Establishing Distributed Wind Capacity in Virginia
Channel: JMU ISAT
Date: 2017-07-02

Full Title: Establishing Distributed Wind Capacity in Virginia by Nicholas Cooper, Julie Gentry, Patrick Landess, and Emma Laurens
Advised by: Dr. Jonathan Miles
Sponsors: Ms. Remy Pangle and Mr. Phil Sturm, Center for Wind Energy at JMU
Abstract: The 2014 Virginia Energy Plan set the goal of 25% for power generated in-state to be derived from renewable resources by 2025. Wind energy is one of the most abundant renewable energy resources in the state. The Virginia Department of Mines Minerals and Energy seeks to incentivize both small-scale and commercial renewable energy projects. In light of government incentives, reduced costs, and technological advancements, the Center for Wind Energy (CWE) at James Madison University established the Distributed Wind Assistance Program (DWAP) in 2015 which engages teams of faculty and undergraduate students and, to date, has identified four project sites through a rigorous application and scoring process. The potential sites that our group has analyzed in detail include Bradford Bay Farms, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation facility at Port Isobel, Fancy Gap Elementary School, and the Prince William County Landfill. Specifically, our team provided technical support and conducted financial analyses; engaged in stakeholder engagement; and analyzed existing wind data, all to further advance distributed wind projects at these sites and to support wind development in Virginia.