Uncertainty Analysis throughout the Wind Assessment Process

Join the conversation as the wind industry’s leading owners, project developers and wind assessors tackle the latest challenges facing the wind resource assessment community. This important seminar will explore new challenges and provide critical insight into key issues that drive the certainty with which we can make our energy predictions. Discuss the industry’s evolving needs with peers and experts, discover state-of-the-art techniques and technologies that use wind assessment data to make wind energy projects possible, and leave with an arsenal of knowledge and a pocket full of business cards.


This is the industry’s ONLY wind resource assessment seminar – no other event offers such superior education and networking with a resource assessment focus.


ATTENTION! This seminar is technical in nature. If you are new to wind resource assessment, attend the pre-conference seminar: Resource Assessment 101 on Tuesday, December 13th


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Register for this specialized seminar to:

  • Discover best practices in commonly-used wind resource assessment methods

  • Explore aspects of uncertainty throughout various aspects of the project

  • Recognize methods for correcting loss factors

  • Identify and reduce extrapolation uncertainty

  • Examine remote sensing and advanced computation modeling


New program, more networking, greater opportunities:


  • Unparalleled networking opportunities with your peers and potential customers - connect with fellow attendees, meet new people and share your experiences

  • Registered attendees can maximize networking opportunities with AWEA’s new event specific professional networking website

  • Find decision makers here – 56% of the 2010 attendees identified themselves at the manager, director or executive level


Program Chairs

Chris Ziesler, Senior Vice President, Meteorology and Wind Analysis, Wind Capital Group
Tom Hiester, VP Development, RES America Developments Inc.

Who Should Attend?

  • Wind Assessors

  • Meteorologists

  • Project Developers & Owners

  • Wind Energy Consultants

  • Academics & Non-Profits

  • Turbine Manufacturers

  • GIS Specialists

  • Engineers

  • Technical Analysts

  • Turbine Manufacturers

Tera-Watt Sponsors

NRG Systems  

Mega-Watt Sponsors

SecondWind  

 Back to the Basics

 

Resource Assessment 101*

December 13 > 1:00PM - 5:30PM

This introductory session is specifically designed for those wind professionals new to resource assessment, or those who are already familiar but who would like to hone their knowledge. By attending this seminar, you will maximize your learning during the more technical full workshop program. View the program agenda.

*An additional registration fee of $125



 Download the Event Brochure

 RA_Brochure_Cover 2012

Registration

 Online registration is now closed.  However, you may register on-site at the hotel on Tuesday, December 13 at 12:00pm.

Click here to download a PDF list of companies who's attending this year's seminar!

Registration Prices

 

Registration Type

Early Bird Discount by November 22

   Regular by
   December 12

Onsite After
December 12

AWEA Business Member

$495

   $550

$600

AWEA Advocate

$595

   $650

$700

Non-Member

$595

   $650

$700

Government Agency

$300

   $350

$400

Full-Time Student or Faculty

$250

   $300

$350

Non-Profit*

$250

   $300

$350

Seminar Speaker or Moderator

$150

   $150

$150

Optional Pre-Conference Session**

$125

   $125

$125


* Non-Profit registrations require pre-approval by AWEA. See below for a description of the type of organizations that meet our non-profit pricing requirement and email  conference@awea.org for details.

** Resource Assessment 101 Pre-Conference Seminar to be held on December 13, 2011.

For registration questions or general event inquiries, contact conference@awea.org or

(202) 383-2512.

If you are unsure of your AWEA membership status, contact membership@awea.org or

(202) 383-2556. 

If you are interesting in exhibiting, contact exhibition@awea.org or (202) 383-2514.

 

Special Attendee Types

Government Agency: A full-time employee of a U.S. or international government agency (federal, state, local or tribal). Government-supported universities or colleges, government contractors, and government consultants do not qualify. Economic development organizations should register under the Government category.

Full-Time Student or Faculty: To qualify for the Student/Faculty registration rate you must be a current full-time student or faculty member at an educational institution. You must bring your institution ID to registration to verify your status.


Speaker: Registration for confirmed speakers and moderators in the seminar (limit 1 per presentation). Speaker/Moderator status will be verified.


Non-Profit Wind Power / Clean Energy Advocacy Groups: Discounted registrations are available to certain non-profit wind power / clean energy organizations that receive pre-approval by AWEA. This category is intended for specific wind power / clean energy advocacy groups as well as qualified environmental or energy related non-profits such as the Sierra Club, Energy Foundation or World Wildlife Fund among others. All 501c3 organizations will not necessarily qualify for the non-profit registration rate. Economic development organizations do not qualify for the non-profit registration rate and instead should register under the government registration category. Email conference@awea.org with your full contact information and a brief description of your non-profit organization including a link to your organization website to request non-profit approval.

 

Media / Press: Complimentary press registrations are available to those that meet AWEA's media accreditation guidelines. To request a complimentary press pass contact presspass@awea.org. 

 

Registration Policies

Seminar registration includes: a networking reception, continental breakfasts, lunches, access to the speaker presentations, plus invaluable education from experts in the wind energy community and critical networking opportunities.


Discounted registration rates end November 22, 2011. After 3:00pm ET on December 12, 2011 you may no longer register by mail or fax. After this date, you must register on-site at the hotel.


Confirmation & Changes: Registration confirmations are emailed automatically upon registering on-line or upon manual entry of registrations sent via mail or fax. If you have changes to your registration including contact information, purchasing additional items to your registration such as a pre-conference seminar that is available to specific events, or if you need to provide a substitution for your registration, email conference@awea.org no later than Monday, December 12, 2011.  After this date, any changes or substitutions will need to be made on-site at the event.


Cancellation Policy: All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted to AWEA in writing via email to conference@awea.org or fax to (202) 293-2567. Refunds may not be processed until after the completion of the seminar. All refund requests received by December 7, 2011 will be processed less a $100 administrative fee. There will be no refunds made for cancellations after December 7 or for no-shows and registration fees may not be transferred to a different AWEA event. However substitutions are permitted for no charge. Email information on substitutions to conference@awea.org. Any refunds to credit card payments may only be credited back to the original credit card and cannot be refunded to a different card.


Other: AWEA reserves the right to eject any registrant from the event without any prior notice or refund if while at the event your behavior is deemed disruptive, offensive, dangerous, and illegal or if you are found to be distributing unauthorized material.

This event is proceeding as planned unless the event organizer, the venue, and/or local or national authorities deem it to be unsafe to do so at which time we will update this website with more information.


 

Tera-Watt Sponsors

NRG Systems  

Mega-Watt Sponsors

SecondWind  

Program Chairs

Chris Ziesler, Senior VP Meteorology & Wind Analysis, Wind Capital Group
Co-Chair: Tom Hiester, Senior VP of Development, RES America Developments Inc. 



Agenda

This seminar packs education and networking opportunities together in a professional environment conducive for interactions with wind industry peers. This seminar is technical in nature and you are encouraged to use this reference document as a guide to common acronyms, abbreviations, symbols and equations.

 


Tuesday, December 13



New to Resource Assessment?

Then attend the Resource Assessment 101 seminar on December 13th.  It will provide the background you need to understand the seminar sessions. Click Here for the Resource Assessment 101 Program Agenda.

Additional registration fee required.



Wednesday, December 14

7:30 AM
Registration Opens
Location: Grand Ballroom AB Pre-Function Area

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast & Exhibits
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Welcome & Opening Session
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

Program Chair: Tom Hiester, Senior VP of Development, RES America Developments Inc.

8:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Uncertainty and Risk Management in Resource and Project Assessment: An Overview
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

Wind project assessments usually focus on the expected average energy production - the P50. But often just as important to achieving the objectives of developers, lenders, and equity investors is the uncertainty in those assessments. This session presents an overview of the concepts and methods used in analyzing uncertainty and their application to wind resource and project energy assessment, as well as the bottom line value of investments in reducing the uncertainty.


Session Chair:
Michael Brower, Chief Technical Officer, AWS Truepower

Speakers:
Michael Brower, Chief Technical Officer, AWS Truepower
Presentation Title: What do you mean you're not sure? Concepts in Uncertainty and Risk Management
Kimberly Comstock, Senior Engineer, DNV
Presentation Title: Uncertainty and Risk Management in Resource and Project Assessment
Robert Scheuermann, Senior VP, Finance, Wind Capital Group
Presentation Title: The Bottom Line: How Uncertainty Affects Project Financing

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Networking Break & Exhibits
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Minimizing Measurement Uncertainty
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

This session will answer the question, "How much of the total wind speed and energy uncertainty result from measurement techniques and devices?"

Topics discussed:


  • Total Uncertainty due to Measurement (Steve Hatlee)

  • What are the sources of measurement uncertainty?
  • What are typical measurement uncertainty values?
  • What types of factors impact measurement uncertainty?
  • Differences in typical WRA monitoring vs. power curve testing

  • Measurement Uncertainty of Ground-Based Remote Sensing (Dariush Faghani)

  • Differences between anemometers and remote sensing
  • Techniques to derive uncertainty from remote measurements
  • Situations best/worst suited for remote sensing campaigns

  • Panel discussion on best practices and reducing uncertainty (Panelists: Errol Halberg and Scott McDonald)

  • Practical considerations when using remote sensing devices
  • Instrumentation types: benefits and shortcomings

Session Chair:
Erik Hale, Wind Assessment Manager, enXco

Speakers:
Steve Hatlee, Assistant Director of Wind Developer Services, AWS Truepower, LLC
Presentation Title: Measurement Uncertainty in Wind Resource Assessment
Dariush Faghani, Team Leader - Remote Sensing & Advanced Technologies, GL Garrad Hassan
Presentation Title: Measurement Uncertainty of Ground-Based Remote Sensing

Panelists:
Scott McDonald, Manager of Meteorology, Iberdrola Renewables
Errol Halberg, Manager, Wind Resource Department, GENIVAR

12:15 PM - 1:45 PM
Networking Lunch
Location: Grand Ballroom A/B

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Referencing Results to the Long-Term
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

This session will look at the long-term aspects of wind resource assessment. Covering a broad range of topics from the mechanics of MCP to climatology, we will grapple with some of the challenges encountered in providing accurate long-term wind resource estimates, such as:

  • How good is your long-term estimate? How do you know? How does the quality of your long-term estimate affect financing terms?
  • How good is your correlation? Is R2 sufficient? Are there other ways to tell?
  • How good is your reference data? How long is "long enough"? Does data source matter? Location?
  • How do climate cycles affect your long-term estimate?
  • Are you "done" worrying about your long-term estimate when the wind farm gets built?


Session Chair:
Rolf Miller, Director, Wind Assessment, Acciona Energy

Speakers:
Tony Rogers, Principal Specialist, DNV
Presentation Title: Estimating Long-Term Wind Speeds: Issues and Methods
Gil Lizcano, Director of R&D, Vortex
Presentation Title: Climate Control on P90/P50, Quantifying Climate Uncertainty
Jeff Freedman, Lead Research Scientist, AWS Truepower, LLC
Presentation Title: Resource Assessment, Trends, and Atmospheric Variability
Pascal Storck, Chief Operating Officer, 3TIER
Presentation Title: Why Long-Term Context Matters

3:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Networking Break & Exhibits
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room

3:45 PM - 5:30 PM
Reducing Extrapolation Uncertainty
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

This session aims to address the topic of why wind shear occurs at all, exactly how the common measurement and extrapolation methodologies attempt to capture it, and consequently where they might fall short.  Concrete recommendations will be made on how to not only reduce the extrapolation uncertainty on a project, but how to monetize those reductions in uncertainty allowing for a clearer path taking those steps.  With hub heights and rotor diameters generally increasing, the future of extrapolation uncertainty and how to address it will also be discussed.

  • Why shear exists and what controls it?
  • Origins and Mechanics of the Log Law and Power Law
  • Concrete ways to reduce extrapolation uncertainty
  • Monetizing reductions in uncertainty for decision making
  • Future assessment campaigns for higher hub heights and larger rotors


Session Chair:
Kevin Walter, Director of Meteorology, TradeWind Energy


Speakers:
Rob Istchenko, Director of Wind Energy - Western Canada, GENIVAR
Presentation Title: Overview of Extrapolation Uncertainty
Kevin Walter, Director of Meteorology, TradeWind Energy
Presentation Title: Revisiting Results from the 2010 Extrapolation Experiment
Greg Cisz, Director of Wind Technology, Third Planet Windpower
Presentation Title: Monetizing Wind Resource Uncertainty Reduction
Andrew Oliver, Senior VP Technical & Commerce Analysis, RES Americas
Presentation Title: Remote Sensing's Role in Wind Speed Extrapolation

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Networking Reception
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room



Thursday, December 15

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast & Exhibits
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Morning Summary
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

Program Chair: Chris Ziesler, Senior VP Meteorology & Wind Analysis, Wind Capital Group
Co-Chair:

8:45 AM - 10:15 AM
Defining Spatial Variation of Resource
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

This session is designed to explore the observed differences in the variation of wind speed at operating projects compared to the wind speed variation predicted through preconstruction modeling. Operational data from individual turbines at a number of wind farms will be used to obtain high density measurements of the wind flow across the projects.  These data, once normalized, will be used to examine a number of points including:

  • A validation of existing wind flow models
  • An examination of the uncertainty in predicting the wind flow
  • How to use this information to extract recommendations and suggestions for designing and optimizing layouts. 

Throughout the presentations, there will be a focus on how to evaluate production data to examine wind flow modeling accuracy.

Session Chair:
Taylor Geer, Department Head - Energy - North America, GL Garrad Hassan


Speakers:
Jared Kassebaum, Senior Resource Assessment Engineer, enXco
Presentation Title: Utilizing Cross-Prediction Errors to Develop a Model of Mapping Uncertainty
Matthew Meyers, Manager Wind Analysis, E.ON Climate & Renewables
Sara Tyler, Wind Resource Manager, Shell Wind Energy, Inc.
Presentation Title: A developer's observations of farm-scale wind patterns within an onshore Great Plains operating site

Additional speakers to be announced

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Networking Break & Exhibits
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM
Correcting from the Ideal - Wake Losses
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

This session discusses all of the latest research about turbine wakes – new wake measurements at operating projects, updated comparisons of wakes to existing models, and recent advances in wake model development. Methods used to quantify uncertainty on wake predictions will also be discussed, along with considerations for minimizing uncertainty on wake effects.

  • Attendees will learn new results validating wake models against project data, including specific cases where current models work well and cases where they do not.
  • Attendees will learn about new numerical models available that provide new approaches to predicting wake losses at projects.
  • Attendees will learn how uncertainty on wake models can be estimated, as well as possible methods for reducing the wake uncertainty for future projects.


Session Chair:
Gordon Randall, Principal Consultant, DNV

Speakers:
Gordon Randall, Principal Consultant, DNV
Presentation Title: Measured and Modeled Wakes - Improving Predictions and Quantifying Uncertainty
Daniel Bernadett, Chief Engineer, AWS Truepower, LLC
Presentation Title: Deep Array Wake Model
Julie Lundquist, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder
Presentation Title: Observations of Atmospheric Stability Impacts on Turbine Wakes

Additional speakers to be announced

Presentations 15-20 minutes

12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
Location: Grand Ballroom A/B

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Correcting from the Ideal - Availability, Performance and Other Losses
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

Actual project performance is what is reflected by the revenue meter turns in the real world – making it critical analysts properly account for availability, turbine performance and other losses which turn ideal, gross generation potential into realistic net production expectations.The audience will hear results of studies on turbine performance evaluations in varying atmospheric conditions, and observations from two owner-operators on availability, project losses and real world turbine production.This will be followed by a structured panel discussion on losses and bottom line performance to provide additional insight and perspective for the audience.


Session Chair:
Eric White, Executive Director in Tax Oriented Investments, J.P. Morgan

Speakers:
Clint Johnson, GL Garrad Hassan
Justin Johnson, Director, Performance Management, EDP Renewables
Presentation Title: Typical Availability Losses and Categorization: Observations From an Operating Project Portfolio
Scott McBride, Regional Manager - Wind Generation, NRG Energy
Presentation Title: Uncertainty in Loss Factor Calculations

Additional speakers to be announced.

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Networking Break & Exhibits
Location: Pre-Function Area (2nd Floor) and the Willow Room

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Results of the North American Resource Assessment Exercise
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

Prior to the seminar, wind assessors from across North America were given the opportunity to participate in a pre-construction assessment of the energy production in a specific site.  The objective of this exercise is to gain and share insight into the various different approaches to wind resource assessment that are used across the industry along the lines of the similar exercise run by EWEA this summer, but for a site which is more representative of wind farms developed in North America.  The results from participating organizations will be analyzed and then compared. 


Session Chairs:
Chris Ziesler, Senior VP Meteorology and Wind Analysis, Wind Capital Group
Matthew Hendrickson, Independent

Speakers:
Oisin Brady, Director, Natural Power Consultants
Presentation Title: Overview and Conclusions of the EWEA Resource Assessment Comparison Exercise
Matthew Hendrickson, Independent
Presentation Title: Industry Survey of Wind Energy Assessment Techniques

5:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Seminar Wrap Up
Location: Grand Ballroom CD

Program Chair: Chris Ziesler, Senior VP Meteorology & Wind Analysis, Wind Capital Group
Co-Chair:

2011 Resource Assessment Seminar Program Committee

Thank You:

Jim Adams, Natural Power Consultants Ltd.

Rebecca Barthelmie, Indiana University

Michael Brower, AWS Truepower, LLC

Owen Clay, NRG Systems, Inc.

Kimberly Comstock, DNV 

Matthew Hendrickson, EDP Renewables North America LLC

Tom Hiester, RES America Developments Inc.

Clint Johnson, GL Garrad Hassan North America

Chris McAloon, Noble Environmental Power

Bernd Meyer, Siemens Energy Inc

Gregory Poulos, V-Bar, LLC

Eric White, JP Morgan

Chris Ziesler, Wind Capital Group

Tera-Watt Sponsors

NRG Systems  

Mega-Watt Sponsors

SecondWind  

 

Housing Information

 

Location

Sheraton Seattle Hotel
1400 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101

AWEA Rate

$139.00 (single or double occupancy)
Plus applicable taxes

Effective November 1, 2011,  all hotels in the downtown Seattle improvement area began imposing a $2 Seattle Tourism Assessment per occupied room night. 


Reservations


206-447-5547
(Indicate you are with the American Wind Energy Association)

OR Click here to reserve your hotel room on-line

Deadline

A limited number of discounted rooms have been arranged for seminar attendees. The discounted rate will be available while group rooms remain until November 28, 2011. Once the discounted rooms are sold out or after November 28 (whichever comes first), the hotel may continue to accept reservations at the discounted rate on a space-available basis; however, they could be at a higher prevailing room rate.

Hotel Contact Info

Hotel Phone: 206-621-9000

Hotel Fax: 206-621-8441





Hotel Accommodations

 

As the largest hotel in the Pacific Northwest, the 35-story Sheraton Seattle Hotel is a contemporary urban retreat in the heart of downtown Seattle, Washington. Transformed by the expansion of the new 25-story Union Street Tower, the Sheraton Seattle is a high style, high-speed hotel and meeting destination for business travelers, groups, and vacationers. Discover a vibrant destination with innovative hospitality and warm Seattle personality that inspires you to work, play, relax, dream and connect in the Emerald City.

Click here for more information about the Sheraton Seattle Hotel.

 Sheraton Seattle

 

Sheraton Seattle Sleeping Room

Travel Information

The information and pricing listed below is provided as a service by AWEA but is subject to change.

Closest Airport:
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) is approximately 14 miles from the hotel.


For more information on the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, visit
http://www.portseattle.org/seatac/


Transportation Information:

Follow signs to “Ground Transportation”


Taxi: Estimated cost of a cab is $35-40; Travel time varies at different peaks of the day


Driving Directions:

From Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA):
Head south on International Boulevard toward S 180th St. Make a U-turn at S 182 St.  Take the ramp onto WA-519 E.  Take the exit on the left onto I-5 North toward Seattle.  Take exit 165 on the left for Seneca St.  Take a slight right onto 6th avenue and the hotel will be on the right. 


From Spokane, Washington and other areas to the East:
Head west on I-90W/US-2 W/US-395S toward Seattle.  Continue to follow to I-90W.  Take exit 2C for I-5 toward Vancouver B.C.  Follow signs for Madison St./Convention Pl and marge onto 7th Avenue.  Turn left onto Seneca St.  Take the 1st right onto 6th avenue and the hotel will be on the right.


From Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada:
Head south onto BC-99 S.  Continue onto I-5 S.  Take 165B to merge onto Union Street.  Turn right onto 6th Avenue and the hotel will be on the right.


From Portland, Oregon:
Head north on Interstate 405 N and keep right at the fork.  Follow signs for Kerby Avenue.  Keep left at the form and follow signs for Interstate 5 N/Seattle and merge onto I-5 N.  Take exit 165 on the left for Seneca St.  Take a slight right onto 6th Avenue and the hotel will be on the right.  

  
Parking: 

Valet parking only at $43 per night.
7th and Pike Garage is $30 per night; you will need a need a pass from the hotel to honor that price.
 

Internet:

Internet access in the sleeping room is $10.95 per day.  Free wifi is available in the lobby at the Link@Sheraton along with internet workstations and printing services.
 

Tera-Watt Sponsors

NRG Systems  

Mega-Watt Sponsors

SecondWind  

Increase Brand Recognition, Promote Your Company

The AWEA Wind Resource & Project Energy Assessment Seminar is the only event focusing on this industry segment. AWEA has hosted the event annually since 2006, and it is always well attended by turbine manufacturers and project developers. The seminar features a wide variety of exhibiting companies, representing the many services and solutions that are critical to project development decision making. Throughout the event, particularly during session breaks, breakfast, and the reception, attendees are encouraged to stop by the exhibit area to learn more about these companies.

 

Interested in exhibiting? Click here for more information.


 

Current Exhibitors:

 

Sponsorships

Sponsoring an AWEA Seminar generates the type of exposure you are looking for in an effective marketing program. Reach your target audience, promote your company and product, and leave a lasting impression. Please see below for a list of available sponsorship items. Click here for more information.

 

  • Reception - SOLD
  • Luncheon
  • Breakfast & Breaks
  • Lanyards - SOLD
  • Print Stations
  • Brochure Placement
  • Notepads - SOLD
  • Highlighters
  • Pens
  • Water Station Sponsor
  • Hotel Keycards - SOLD
  • Internet Access

 

There are many excellent sponsorship opportunities available for all AWEA events; please contact Brandon Kopp at 202-383-2514, or email exhibition@awea.org.

 

Advertising

Each attendee at the event will receive a program guide that includes the seminar agenda, sponsor listings, exhibitor listings, and any ads that have been placed. Maximize your participation in the event by placing an ad in the hand of every attendee. Click here for more information.

Tera-Watt Sponsors

NRG Systems  

Mega-Watt Sponsors

SecondWind