eFormative Options

Protected: Test for Download – Link Page

admin — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 17:25:54 +0000

Protected: Test page for download

admin — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:56:27 +0000

Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool

admin — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 12:00:30 +0000

State and utility policy makers, county officials, and other interested stakeholders can now explore the best ways to improve the bottom line of consumer-owned wind turbines with a new Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool and accompanying User Guide. Version 2.1 of the Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool includes several updates reflecting changes in market conditions, refined assumptions, and improved user interface elements.

In one of the most significant usability upgrades allowing more flexibility in examining selected scenarios, users can now adjust the assumed Annual Energy Production (AEP) with a slider bar on the Technical page. Incentive calculations for numerous states including Wisconsin, California, New York, Vermont, Oregon, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, Idaho, and Texas are updated based on the Policy Tool’s customized feed from the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency www.dsireusa.org.

As part of a project funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Policy Tool uses a dashboard-interfaced pro forma financial model to calculate the impact rebates, tax credits, feed-in tariffs (FITS) and other incentives and policies have on project economics. The project helps address market challenges identified in the U.S. DOE “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report, available at www.20percentwind.org, for distributed wind as part of a diverse clean energy portfolio.

Full Press Release

USER INSTRUCTIONS AND TIPS

USER GUIDE

PROJECT BACKGROUND

NEWS AND PRESS ABOUT THE PROJECT

DISTRIBUTED WIND POLICY COMPARISON TOOL GUIDEBOOK

The Guidebook is also available through the U.S. Department of Energy Wind and Water Power Program online library.

Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool Mailing List

admin — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:30:16 +0000

Improving Methods for Estimating Fatality of Birds and Bats at Wind Energy Facilities

admin — Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:16:59 +0000

The California Energy Commission awarded a Public Interest Energy Research grant to the California Wind Energy Association (CalWEA) to evaluate the procedures provided in the California Guidelines for Reducing Impacts to Birds and Bats from Wind Energy Development for estimating mortality of birds and bats associated with wind energy facilities. eFormative Options is partnering with CalWEA to manage the project.

The goal of the research was to improve the accuracy of methods for estimating the number of bird and bat fatalities by evaluating the effect of time-dependency on the probability of bird and bat scavenging and removal (carcass persistence) and detection by searchers (searcher proficiency).

Data collected from the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area from January 7 to April 30, 2011 were used to create traditional carcass persistence and searcher proficiency functions and new functions in which searcher proficiency and persistence are modeled as a function of time, ecological condition, and carcass age. This study is the first to document that searcher proficiency and carcass persistence are time-based processes, and offers lessons and implications for experimental designs and the field monitoring recommendations provided in the Guidelines.

The study also investigated the fatality estimation equation provided in the Guidelines, and three other equations from the literature used to adjust mortality observations for searcher proficiency and carcass persistence.

AWEA releases 2011 Small Wind Market Report

admin — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:36:27 +0000

The American Wind Energy Association released the 2011 Small Wind Market Report, which can be downloaded here. This year’s report was expanded from previous small wind annual reports by including exemplary case studies, programs, markets and business models.

To read highlights and more about eFormative Option’s role in the project, click here.

Two More Turbine Models Receive SWCC Conditional Temporary Certification

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:31:16 +0000

Two more turbines pursuing certification through the SWCC have beengranted Conditional Temporary Certifications: the Kingspan Renewables KW6 and the Gaia Wind GW 133 – 11 kW. Conditional Temporary Certification indicates that SWCC has granted a time-limitedcertification with labels, certificates, and summary reports pending for a
small wind turbine that has been tested and analyzed according to theIEC 61400 series of Standards or the BWEA Standard (certain requirements of the AWEA Standard have not yet been met).

Currently, five SWCC Pending Applicants, listed on the SWCC website, have achieved Conditional Temporary Certification status. Twenty-nine turbines are on the SWCC applicant list, two of which have received full certification: the Bergey Excel 10 and the Skystream 3.7.

Accreditation by A2LA Allows International Recognition of SWCC Ratings

admin — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 14:01:38 +0000

The Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) has obtained ISO Guide 65 accreditation from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) to certify small wind turbines to AWEA Standard 9.1-2009.

Accreditation to ISO Guide 65 ensures the universal recognition of SWCC turbine certifications worldwide, while ensuring that certification activities are conducted impartially, systematically and in a uniform manner. Guide 65 ensures that the resulting product certifications are consistent with international standards and based on objective testing.

A2LA’s accreditation of SWCC in accordance with the recognized International Standard ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996, General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems, ”demonstrates technical competence for a defined scope and the operation of a quality management system,” according to A2LA President & CEO Peter Unger.

SWCC’s accreditation certificate number 3299.01, valid through June 30, 2014, and accreditation scope are available athttp://www.a2la.org/scopepdf/3299-01.pdf.

Our Relationships

admin — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:45:39 +0000

CLIENTS

Current and Recent Clients

American Wind Energy Association
California Wind Energy Association
Canadian Wind Energy Association
Clean Energy States Alliance
Greenway Renewables
Resourceful Kansas
Small Wind Certification Council
21 Acres
US Department of Energy – Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Washington Local Energy Alliance

Past Clients

Bullitt Foundation *
California Energy Commission
Chinook Wind, LLC *
Coastal Community Action Program
Coyote Energy, Inc.
Energy Foundation *
Energy Trust of Oregon
Entegrity Wind Systems
Global Energy Concepts *
Golden State Power Cooperative *
Horizon Wind Energy *
Idaho Energy Division *
Interstate Renewable Energy Council
John C. Radovich Development Company
New York State Research & Development Authority
Northwest Cooperative Development Center *
Northwest SEED
Pembina Institute
Renewable Northwest Project *
Southwest Windpower
Union of Concerned Scientists *
U.S. Department of Agriculture *
Windustry

PARTNERS & MEMBERSHIPS

Memberships
American Solar Energy Society
American Wind Energy Association
Canadian Wind Energy Association
NW Energy Coalition
Solar Washington

* Clients, funders, partners and service providers who have worked with eFormative Options’ founder and principal consultant, Heather Rhoads-Weaver, prior to launch of firm in 2005.