Testimony of Tom Wind, Wind Energy Consulting, PC, Jamaica, Iowa
Testimony of Tom Wind, Wind Energy Consulting, PC, Jamaica, Iowa
Testimony of Tom Wind, Wind Energy Consulting, PC, Jamaica, Iowa
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Q. Is there any evidence that MidAmerican’s calculations represent an underestimate<br />
<strong>of</strong> their true avoided cost.<br />
A. Yes. Exhibit 1 is a map showing community wind turbine projects in <strong>Iowa</strong>. For the<br />
purposes <strong>of</strong> this testimony, I define community wind projects as turbines with a 100 kW<br />
rating or higher that are owned by an entity other than MidAmerican or Alliant <strong>Energy</strong>.<br />
The black dots on the map essentially show all wind turbines larger than 100 kW that are<br />
not part <strong>of</strong> a large wind farm. The black dots with the circles show the community wind<br />
projects that exist because <strong>of</strong> PURPA-based Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). There<br />
are 51 wind turbine projects that exist today in <strong>Iowa</strong> because <strong>of</strong> PURPA-based PPAs.<br />
These 51 projects have a total nameplate capacity <strong>of</strong> about 88 MW. I have provided<br />
some level <strong>of</strong> consulting or development services for all but 7 <strong>of</strong> these 51 community<br />
wind projects.<br />
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Q. Are any <strong>of</strong> these PURPA-based wind projects in MidAmerican’s service territory?<br />
A. Based on my extensive knowledge <strong>of</strong> community wind projects in <strong>Iowa</strong>, I am not aware<br />
<strong>of</strong> any community wind project selling all <strong>of</strong> their power to MidAmerican on a wholesale<br />
basis.<br />
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Q. Why do you think there are no PURPA-based wind projects in MidAmerican’s<br />
service territory?<br />
A. The rates <strong>of</strong>fered to Qualifying Facilities (QFs) have been far too low to be “sufficient to<br />
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encourage cogeneration and small power production”. 1<br />
Typically the rates <strong>of</strong>fered have<br />
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been about 2¢ per kWh for wind generation. This rate is well below the cost that<br />
1 18 CFR 292.304 (b)(3)<br />
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