SMALL WIND SETS HIGHER STANDARDS

Standards for Small-Scale Wind Power
Colin Miner, August 28, 2009 (NY Times)

"The American Wind Energy Association [AWEA] is developing a series of standards that will measure the safety, reliability and performance of small wind turbines.

"The standards, which the organization hopes to have in place by the end of the year, come amid increased interest in small-scale and rooftop wind power — typically designed for individual homes, farms and small businesses, and producing 100 kilowatts of electricity or less…"

Big growth requires high standards. (click to enlarge)

"…[T]he American National Standards Institute, which oversees the creation of thousands of standards for things as varied as bottled water and swimming pools, [picked AWEA] to steer the process for small wind standards."

Reliable standards will facilitate growth going forward. (click to enlarge)

"The new codes, which are still being completed, would compel manufacturers to put their turbines through a variety of tests that might, for example, demonstrate their reliability by having them operate continuously for 2,500 hours (including 25 hours when the wind speed is in excess of 33 miles an hour). Other tests might be used to ensure that turbines don’t exceed a certain decibel level while operating, or are capable of shutting down in extremely high winds, which can be dangerous.

"…[W]hile a standard, which would be administered by the newly formed Small Wind Certification Corporation, would help the industry gain credibility, there are several things it won’t do [like]…make turbines more efficient…[but] standards would be a boon for consumers by forcing manufacturers to be honest [in their claims]…"