The purpose of this activity is to deliver to the client considering a RETS deployment, additional relevant information to facilitate making an intelligent "go-no-go" decision. The study can be completed typically within an hour of visiting the potential site, provided the necessary data can be collected or obtained. A feasibility study typically includes four main areas of focus:

1. site survey
2. technology feasibility
3. economic feasibility
4. environmental impact

1. Site Survey

The raw site data obtained from the site survey is analyzed to determine the optimal placement of the wind energy and/or solar energy front-end components on the site. Using environmental data collected, approximate wind energy is determined at a variety of heights above the earth, taking into account the variety of attributes which can impact the availability of wind energy such as natural or man-made structures, topology and desired location of the tower. For solar energy, analyzing the shadow patterns to determine the solar energy potential of the desired location for the solar array, and the solar energy potential at the most optimum location for the array.

Once the location(s) of the front-end component(s) is determined, a visual determination and assessment of area of the proposed turbine tower(s) and/or solar array(s), their distance from the energy distribution components (BOS), and a cursory assessment of obstructions (removal of tree roots, rocks, cement) and soil condition assessment (rocky, sandy, clay, packed earth, wet), and battery array (if included) placement and construction issues if necessary are conducted. If it is determined that the site possesses a desireable renewable energy generation potential, a technology feasibility is conducted. At the conclusion of the site survey, the following will become known variables input to create an initial estimation of the potential RETS configuration for deployment.

1. location of the tower,
2. type & height of the tower,
3. length of wire run (the distance between the tower and the BOS components),
4. type of soil conditions which will highlight potential difficulties with excavation of the tower and trenches, and foundation construction,
5. BOS location,
6. other potential site "challenges" which may impact the budget or schedule.

2. Technology Feasibility Study

If the site feasibility study indicates that the site is positioned for viable renewable energy potential, using generally accepted energy consumption values as determined by the Ministry of Natural Resources of 12,000 KWh/year per Canadian household as a base-line, a potential technical architecture of a RETS is modeled, tempered with knowledge of peak power consumption values (differs at every site). If the site experiences a dramatically different consumption, then an energy consumption profile analysis is conducted based the data collected previously by the client [1], and key attributes such as peak energy consumption, and general energy consumption profile, and opportunities for energy conservation are determined. The SWC has a number of configurations pre-determined that will service from 25% to 100% of the renewable energy needs, all of which are scalable to address not only individual residential deployments, but rural and small business applications as well.

3. Economic Feasibility Study

Modelling two or three possible configurations of a RETS deployment will produce a number of financial models to determine economic viability and feasibility for a given RETS deployment. Financial attributes such as simple payback approach and net present value will be modeled per configuration considered.

4. Environmental Impact

The data created by the models will offer the client some additional considerations such as the volume of green house gases avoided through a RETS solution, or the amount of reduction of gases contributing to acid rain, and the reduction of nuclear waste production as a result of a RETS deployment. Although these figures do not benefit the economic bottom-line of the individual considering a RETS deployment, the fact that the potential RETS deployment will help in the reduction of damage to our environment as a result of human activity.

Footnotes

1. It is recommended that the client conduct a self-analysis of the energy consumption of the location, and to make this data available to SWC during the study in order to facilitate the study. SWC has for your convenience energy consumption tables and AC & DC load calculation tables for download. Click Energy Consumption Tables and/or AC Load Estimation Tables or DC Load Estimation Tables to download or to view.

References

1. Natural Resources Canada. "1997 Survey of Household Energy Use". Office of Energy Efficiency.