Peter Island Wind Turbine Project

Wind Turbines LIVE!! First in the Virgin Islands!

Status Update - Island Wind Turbines

As of this post, the foundations have been excavated and reinforcing steel placed.  After inspections, concrete can be poured.  Though we have no confirmed date for the arrival of the wind turbines, the foundations will be ready end of January. 

Updated photos!

On Island Time - Wind Turbines

As 2009 closed, there were mixed emotions regarding the wind turbine project.  We had been advised by the BVI Planning Authority the project was approved verbally, but not in writing.  Based on this notification, URS proceeded and completed the structural foundation design.  Through design reviews, by the team members (URS, WES and Wolverine), several important details were discovered and coordinated.  Some of the details came as a costly surprise to the Owner because of the late discovery.

Site requirements for manufacturer supplied control equipment, hoisting equipment and blade tethering were slightly off.  It also came as a surprise that the manufacturer had no lighting supression criteria to provide us although a lug at the base and rod type provision was provided near the top of the tower.

The good news is we received the letter in January that our wind turbine project has been approved.   Perfect timing.  More good news is the wind turbines will be arriving February 1, 2010.  They require a two-week installation.  And, if all goes well,..look forward to two shiny new wind turbines on Peter Island late February 2010. 

One month delay, not bad for "island time."

Wind Turbine Aesthetics

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." - Margaret Wolfe Hungerford

In discussions with the planning agency regarding the wind turbine project, questions have been raised regarding the impact of adjacent properties, general aesthetics, and long-term impacts of the installation. Two 100ft, steel towers with rotating blades is quite a contrast to the otherwise idyllic, natural Caribbean landscape.   

Peter Island is making an effort to curb the negative visual effects of this odd juxtaposition by careful site selection.  Tim Currey, RA, NCARB, Program Director of the Peter Island Wind Project comments, "As an architect, I am always concerned with aesthetics.  And, as part of our site evaluation process, we made the best decision possible balancing the high-wind zones and general aesthetics.  We did not want to detract from the high-end resort atmosphere or the overall Caribbean landscape."  The wind turbines will be located on the far south end of the island only visible to a Peter Island Resort utility building and the salty sailor passing by.

Most wind turbines today are engineered techie in appearance and the aesthetics issue could be a concern across other jurisdictions with restrictive building codes.  But, the promise of clean energy coupled with higher output efficiencies than the, also not very attractive acres of solar PV, should make wind turbines more attractive.  The public mindset, hopefully, will evolve to view wind turbines as progressive, kinetic, sculptural art benefiting Mother Earth.

"Green" through Red Tape - Part I

With Peter Island Wind Project being a first of its kind in the BVIs, a specific "wind turbine" standard review or approval process has yet to be created or identified.  The BVI government's planning agency has been informed of the development project over the past two years through periodic island project update sessions.  We have made communication a top priority and have encouraged as much collaboration as possible for our projects. 

The planning application process requires submitting preliminary plans, an environmental screening form and a standard application form.  From the screen form, the agency develops a "Terms of Reference" (TOR) document which establishes the issues to be addressed in the "Environmental Assessment" (EIA).  The agency reviews the EIA and responds with additional information requests for clarification of issues or data presented.  The EIA is reviewed by several government agencies.  Then, everything gets submitted to the Land Development Control Board of BVI for final decision.  Once planning approval is received, the construction plans can be submitted to the Building Authority for permits.

The Peter Island Wind Project plans were submitted June 2009.  The project team is waiting for the TOR document.

Wind Turbine Proposed Schedule

Here is our proposed schedule of the Peter Island Wind Turbine Project.  We are confident we will make our target installation dates.

Kick-off Meeting:  May 1, 2009
Phase One - Site Analysis:    May 4 - 30, 2009
Phase Two - Site Engineering:  May 4 - 30, 2009
Phase Three - Pre-construction:  June 1 - 24, 2009
Phase Four - Construction Turbine production:  January, 19, 2010
Phase Five - Commissioning:  January 20-29, 2010

The most critical factor in the actual schedule will be the manufacturing and shipping of the wind turbines.  It appears the current factory commitments will allow the equipment to be delivered as originally proposed with less production time required.  Other schedule components will be modified to respond to the wind turbine critical path.

Currently, governmental review/approval and site engineering are the primary components of team effort.  This is a hybrid of Phases Two and Three.  Next important milestones are completion of EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)(mid-August) and Site Engineering (end of August).  It is hoped the Planning process will be completed by the end of September.

Stoney Bay Service Center

Project Profile

• 7,700 SF
• Reinforced concrete construction
• Hurricane-resistant design to Cat 3
• Solar voltaic cells on roof equivalent to design lighting loads
• Storm water capture system with cistern storage for 50k gal of water

Peter Island's current power grid

• Peak power needs approx.  = 850 kW
• (4) 750 kW diesel generators
• (2) generators online with one available in "standby" mode.  Fourth generator is normally in "maintenance mode."

After Stoney Bay completion - New power grid setup

• Peak power needs approx. = 850 kW
• (3) 550 kW diesel generators
• (2) online servicing peak loads with third offline until rotation.

It has been determined future energy needs of the island, based on anticipated expansion plans, will not increase to the point of requiring additional equipment or a different approach to generator use.  As new, more efficient equipment is installed, more energy conservation measures are expected.  This position assumes the addition of approximately 550 kW of electrical power being available to the grid from two (2) wind turbines.

The new service center will provide test areas for new, alternative energy technologies prior to use in other installations on Peter Island.

URS + Peter Island Resort = Caribbean Sustainability

When you combine the resources of the #2 "Green Design", architectural/engineering firm, according to ENR 2009, with a small Caribbean resort - you get:

Caribbean Sustainability.  Design Leadership.

In 2007 , URS was commissioned by Peter Island Resort to conduct a Sustainability Study of its site and facilities.  The study provided an assessment of the entire resort operation identifying recommendations for moving forward towards 'triple zero' goals related energy, water and waste and included solar and wind alternative energy solutions.

Since the study, the resort has moved forward on two "green" initiatives.  The resort has started construction on Stoney Bay Power Plant located on the south side of the island to provide more efficient power equipment and new controls systems to coordinate with the proposed wind turbines as well as authorized the Peter Island Wind Project.

Click here for the URS Peter Island Resort Case Study. 

Guest experience has been a guiding parameter in all of these considerations.  Peter Island Resort is commited to maintaining and enhancing its position as a 5-star, boutique, "private island" experience even while advancing with new technologies and alternative energy projects.

Wind Turbine Project Team

It takes a village,...

URS Corporation is the Program Manager/Owner's Representative of the Peter Island Wind Turbine project, led by D. Timothy Currey, MA, NCARB, Director of Special Projects, based out of Grand Rapids, MI. 

Kraus-Manning, Inc., is providing Construction Manager services, led by Tony Monaghan out of Tortola, BVI.  Mike DeKock of Wolverine Power Systems, Zeeland, MI, will lead the installation scheduled for January 2010.

Additional controls and design coordination with the new Stoney Bay Power Facility, Peter Island, BVI, will be handled by Tony Brown of Atlantic Controls.

Location,..Location,..Location!

So, how does one select a location for a wind turbine on a small, rocky Caribbean island? 

We had engineers and consultants conduct wind assessments to determine the maximum performance output locations for the proposed wind turbines.

We analyzed multiple factors before selecting our final spot on south end of the island facing East to capture to prevailing tradewinds.  Our consultants looked at wind quality, expected range of wind directions, soil conditions to support required structural loads, government regulations, storm survivability, as well as, visual aesthetics considering Peter Island is home to Peter Island Resort, a luxury, 5-star development.