Radar 2009

A Case Study on Compromise:“Wind Turbines and Radar at Wallops Flight Facility” Philip Smith MSEE, CEMNASA Wallops Flight FacilityFacilities Management BranchPrepared for:Radar /Wind Webinar10 September 2009: 

A Case Study on Compromise: “Wind Turbines and Radar at Wallops Flight Facility” Philip Smith MSEE, CEM NASA Wallops Flight Facility Facilities Management Branch Prepared for: Radar /Wind Webinar 10 September 2009 National Aeronautics and Space Administration WALLOPS FLIGHT FACILITY

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1 Where is Wallops?

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2 Where is Wallops?

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3 Where is Wallops?

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4 What is Wallops? -NASA field site under Goddard Space Flight Center -Historically has specialized in sub-orbital research -sounding rockets -ultra long duration weather balloons -Operates unique research airfield -Emerging as rapid-response, low-cost option to orbit -Only NASA-owned launch range -Preparing to support COTS program for space station resupply -Hosts to a variety of tenants -US NAVY shipboard training facilities -NOAA

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5 Background for Wallops Wind Project - 2005 JMU feasibility study -wind resource assessment -recommended turbine size (1.5MW) -calculated project economics -evaluated interconnection …and identified **potential radar and environmental issues**

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6 Considering the Mission -Research Airfield -Science Radar -NAVY Radar -Launch Range (Tracking) Radar

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7 First try at negotiating radar impacts -Wallops Frequency Manager initiated a review of proposed locations -Asked for comments from all stakeholders -Responses varied -Responses changed -No response was definitive

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8 Second try at negotiating radar impacts -Environmental Assessment drove micrositing exercise -Primarily focused on radar impacts -Team led by WFF Director -Team made up of NAVY Commander, Frequency Manager, and various radar stakeholders -Supported by DOE/Idaho National Labs -Utilized GIS to map radar sectors and to rule out areas of potential interference

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9 An Illustration of the Siting Exercise

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10 An Illustration of the Siting Exercise

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11 An Illustration of the Siting Exercise

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12 An Illustration of the Siting Exercise

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13 An Illustration of the Siting Exercise

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14 Avoiding Conflicts with Wallops’ Mission

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15 Exploded view of the site

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16 Final Site plan for 2 Wind Turbines

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17 Lessons Learned (So Far) Get a high-ranking “champion” behind the project early on Get a technical expert involved to understand mitigation opportunities The case is never closed Wind projects take a long time to develop which provides plenty of time for complaints Get agreements between agencies in writing Keep project in context Questions? Philip.H.Smith@nasa.gov 757-824-1363