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Technical Interconnection Issues Washington's interconnection provisions for wind and other types of generation are included in Chapter 80.60 of the Revised Code of Washington ( RCW 80.60 ), which outlines the state's net metering rules. Wind energy systems, in addition to solar, hydropower, and fuel cell systems, may connect to the utility grid if the system’s generating capacity does not exceed 25 kW. Utilities are not required to provide net metering to customers beyond the total enrollment of 0.1% of each utility’s peak demand in 1996. Washington's interconnection requirements for small generation systems are relatively straightforward. Customer-generators must comply with all local, state, and national interconnection requirements regarding safety, including the National Electrical Code (NEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recommendations. Non-Technical Interconnection Issues Interconnection rules were clarified by state law in 2000. Among the clarifications pertinent to non technical interconnection requirements of small wind projects were two important rules.
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Government Incentives
Sales and Use Tax Exemption On May 8, 2001, the Governor of Washington signed legislation, H.B. 1859, expanding the sales and use tax exemption for solar, wind, and landfill gas electric generating facilities to include fuel cells. In addition, the exemption now applies to smaller systems – those that have a generating capacity of at least 200 watts, instead of the previous requirement of Commercial, industrial, and residential customers, as well as nonprofit organizations and utilities, are eligible for a sales tax exemption for wind electric generating systems. In addition to the wind generation equipment, sales of or charges made for labor and services rendered in respect to installing such machinery and equipment are also exempt. This exemption expires June 30, 2009. Renewable Energy Production Incentives: SB 5101 SB 5101, introduced by Senator Eric Poulsen, will establish a renewable energy "feed-in" production incentive for system owners in Washington State. Homes and businesses with solar PV and wind power systems would earn a credit of 15 cents per kWh of electricity generated by their renewable energy systems, up to $2000 annually. The bill would also apply to anaerobic digesters. An economic multiplier can increase the 15 cent per kWh production incentive credit if the solar or wind power project's components are manufactured in Washington State. The multiplier can increase the credit upward to as much as 54 cents per kWh. This rate would be available for a fixed 10 year period beginning July 1, 2005. Residents and businesses taking part in the production credit will be provided the per kWh credit (up to $2000 annually) from their local utilities. The utilities are not required to take part in the program, but are allowed to write-off the cost of providing the credits against their state taxes, so they see an inherent value to participating. While SB 5101 provides incentives to new renewable energy owners, SB 5111 will provide tax breaks to renewable energy industry in the State of Washington. In April, 2005, the final version of both bills passed through the legislature with unanimous votes in the House and Senate. The bills were signed into law in May, 2005 by Governor Christine Gregoire. |
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Utility Incentives
Chelan County Public Utility District (PUD) – Sustainable Natural Alternative Power (SNAP) Producers Program Customers are encouraged to become SNAP Producers by connecting alternative power generators to the District's electrical distribution system. The SNAP program gets 100 percent of its power from local producers. The amount paid by Chelan County PUD to SNAP Producers will depend on the total amount contributed by SNAP Purchasers and the total amount generated by all SNAP Producers. The greater the amount contributed by SNAP Purchasers, the greater the amount that will be distributed among participating SNAP Producers. The maximum payment is $1.50 per The maximum capacity for any SNAP generation project that may be interconnected with the distribution system is 25 kilowatts. SNAP is not for customers who want to install renewable energy sources for back-up power generation at their home or business; customers seeking to do this should request information about the District's Net Metering program. Contact: Orcas Power & Light - Production Incentive Orcas Power & Light (OPALCO), an electric cooperative serving Washington's San Juan Islands, provides a production incentive for residential and commercial members who generate energy from Photovoltaic (PV), Wind and Micro-hydro sources, and who choose the buy/sell option which requires putting electricity onto the grid. When a wind system goes on line, an estimate is made of how much will be generated in the first year, based upon peak generation as determined by an OPALCO meter. The member receives $1 per kWh for half of that estimate. At the end of the first year, the actual amount generated is calculated and the member receives $1/kWh for the difference (actual generated minus 50% of initial estimate). The maximum amount of the incentive in the first year is $3,000. Starting in the second year, members qualify for a production incentive equal to $0.0597/kWh. Currently, there are 3 Micro-hydro, 1 Wind and 14 Solar members participating in the program. Contact: Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) - Renewable Energy Grant Using revenues generated from the sales of Green Tags, Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), a not-for-profit organization, accepts proposals for funding for renewable energy projects located in the Pacific Northwest (OR, WA, ID, MT). Any private person, organization, local or tribal government located in the Pacific Northwest may participate. Projects that generate electricity are preferred. Acceptable projects include solar photovoltaics, solar thermal electric, solar hot water, wind, hydro, biomass, and animal waste-to-energy. BEF may deliver funding through various means, including grants, loans, convertible loans, guarantees, and direct investments in renewable energy projects. BEF renewable energy grants and investments may range from a few thousand dollars for small installations, to significant investments in central station grid-connected renewable energy projects. If a BEF grant is requested for a generating project, the BEF share will not exceed 33% of total capital costs, and 0% of operating costs. To inquire about funding for a project, please visit the web site and download information regarding the submittal of a Letter of Inquiry. BEF generally does not fund residential and small business renewable energy projects with grants or investments. Rather, BEF supports installations for residential and small businesses customers through two cooperatives: Our Wind Coop and the Northwest Solar Coop. Contact: |
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Wind Resources
New wind maps for the Northwest are now available online through a project coordinated by NW Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NWSEED) and the NW Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC) and sponsored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), and numerous other organizations. A new high-resolution map of wind energy potential is now available for Washington. The US Department of Energy has produced wind resource maps for each state. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful. There is additional information in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created. The US Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network has also published wind resource data for Washington. You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory ( NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States. |
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Resources
An electronic copy of the U.S. Department of Energy's 23-page Consumer’s Guide to Small Wind Electric Systems is available at the Wind Powering America web site. A state-specific guide for Washington is available at: Small Wind Electric Systems: A Washington Consumer's Guide The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Another item of interest is the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s strong web site on wind energy projects and wind energy events/news occurring through out the country. |
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Avista Corp. Benton PUD Bonneville Power Administration Chelan County Public Utility District Clark County Public Utilities Cowlitz County PUD Grant County PUD Grays Harbor PUD Last Mile Electric Coop Lewis County PUD Mason County PUD No.3 Orcas Power & Light Cooperative Pacific Power Peninsula Light Company Puget Sound Energy Inc. Seattle City Light Snohomish County PUD Tacoma City Light |
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Government
Contacts
WSU Energy Program Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
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Organizations Interested in Renewable Energy Issues
Harvesting Clean Energy The Harvesting Clean Energy website, which features Northwest renewable energy technology profiles and news, is maintained by Climate Solutions, a nonprofit organization based in Olympia, Washington. Its efforts have been supported in part by Region X of the US Department of Energy and the US Wind Powering America Program. The group’s goal is to build awareness of the benefits of renewable energy technologies for rural landowners and communities, and support implementation through technical and educational resources. NW Energy Coalition The NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of more than 85 environmental, civic and human service organizations, utilities and businesses from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska and British Columbia. It promotes energy conservation and renewable energy resources. Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (SEED) Northwest SEED builds partnerships to mobilize consumers and maximize local benefits from harvesting "home grown" energy resources- wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, low-impact hydro, conservation, and bio-based products - while maintaining reliable electric service and creating new revenue streams and high quality jobs throughout the Pacific Northwest. Modeled on High Plains SEED, Northwest SEED supports and develops creative programs, policies, and financing approaches to build rural economies and meet the region's power needs through affordable, distributed "green" generation. Renewable Northwest Project Green Power is catching on, according to the Renewable Northwest Project, a broad coalition of public-interest organizations and energy companies created to promote renewable energy development in the region. Since its inception, RNP has been a forceful advocate in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana, for basing the region’s energy future on clean, renewable resources, such as solar, wind and geothermal. Washington State University Energy Program The Washington State University (WSU) Extension Energy Program was established July 1, 1996. At that time, the state Legislature transferred the Washington State Energy Office’s education, information, technical assistance, and training programs to WSU Extension. As a result, the WSU Extension Energy Program is the designated entity for energy education, applied research and technology transfer programs – including renewable energy, energy software, industrial energy efficiency, education and information, technical assistance and agricultural energy. Its mission is to advance environmental and economic well-being by providing unmatched energy services, products, education and information based on world-class research. Its customers include utilities, industrial plant managers, businesses, building owners, school districts, tribes, private consultants, energy end-users in all sectors, military installations, national laboratories, universities, state and local government agencies, and more. |
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Feedback Keeping an information database such as this one useful and up-to-date requires feedback from people using the site. If you have comments or ideas about how to improve this site, please contact: kathy_belyeu@awea.org Be sure to mention not only your ideas, comments or criticisms, but also the specific URL (Web address) for the page. |
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©
2006 by the American Wind Energy Association. |
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SMALL WIND in