ACRP Report 108: Guidebook for Energy Facilities Compatibility with Airports and Airspace. Stephen B. Barrett, LEED AP HMMH

Transcription

1 ACRP Report 108: Guidebook for Facilities Compatibility with Airports and Airspace Stephen B. Barrett, LEED AP HMMH

2 Stephen B. Barrett, LEED AP Principal Investigator Director, Climate &, HMMH Lead Author, Technical Guidance for Evaluating Selected Solar Technologies on Airports (aka the FAA Solar Guide) Principal Investigator for ACRP Report 144, Renewable as an Airport Revenue Source (in publication)

3 ACRP Report 108 Oversight Panel Scott R. Brummond, Wisconsin DOT, Panel Chairman Jeanette Hilaire-Stoufer, Denver International Airport Douglas M. Moss, AeroPacific Consulting, Reno, NV Katie R. Servis, Massachusetts DOT Anthony C. Tezla, Mead & Hunt, Santa Rosa, CA James J. Walker, Ameresco, Framingham, MA Amy Hanson, FAA Liaison John L. Collins, AOPA Liaison Christine Gerencher, TRB Liaison

4 Research Team Philip M. DeVita, HMMH Dr. Clifford K. Ho, Sandia National Laboratories Bryan Miller, BEM International Yu Zhang, University of South Florida Mary Vigilante, Synergy Consulting

5 ACRP Report 108: Guidebook for Facilities Compatibility with Airports and Airspace Published April 2014 Describes recent trends in energy technology development and the technological and social drivers Documents energy technologies and potential affects on the National Airspace System (NAS) Presents new data on glare produced by commercially available solar panels Presents results from a survey of pilots who regularly operate out of airports where solar projects operate Reports on Department of research to minimize impacts of wind farms on aviation radar Presents siting and design guidance to avoid and minimize future impacts on the NAS

6 Technologies and Impacts

7 Research Problem and Objective Problem: significant geographic expansion in the development of energy generation projects producing impacts on airports and airspace Objectives: produce a guidebook that communicates the most up-to-date information on potential impacts of energy technologies and provides best practices for aviation safety associated with planning, developing and constructing energy production and transmission technologies at and around airports.

8 Research Approach

9 Issue Solar Glare Airports want to deploy solar for economic and environmental reasons Potential for glare to impact controllers and pilots Investigate tools, technology, and siting

10 Results Glare Modeling Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT): using modeling to predict potential glare from proposed projects

11 Results Panel Design Reflectivity data for commercially available solar modules suggests that solar panels, even those manufactured with an anti-reflection coating, produce disability glare. However, use of a deep textured surface design may not.

12 Results Pilot Survey (383) 9 % of respondents who were aware of solar projects indicated that they had experienced glare while 74 % did not. Of the pilots who did experience glare, 4 % classified the glare as a significant nuisance, 24 % as a moderate nuisance, and 72 % as not a nuisance.

13 Issue Wind Turbine Radar Interference Wind power is the most economical way to produce large amounts of renewable energy But wind turbines are 500 feet tall and impinge on airspace

14 Results Wind/Radar Research 10 years of research impacts on airspace has been minimized but not avoided. The Interagency Field Test and Evaluation (IFT&E) Program conducted three two-week flight campaigns near NAS radar systems in high-density WTG areas in Minnesota and Texas in to identify impacts. In addition, nine private sector vendors that were selected by Sandia National Laboratories participated in the flight campaigns to test and evaluate candidate technologies. Research is ongoing.

15 Issue Meteorological Towers MET towers are typically sized below 200 foot FAA reporting height. Because they are not identified on charts and are not marked, they pose a significant safety danger to aircraft

16 Results MET Tower Awareness Fatal collision Vansycle OR Fatal collision Ralls TX Fatal collision Oakley CA NTSB Safety Alert FAA Voluntary Marking California Law NTSB Recommendation June 24, 2011 The FAA published a policy statement with its recommendation for the voluntary marking of METs. August 27, 2012 California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation requiring towers standing 50 feet and taller to be clearly marked with bright aviation colors. The new rules will apply to towers built after January 1, 2013 and will sunset in five years. May 15, 2013 The NTSB issued a Recommendation Letter to the FAA requiring all METs adopt lighting requirements.

17 Issue Height of Gas Drill Rigs & Frack Ponds as Bird Attractants Airports can earn alternative revenue by leasing land for gas drilling Drill rigs can be more than 150 feet tall Ponds are necessary to provide water to the well

18 Results Utilize Best Practices for Gas Development Model programs at DFW and DIA provide guidance: Locate rigs away from runways Minimize establishment of permanent frack ponds Prohibit flaring Design permanent ponds with elements that discourage wildlife Regularly monitoring

19 Issue Thermal Plumes Stacks as a physical structure can be regulated under Part 77. Non-structural impacts of plumes more difficult to assess and risk is unpredictable.

20 Results Plume Modeling MITRE developed the Plume Hazard Model to predict the potential effects of thermal plumes on aircraft. The model has the ability to evaluate: MITRE developed the Plume Hazard Model to predict the potential effects of thermal plumes on aircraft plume rise and plume characteristics from an exhaust stack turbulence and aircraft response models the degree of turbulence that could be expected above the exhaust stack and its effect on different aircraft types. The MITRE report found that there was a definite risk of light aircraft experiencing severe turbulence within the target level of safety (TLS) as they fly over an exhaust plume during certain weather conditions.

21 Issue Electrical Infrastructure New generation needs to be connected to users. This creates a significant amount of new infrastructure that could physically impinge on airspace.

22 Results Electric Transmission Impacts not well documented. More research recommended.

23 Action Solar Best Practices SOLAR POWER Best Practice Who When Why Meet with FAA (and/or Block Grant State Aviation Departments), State DOTs, and other relevant state and local agencies/entities Airport, Avoid all impacts Use SGHAT Model Use Notice Criteria Tool File Form 7460 Engage stakeholder process Coordinate with Tower and Airport Airport, Airport, Airport, Airport, Airport, Construction Avoid glare during siting of PV arrays Avoid physical penetration during siting Identify all impacts Raise issues that can be addressed through agency review Avoid airspace hazard Issue Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FAA Construction Avoid airspace hazard; should only be used in short-term (3-6 months) to call attention to potential safety hazard

24 Action Wind Best Practices WIND POWER Best Practice Who When Why Use DoD Siting Tool Avoid areas of significant radar activity Use Notice Criteria Tool Meet with FAA (and/or Block Grant State Aviation Departments), State DOTs, and other relevant state and local agencies/entities Engage stakeholder process File Form 7460 Upgrade facilities Apply Lighting/Marking to Wind Turbine Apply Lighting/Marking to MET Airport, Development Development Avoid physical penetration during siting Identify specific airspace issues Raise issues that can be addressed through agency review Avoid impacts to flight paths and radar Mitigate for identified radar impacts Mitigate for airspace penetration Avoid airspace hazard Issue Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FAA Construction Avoid airspace hazard; should only be used in short-term (3-6 months) to call attention to potential safety hazard

25 Action Drilling Best Practices OIL AND GAS DRILLING Best Practice Who When Why Meet with FAA (and/or Block Grant State Aviation Departments), State Airport, Identify specific DOTs, and other relevant state and local agencies/entities airspace issues Use Notice Criteria Tool File Construction Safety Phasing Plan File Form 7460 Plan Frack Ponds as temporary structures or incorporate wildlife prevention measures Airport, Airport, Avoid physical penetration during siting Avoid airspace hazard Avoid airspace hazard Avoid wildlife hazards Prohibit flaring Airport Avoid airspace hazard Coordinate with Tower and Airport Airport, Construction Avoid airspace hazard Issue Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FAA Construction Avoid airspace hazard; should only be used in shortterm (3-6 months) to call attention to potential safety hazard

26 Action Plume Best Practices POWER PLANT STACKS AND COOLING TOWERS Best Practice Who When Why Meet with FAA (and/or Block Grant State Aviation Departments), State DOTs, and other relevant state and local agencies/entities Engage stakeholder process Use Notice Criteria Tool File Form 7460 Use MITRE Model 1 Use air to air heat exchangers or other plume abatement technology, Airport Identify specific airspace issues Raise issues that can be addressed through agency review Avoid physical penetration during siting Avoid impacts to airspace Predict characteristics of thermal plume Avoid impacts to airspace Issue Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FAA Construction Avoid airspace hazard; should only be used in short-term (3-6 months) to call attention to potential safety hazard Notes: 1. The MITRE Plume Hazard Model has not been released by FAA as of this writing. Therefore, until release of the model and updated AC, air traffic controllers, pilots, and developers should rely on current FAA guidance and recommended practices, including the use of the CASA guidance where applicable.

27 Action Electrical Best Practices ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE Best Practice Who When Why Meet with FAA (and/or Block Grant State Aviation Departments), State DOTs, and other relevant state and local agencies/entities Engage stakeholder process Use Notice Criteria Tool File Form 7460 Apply Lighting/Marking, Spherical Balls, Airport Airport, Identify specific airspace issues Raise issues that can be addressed through agency review Avoid physical penetration during siting Avoid impacts to airspace Avoid airspace hazard Issue Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) FAA Construction Avoid airspace hazard; should only be used in short-term (3-6 months) to call attention to potential safety hazard

28 Action Siting based on Height # Structure Height (ft. AGL) 1 Solar Tower Solar Panel 10 2 Meteorological Tower Tall 3 Meteorological Tower Small Wind Turbine Tall Wind Turbine Medium Wind Turbine Small Drill Rig 1 - NoMAC Drill Rig 2 Mountain Rig Oil / Water Tank Communication Tower Power Plant Stack Cooling Tower Transmission Tower 150

29 Action Design Considerations Technology Impact Design Observation Implementation Solar PV Glare PV module tilt and compass orientation have a significant impact on the direction of glare Use SGHAT to evaluate impact Wind Turbine Radar There is no design flexibility with wind turbines because they must be tall to produce sufficient energy Physical Hazard of METs All should be marked and located on aeronautical charts Oil and Gas Flaring Prohibit flaring near airports as alternatives are available Power Plants Wildlife Attractants Thermal Plume Turbulence Reclaim frack ponds after construction or include wildlife deterrent designs Sites should avoid areas of aircraft take-off and final approach below 1,000 ft. AGL Engage DoD siting clearinghouse and FAA File 7460 Include in land lease and CSPP Include in land lease and CSPP Utilize MITRE model 1 Transmission Physical Hazard All should be marked and located on aeronautical File 7460 charts Notes: 1. The MITRE Plume Hazard Model has not been released by FAA as of this writing. Therefore, until release of the model and updated AC, air traffic controllers, pilots, and developers should rely on current FAA guidance and recommended practices, including the use of the CASA guidance where applicable.

30 For additional information: ACRP Report 108: Guidebook for Facilities Compatibility with Airports and Airspace crp/acrp_rpt_108.pdf Stephen B. Barrett o sbarrett@hmmh.com