The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced two new online tools to assist state and local policymakers, consumers, and stakeholders in evaluating siting and policy issues to help accelerate the use of distributed wind energy systems - such as wind turbines installed at homes and businesses. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy funded development of the “Distributed Wind Site Analysis Tool” and “Distributed Wind Policy Comparison Tool” through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants. The tools are designed to help more people across the country install wind turbines to produce clean, renewable energy.

Distributed wind energy systems are typically installed near the point of electricity use at residences, businesses, and community institutions such as schools and hospitals to help save energy, reduce energy bills, and cut carbon emissions. The two new online tools will lower barriers to distributed wind energy deployment, identified in DOE’s 2008 report, 20% Wind Energy by 2030. The report identifies site-specific factors such as zoning and permitting costs, interconnection fees, shipping, and other related costs as significant factors in the costs of distributed wind systems. Such costs can limit distributed system deployment even in wind-rich locations.

Read the full press release at http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/news/progress_alerts.cfm/pa_id=661.