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An Evaluation of Wind Turbine Technology at Peterson AFB Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT Scholar Theses and Dissertations Student Graduate Works 3-2005 An Evaluation of Wind Turbine Technology at Peterson AFB Randy C. Combs Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.afit.edu/etd Part of the Environmental Engineering Commons, and the Power and Energy Commons Recommended Citation Combs, Randy C., "An Evaluation of Wind Turbine Technology at Peterson AFB" (2005). Theses and Dissertations. 3786. https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/3786 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Graduate Works at AFIT Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AFIT Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN EVALUATION OF WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY AT PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE THESIS Randy C. Combs, Captain, USAF AFIT/GCA/ENV/05M-02 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. AFIT/GCA/ENV/05M-02 AN EVALUATION OF WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY AT PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE THESIS Presented to the Faculty Department of Systems and Engineering Management Graduate School of Engineering and Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air Education and Training Command In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Cost Analysis Randy C. Combs, BS Captain, USAF March 2005 APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED. AFIT/GCA/ENV/05M-02 AN EVALUATION OF WIND TURBINE TECHNOLOGY AT PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE Randy C. Combs, BS Captain, USAF Approved: /signed/ ____________ Curtis G. Tenney, Lt Col, USAF, Ph.D. (Advisor) date /signed/ ____________ Ellen C. England, Lt Col, USAF, Ph.D. (Reader) date /signed/ ____________ Michael A. Greiner, Maj, USAF, Ph.D. (Reader) date AFIT/GCA/ENV/05M-02 Abstract Wind energy and other renewable energy sources have been around since the dawn of time. But our culture has only recently begun to realize the vast benefits possible from using wind energy for electricity generation. Wind energy technology is a viable source for attaining the emission reduction and renewable energy use goals set forth by the executive office. In accordance with Executive Orders, the Air Force must reduce greenhouse emissions and energy consumption, and expand the use of renewable energy sources within its facilities nation-wide by year 2010. This mandate requires that the Air Force look at alternative electrical production and rely more on such renewable energy resources as wind power. The specific problem addressed by this research is whether on-site wind energy generation can be more economically and environmentally feasible than the conventional energy consumption at Peterson AFB. The hypothesis of this research is that wind energy will not be economically effective as an energy alternative without the inclusion of quantified environmental benefits. The life cycle cost comparisons derived from generating on-site wind energy proved not to be strictly economically feasible for Peterson AFB when compared to fossil fuel generated electricity. However, with the inclusion of the valuation of environmental benefits, it was determined that wind energy is a worthwhile project if the U.S. Air Force is willing to pay the extra costs for the global socioeconomic benefits. - iv - Acknowledgments I first want to thank God for the knowledge, ability, and perseverance that He gave me. I would like to thank my wife who provided support, perspective, and understanding during the time consuming thesis process. She supported me through many time consuming days and nights of hard work. I am forever indebted to her for her love and support. I am grateful to my thesis advisor, Lieutenant Colonel Curtis Tenney, whose insight and guidance throughout the research and writing process were invaluable. His exceptional insight into cost analysis and economic theory helped to open new paths and directions of my research. Finally, I would like to thank my readers and mentors, Lieutenant Colonel Ellen England and Major Mike Greiner for their behind the scenes contributions. Without their help, this study would never have been completed. I would especially like to thank Lieutenant Colonel Ellen England for taking me under her wing and educating me on the environmental engineering aspect of my thesis. Randy C. Combs - v - Table of Contents Page Abstract.............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgments............................................................................................................... v Table of Contents...............................................................................................................vi List of Figures.................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview.................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Background .............................................................................................................. 1 1.3 Problem Statement ................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Research Objective .................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Scope........................................................................................................................ 5 1.6 Approach/ Methodology .......................................................................................... 5 1.7 Significance.............................................................................................................. 6 1.8 Chapter Preview....................................................................................................... 6 2. Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Overview.................................................................................................................. 8 2.2 Renewable Energy ................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Wind......................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.1 Wind Energy ..................................................................................................... 10 2.3.2 Wind Power....................................................................................................... 13 2.3.3 Wind Turbines................................................................................................... 19 2.3.3.1 Horizontal-Axis.............................................................................................. 23 2.3.3.2 Vertical-Axis .................................................................................................. 24 2.3.4 Colorado Wind Energy...................................................................................... 27 2.4 Ponnequin Wind Farm ........................................................................................... 28 2.5 Environmental Impacts .......................................................................................... 29 2.5.1 Avian Issues ...................................................................................................... 29 2.5.2 Electromagnetic Interference ............................................................................ 30 2.5.3 Aesthetic Issues................................................................................................. 31 2.5.4 Noise Issues....................................................................................................... 31 2.5.5 Flora and Fauna Issues ...................................................................................... 32 2.5.6 Other Environmental Issues .............................................................................. 33 2.6 Environmental Benefits.......................................................................................... 33 2.7 Environmental Costs .............................................................................................. 37 2.8 Economic Benefits ................................................................................................. 39 2.9 Executive Orders.................................................................................................... 39 2.10 Cost ...................................................................................................................... 41 2.11 Financial Support ................................................................................................. 46 2.12 Life Cycle Methodologies.................................................................................... 47 2.12.1 Simple
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