ML103620036

Glwc Wind Atlas Workgroup Workplan, January 2010 - June 2011

ML103620036
Person / Time
Site:	Davis Besse
Issue date:	12/28/2010
From:	Great Lakes Wind Collaborative
To:	NRC/SECY
SECY RAS
Shared Package
ML103620034	List: ML103620035 ML103620036 ML103620037 ML103620038
References
License Renewal 2, RAS 19317, 50-346-LR
Download: ML103620036 (2)

Text

GLWC Wind Atlas Workgroup Workplan January 2010 - June 2011 1

Vision:

The Great Lakes Wind Collaborative will develop a GIS-based tool to facilitate timely and environmentally sensitive development of wind power facilities in the Great Lakes Region.

Purpose:

With appropriate GIS information, developers can locate areas that would provide good development opportunities while avoiding areas that are environmentally sensitive or otherwise less receptive to development (e.g. urban areas, local zoning restrictions, etc.). Resource agencies can identify environmentally sensitive areas that would be under pressure for development. Additionally, the atlas would provide a basis for all stakeholders work towards developing environmentally sustainable wind facilities. The intent of the Atlas would be to identify general areas that are relatively favorable or unfavorable for wind development. It would not be intended to substitute for actual on-site reviews to determine final suitability.

Objectives:

The atlas will be as comprehensive as possible, providing information currently used by industry including but not limited to: wind speeds, wind energy, transmission capabilities, demand areas, local zoning, public lands, water depths; and environmental features including but not limited to: migration corridors, wildlife areas, breeding and spawning areas, and important viewsheds to serve the needs of the Great Lakes Wind Collaborative and its workgroups.

The atlas will have two components: land-based and off-shore.

The atlas will be available to all on the Internet while noting some data layers that are sensitive in nature may be restricted as warranted.

Members of the Wind Atlas Workgroup will continue to refine and update the initial products to increase both additional data layers and more precise data to improve both their usefulness and accuracy.

Tasks:

I. Obtain through a data sharing agreement and publish datalayers related to the electric system (e.g.,

transmission lines, substations and power plants)

II. Develop and submit a proposal for GLRI funding to digitize existing bird and bat data and publish/disseminate new and existing bird and bat data through the online GL Wind Atlas.

III. Obtain and publish Important Birding Areas datalayer(s)

IV. Conduct a joint webinar with the Offshore Workgroup on the Lakebed Alternation Decision Support Tool. Explore possible partnerships with GLWC to expand the tool.

V. Conduct a webinar on TNC GIS project related to wind siting and location of sensitive species.

VI. Seek funding to improve, update and maintain the online GL Wind Atlas:

a. Identify potential funders and partners.

b. Develop update the DOE project proposal to add decision support tools to the online Great Lakes Wind Atlas.

VII. Host a webinar to all GLWC members demonstrating the online GL Wind Atlas.

a. Develop and post instructions for using the online GL Wind Atlas in advance of the webinar

GLWC Wind Atlas Workgroup Workplan January 2010 - June 2011 2

VIII. Conduct a short survey to GLWC members on the usefulness of the online GL Wind Atlas and suggestions for improvements.

IX. Identify new data layers to publish online Approach:

Through project scoping and work plan development, the Wind Atlas Workgroup will identify - subject to review and concurrence by the GLWC Advisory Committee at-large - key parameters for this tool, including its overall purpose, objectives, and key components, and key considerations, such as the overall approach, time frame for development, who will house/maintain the tool and funding. The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) staff will work with the Wind Atlas Workgroup to carry out the actions and deliverables identified in the work plan.

Tasks Responsible Parties Timeline Qtr 1

Qtr 2

Qtr 3

Qtr 4

Qtr 5

Qtr 6

1.

Obtain through a data sharing agreement and publish datalayers related to the electric system (e.g.,

transmission lines, substations and power plants)

GLC Staff in partnership with Platts or Ventex X

2.

Develop and submit a proposal for GLRI funding to digitize existing bird and bat data and publish/disseminate new and existing bird and bat data through the online GL Wind Atlas.

GLC Staff/Workgroup members X

X1

3.

Obtain and publish Important Birding Areas datalayer(s)

GLC Staff in partnership with OMNR and USFWS X

4.

Conduct a joint webinar with the Offshore Workgroup on the Lakebed Alternation Decision Support Tool.

Explore possible partnerships with GLWC to expand the tool.

GLC Staff/ Jason Breck, UM and Ed Rutherford, NOAA GLERL X

X

5.

Conduct a webinar on TNC GIS project related to wind siting and location of sensitive species.

GLC Staff/Jan Slotts, TNC X2 X

6.

Seek funding to improve the online GL Wind Atlas:

Identify potential funders and partners.

Develop update the DOE project proposal to add decision support tools to the online Great Lakes Wind Atlas.

GLC Staff and potential partner X

X

7.

Host a webinar to all GLWC members demonstrating the online GL Wind Atlas.

Workgroup members with support of GLC staff X

X X

8.

Conduct a short survey to GLWC members on the usefulness of the online GL Wind Atlas and suggestions for improvements.

GLC staff/Workgroup members X

X

9.

Identify new data layers to publish online Workgroup members X

X X

X X

X GLC Personnel:

Becky Pearson, Senior Project Specialist Guan Wang, GIS Programmer 1 Pending the release of the FWS RFP or the 2nd EPA RFP to implement the GLRI.

2 Pending on the public release of the TNC GIS product.