WESTON in the News

October 2007

Assessing Potential Use of Wind Power at NJ Treatment Plant

The Integrated Air Services (IAS) team was recently awarded a wind resource assessment for the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority (BRSA). BRSA is considering constructing a 1.5-megawatt wind turbine power generator at its wastewater treatment plant site in Union Beach, NJ. The planned 120-ft diameter turbine blades will have a hub located 260 feet above ground. BRSA needs to understand the wind flow characteristics at the selected location in order to reduce the uncertainties of predicting wind turbine output and turbine reliability.

Beginning in November, our air services personnel will conduct an on-site assessment for one year to quantify the wind power resource at the site and determine if a turbine is practical. A Doppler SODAR remote sensing unit will measure winds at the height of the proposed turbine, and a collocated meteorological tower will provide surface-level meteorological data. The data will be quality assured and analyzed to support the subsequent feasibility study and turbine design.

Wind power provides clean, renewable electricity and is one of the lowest cost forms of renewable energy. Wind power is increasingly being considered by government, utilities, and industry as an environmentally responsible and economically sound method of meeting power needs.

Members of WESTON’s IAS team provide alternative energy solutions for our private and public sector clients. Click Integrated Air Services to learn more about WESTON’s sustainable solutions available within air and emissions testing.