[L11]_WIND FARM PROJECT PLANNING & CONSTRUCTION Flashcards
ENGY-688
True/False: The three phases of wind farm development are development, construction & commissioning, and operation.
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True
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ENGY-688
What is the typical average wind speed threshold for identifying a viable wind project site?
A. 5 m/s
B. 6 m/s
C. 7 m/s
D. 8 m/s
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C. 7 m/s
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ENGY-688
True/False: Between 1999 and 2006, the annual growth rate of wind megawatt capacity in the U.S. was approximately 17%.
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False
Explanation: The annual growth rate was about 30% between 1999 and 2006. The 17% growth rate is projected for the period through 2020.
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ENGY-688
Which of the following statements about Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) is NOT accurate?
A. RECs can be sold in both RPS and voluntary markets. B. The price of RECs in the voluntary market has been decreasing since 2002.
C. RECs are certified by entities like Green-E.
D. RECs can increase the value of electricity in RPS markets.
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B. The price of RECs in the voluntary market has been decreasing since 2002.
Explanation: The price of RECs has been increasing since 2002, from $0.25 to $3.00 by 2007.
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ENGY-688
Which of the following is NOT a consideration during the project siting phase?
A. Noise and shadow flicker
B. Proximity to fossil fuel resources
C. Aviation considerations
D. Land use constraints
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B. Proximity to fossil fuel resources
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ENGY-688
The three major components for high-level wind farm financial modeling are the revenue model, capital costs, and (fill in the blank).
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Recurring (operating) costs
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ENGY-688
A (fill in the blank) study examines environmental, regulatory, and compliance issues to assess project feasibility.
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Critical Issues
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ENGY-688
What is the typical width of access roads constructed for wind projects?
A. 8-12 ft
B. 16-20 ft
C. 24-28 ft
D. 30-34 ft
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B. 16-20 ft
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ENGY-688
True/False: Soil thermal resistivity testing is critical for determining the design of buried cable systems in wind farms.
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True
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ENGY-688
True/False: In wind farm development, the cost of the foundation, erection, and road access typically exceeds the cost of the turbine components.
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False
Explanation: The turbine components account for up to 75% of the Total Installed Cost (TIC), which is generally higher than the combined costs of foundation, erection, and road access.
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ENGY-688
Match the crane type with its primary use during turbine erection:
1. Main Crane
2. Auxiliary Crane
A. Used for lifting the nacelle, rotor, and tower sections.
B. Provides support during the assembly process.
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1 = A
2 = B
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ENGY-688
Identify and briefly discuss two major risks associated with wind farm development related to government regulations and technological factors.
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- Government Regulations Risk: Public utilities may reject new wind project developments even if viable, due to regulatory constraints or lack of supportive policies. Changes in incentives like tax credits or RPS can significantly impact project feasibility.
- Technological Risk: Rapid advancements may render current wind turbine technology obsolete during the long development cycle (3-5 years). Additionally, the grid system might be unable to support the new load without costly upgrades.
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ENGY-688
Which financing structure involves the developer taking on debt, as opposed to the wind company jointly owned by the developer and tax equity investor?
A. Strategic Tax Investor
B. Institutional Tax Investor
C. Back Leveraged
D. Cash Leveraged
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C. Back Leveraged
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ENGY-688
Who oversees the commissioning process on behalf of the project owner?
A. Turbine manufacturer
B. Contractor
C. Third-party independent expert
D. Local utility
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C. Third-party independent expert
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ENGY-688
To maximize energy production, wind farms aim for turbine availability rates exceeding (fill in the blank)%.
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97%
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