Falmouth Wind Turbines Only Option Now " Removal"

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has to remove both these poorly placed commercial wind turbines and repay the Town of Falmouth and the federal government for the ARRA money. The MassCEC used millions from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

Town of Falmouth, Massachusetts Falmouth Renewable Energy Facilities

FALMOUTH RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES MITIGATION STRATEGIES
ES ‐ 1

Weston & Sampson

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

At the request of the Town of Falmouth, Weston & Sampson has evaluated the cost of several options associated with operation of the Town‐owned wind turbines.

The options included dismantling one or both wind turbines, relocation of one or both wind turbines and the cost and revenue impact of curtailing operations to minimize sound, shadow flicker and ice throw.

Dismantling both of the wind turbines would cost the Town on the order of $14.69 million dollars. This is based on the $9,857,000 in principal debt incurred to build the projects; $2,983,000 in interest; $838,000 in construction cost to dismantle the turbines, and repayment of approximately $1,010,000 to repay an advance REC payment made to the Town by the MassCEC. These costs assume no revenue generated from operation of the wind turbines.

Relocating each wind turbine to an alternate location would cost approximately $2.0 million per turbine or $4.0 million dollars. This is based on the cost for dismantling, installation of new foundations, and reassembly and commissioning at the alternate location. Major components which could be reused are the wind turbine generators themselves, and potentially electrical components such as switches, transformers, metering and similar hardware.
The cost for installation in alternate locations assumes that they are Town‐owned land, without any additional cost for use of the land, and with interconnection and permitting certainty.

The resale value of the turbines to a third party, without a manufacturer warranty, is estimated to be on the order of $300,000 each for a total of $600,000, excluding dismantling and shipping costs. The salvage value for the steel and copper is estimated at $102,000 and the miscellaneous components, if there were a buyer for use as spare parts, is valued at $80,000, for a total estimated salvage value of $182,000, also excluding dismantling, material preparation and transportation costs. When considering dismantling, material preparation and transportation costs, the salvage value is near zero

http://www.falmouthmass.us/selectmen/falmouth%20turbine%20mitigation%20s...

Falmouth Knew About Wind Turbine Noise Prior To Construction

August 3, 2010
Mr. Gerald Potamis
WasteWater Superintendent
Town of Falmouth Public Works
59 Town Hall Square
Falmouth, MA 02540

RE: Falmouth WWTF Wind Energy Facility II “Wind II”, Falmouth, MA
Contract No. #3297

Dear Mr. Potamis,

Due to the sound concerns regarding the first wind turbine installed at the wastewater treatment facility, the manufacturer of the turbines, Vestas, is keen for the Town of Falmouth to understand the possible noise and other risks associated with the installation of the second wind turbine.

The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances. These measurements are based on IEC standards for sound measurement which is calculated at a height of 10m above of the base of the turbine.

We understand that a sound study is being performed to determine what, if any, Impacts the second turbine will have to the nearest residences. Please be advised that should noise concerns arise with this turbine, the only option to mitigate normal operating sound from the V82 is to shut down the machine at certain wind speeds and directions. Naturally this would detrimentally affect power production.

The manufacturer also needs confirmation that the Town of Falmouth understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors.

Finally, the manufacturer has raised the possibility of ice throw concerns. Since Route 28 is relatively close to the turbine, precautions should be taken in weather that may cause icing.

To date on this project we have been unable to move forward with signing the contract with Vestas. The inability to release the turbine for shipment to the project site has caused significant [SIC] delays in our project schedule. In order to move forward the manufacturer requires your understanding and acknowledgement of these risks. We kindly request for this acknowledgement to be sent to us by August 4, 2010, as we have scheduled a coordination meeting with Vestas to discuss the project schedule and steps forward for completion of the project.

Please sign in the space provided below to indicate your understanding and acknowledgement of this letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.


Sincerely,

(Bruce Mabbott’s signature)
_____________________
Bruce Mabbott Gerald Potamis
Project Manager Town of Falmouth


CC: Sumul Shah, Lumus Construction, Inc.
(Town of Falmouth’s Wind-1 and Wind-2 Construction contractor)

Stephen Wiehe, Weston & Sampson
(Town of Falmouth’s contract engineers)

Brian Hopkins, Vestas
(Wind-1, Wind-2’s turbine manufacturer, and also Webb/NOTUS turbine)

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.VRKmG_nF9-cS