Meeting on Road Mapping U.S. Large Wind Turbine Permitting to International Standards

The National Wind Technology Center is holding a meeting to get input on road mapping U.S. national large wind turbine permitting requirements to International (IEC) Standards.  Here you will find information about the meeting, how to register, and travel and event logistics.

Almost all utility-scale wind turbines available on the market today must meet international testing, certification, and manufacturing requirements.  Wind turbines sold in the U.S. must also meet the needs of a variety of interested parties, from financial institutions to insurance providers to local building and electrical code officials.  As offshore wind plants are developed on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), they will also have to meet national requirements set by the U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Services (MMS).

To help those interested parties—as well as the suppliers of wind turbines and their components—navigate their way through local, national, and international quality assurance programs, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and AWEA's Standards Coordinating Committee (SCC) will work with wind industry experts to develop national guidelines. These guidelines will capitalize on existing IEC Standards to avoid creating new standards and will help facilitate compliance verification activities by local inspectors and project developers attempting to permit land-based or offshore wind turbines.

Although NREL and AWEA hope that a broad representation from all the invested stakeholders will attend this initial meeting, only technically qualified persons will be encouraged to assist in developing the large turbine certification guidelines. The development of the guidelines, which may eventually become AWEA standards, is expected to take a year or more and will entail the review of multiple drafts of a guidelines document.

Draft Agenda (PDF 88 KB)

Registration

All attendants must register for the meeting by September 1, 2009. Registration Form (PDF 94 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Event Location

Omni Interlocken Resort
500 Interlocken Boulevard
Broomfield, CO 80021
Phone: 303-438-6600

Contacts

If you have questions about the workshop or logistics, please contact:
Corrie Christol
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Wind Technology Center
1617 Cole Boulevard, MS 3811
Golden, Colorado 80401-3393
Phone: (303) 384-7110
Fax: (303) 384-6999
E-mail: corrie.christol@nrel.gov

Accommodations

Omni Interlocken Resort
500 Interlocken Boulevard
Broomfield, CO 80021
Phone: 303-438-6600

A block of rooms for this meeting is being secured at the Omni Interlocken.  Details for making room reservations will be available in late July.  Please continue to check this Web page for updated information.

Travel and Transportation

Denver International Airport (DIA) services the Denver metro area. Denver is one of the nation's most accessible cities, with 1200 daily flights, including non-stops from 107 cities. Airlines servicing Denver International Airport include: Northwest, United, American, Trans World, Delta, Continental, US Air, America West, and Mexicana. The Omni Interlocken Resort is located 28 miles south west of DIA.

Car Rental

Many rental companies have counters located on the Baggage Claim (Level 5) of the DIA terminal. Shuttle buses for all rental companies drop off patrons on both sides of the Ground Transportation/Commercial Vehicle Level of the terminal and load at their designated stop on each side.

Shuttle Service

Shuttle service to the Omni Interlocken Resort can be accessed by contacting Super Shuttle. The Super Shuttle counter is located with ground transportation at baggage claim on Level 5 of the DIA terminal, next to Hertz Rent A Car. Please make your reservation 24 hours prior to your arrival.

Local Information

Golden, Colorado, nestled in the foothills, is a historic area and is approximately a 20 minute drive west of downtown Denver. It is home to an array of interesting museums and attractions, shops and restaurants. Please visit the Greater Golden Chamber of Commerce web site or The Golden, Colorado web site for additional information and links to local attractions.

The Boulder area is a unique area and is home to many great restaurants, distinctive shopping, and diverse entertainment. Please visit the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau Web site for additional information.

Downtown Denver is approximately a 20 minute drive from the hotel. Denver has many nationally recognized attractions. Please visit the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau Web Site for information and events in the Denver Metro area.

Weather and Altitude Sickness

Denver is located on the high plains at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. This location treats people of Denver to even more sunshine each year than Miami or San Diego, and the climate is considered mild, sunny, and semi-arid.

Denver is located 5,280 feet above sea level. Visitors can sometimes experience symptoms of altitude sickness. Altitude illness is caused by the lack of oxygen in our thin mountain air and can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition in altitudes above 6,000 feet. Please see Altitude Information for additional information and prevention.