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While there are other possible research topics that could benefit from additional study, these two topics represent those most suggested by stakeholders during the RESP process.
6.3 Considerations for Future Management from the RESP Process The goal of the RESP was not to promote renewable energy or to determine the best spots
in the state to site renewable energy projects. Rather, in light of Rhode Island’s Renewable Energy Standard mandate to obtain 16 of the state’s electricity from renewable sources by
2019, and the growing interest in renewable energy around the state, the RESP set out to collect
and synthesize information that would serve decision makers and other stakeholders as they make siting and permitting decisions in their own communities.
As municipalities move forward in designing permitting frameworks for wind energy projects and the state considers wind energy siting guidelines the analysis and tools produced
through the completion of the RESP reports and the creation of online siting tools at RIEnergy.org will serve as a valuable resource of information. Ultimately however, the
appropriate siting of land-based wind energy projects requires both sound science and also subjective judgment that a proposed project is in line with the goals and values of a municipality,
especially when setting limits on shadow flicker impacts, noise impacts, and safety setbacks. Because each city and town in Rhode Island may differ in characteristic e.g. ambient noise
levels, population densities, etc. and values, the standards and review process for land-based wind energy development may vary by location. As a result, there is no one size fits all approach
to wind energy siting in Rhode Island. To aid in the municipal review process and the creation of state land-based wind siting
guidelines, the following sections provide a summary of the types of studies or analyses that municipalities may want to consider requiring of project applicants during the permitting
process, as well as a list of siting and mitigation options that could be useful in creating wind siting guidelines for the state.
6.3.1 Possible Studies or Analyses for Impact Assessment or Monitoring
Understanding the particular impacts of a project during the review process can be informed through a number of impact assessment studies. In addition, post-construction
monitoring can also be used to ensure predictions during the review process were accurate, or to determine if increased mitigation measures are necessary. Below is a list of pre-construction
assessments and post-construction monitoring studies that a municipality may want to consider when determining what information or data is required during the review and permitting process.
While the list below of studies is not exhaustive, and there may be additional studies a municipality may want to require of project developers depending on site specific conditions,
this list does represent studies frequently used to assess the effects of a project. Furthermore,
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whether or not the results of these studies and assessments are deemed acceptable by a municipality will depend on siting criteria established by each city or town.
PreconstructionPermitting Review
Wind Resource Assessment- Wind resource assessments are conducted to ensure that
there is sufficient wind resources at a proposed site to be profitable. Data collected should be collected at hub height and cover multiple seasons to account for seasonal
variation in wind speeds and direction. For municipalities interested in determining the wind resources avail
able in their city or town, URI’s SODAR unit will be available.
Shadow Flicker Analysis- Shadow flicker impacts can be modeled to determine how
many hours of flicker under the worst case scenario surrounding properties may experience.
Noise Study- Based on the specifications of the proposed turbine and ambient noise
levels at the proposed site, predictive models can be used to determine noise impacts to surrounding properties.
Environmental Assessment: Environmental assessments may be useful to characterize
the habitat and wildlife species present at a particular site. In particular, birds, bats, ground dwelling species, presence of ‘species of concern’ or critical habitat for these
species, wetlands, presence of plant communities of concern. While not all projects may require such an assessment, if wildlife or environmental impacts are a concern this may
provide valuable information during the siting and review process. Federally funded projects may require a formal environmental review under the National Environmental
Policy Act NEPA. State environmental permits may be necessary if proposed site may impact wetlands or the coastal zone.
Visual Assessment- Visual simulations using photographs taken by a trained technician
in clear conditions from several unobstructed publically accessible locations especially historic and scenic resources.
Consultation with the Rhode Island Historical Preservation Heritage Commission
required for projects with federal, state, or local funding or if state or federal permits are required
Federal Aviation Administration FAA Determination required if structure is over
200 ft
Interconnection- The Interconnection Review Process with National Grid will help
determine if a proposed site has the grid-related infrastructure necessary to support a proposed project.
Post Construction Monitoring
Establish a Registry for Positive and Negative Complaints- Noise - Noise measurements of the turbine operating at various times of day, during
different seasons and wind speeds and at various distances from the turbine may help ensure the noise produced by the turbines is within specified noise levels.
Shadow Flicker- While worst case scenarios of shadow flicker impacts can be modeled
prior to installation, it may be useful to monitor actual shadow flicker occurrence in order to determine if mitigation measures are necessary.
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Bird or Bat Mortality- In areas where bird or bat mortality is a concern, post
construction monitoring may be useful to gauge the severity of this impact. Paton et al. 2012 in Volume II of the RESP document provides greater detail on when monitoring
may be appropriate and what methodology can be used to most effectively assess a project’s impact to birds and bats.
6.3.2 Considerations for Wind Siting Guidelines
