For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AGGREGATED PROJECT. Those projects that are developed and operated in a coordinated fashion, but which have multiple entities separately owning one or more of the individual CWECS within a larger project. Associated infrastructure such as power lines and transformers that service the facility may be owned by a separate entity but are also included as part of the AGGREGATED PROJECT.
COMMERCIAL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (CWECS). A wind energy conversion system under common or aggregated ownership or operating control that includes substations, MET towers, cables/wires, and other building accessories, whose main purpose is to supply electricity to off-site customers.
FALL ZONE. The area, defined as the furthest distance from the tower base, in which a tower will collapse in the event of a structural failure.
FEEDER LINE. Any power line that carries electrical power from one or more wind turbines or individual transformers associated with individual wind turbines to the point of interconnection with the electric power grid, in the case of interconnection with the high voltage transmission systems the point of the interconnection shall be the substation serving the CWECS.
HEIGHT; TOTAL SYSTEM. The height above grade of the system, including the generating unit and the highest vertical extension of any blades or rotors.
HEIGHT; TOWER. The height above grade of the fixed portion of the tower, excluding the generation unit and attached blades and rotors.
METEOROLOGICAL TOWER. Those which are erected primarily to measure wind speed and direction plus other data relevant to locating a CWECS. METEOROLOGICAL TOWERS do not include towers and equipment used by airports, the State Department of Transportation or other similar applications to monitor weather conditions.
SHADOW FLICKER. Strobe effect that occurs when sun is horizontal to rotor blades, which causes repetitive intermittent shadows that can affect people on near by properties.
SMALL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (SWECS). A wind energy conversion system which has a rated capacity of up to 100 kilowatts and which is incidental and subordinate to another use on the same parcel. A system is considered a small wind energy system only if it supplies electrical power for on site use, except that when a parcel on which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company, excess electrical power generated and not presently needed for on site use may be sold back to the utility company. (LB 436 limits SWECS to 25 kilowatts or less scheduled to be reviewed next session.)
TOWER. The vertical component of a wind energy conversion system that elevates the wind turbine generator and attached blades above the ground.
WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEM (WECS). An aggregation of parts including the base, tower, generator, rotor, blades, supports, and configuration as necessary to convert the power of wind into mechanical or electrical energy, such as, wind charger, windmill or wind turbine.
WIND TURBINE GENERATOR. The component of a wind energy system that transforms mechanical energy from the wind into electrical energy.
(Ord. passed 8- -2010)