High yield wind energy resources in the mid-Hudson River Basin. Final report

The report describes the results of a wind resource assessment program in the mid-Hudson River Basin area that resulted in a year-long hourly record of wind speed and direction data at two tower levels and four sites. Three of these sites are typical of the exposed hilly terrain characteristic of the Catskill Region. The average annual wind speed for the period of this study was 12.6 to 15.4 miles per hour at the 100-foot tower level. The performance of wind systems ranging in capacity from 55 to 7200 kW was evaluated using the hourly wind data and manufacturer-supplied power curves. Total energy production and cost estimates for these wind systems were then used to calculate levelized cost of energy and internal rate of return calculations for the wind systems evaluated. The internal rate of return with and without the 15 percent Federal energy investment tax credit and five-year accelerated depreciation was calculated using a discounted cash-flow method. In the best wind resource case available, the average internal rates of return on investment with and without the energy investment tax credit and depreciation schedule were 21 percent and 12 percent, respectively.