In architecture, a site plan is a detailed engineering drawing
In architecture, a site plan is a detailed engineering drawing that proposes special kinds of improvements on a precise lot. It usually shows the footprints of the journey ways, building, parking, sanitary sewer lines, lighting, drainage facilities, and the garden elements. In simple terms, a site plan is a graphic illustration of the arrangement of buildings, drives, parking, and other buildings that make up a development project. Site plans are used by site constructors when making improvements to different types of property. It is important to note that special countries and states within the international locations used the site plans to verify whether or not the development codes have been followed effectively. They are usually prepared by professionals referred to as design consultants. Design consultants should either be licensed architects, engineers, land surveyors, or landscape architects. It is important to note that site plan has a variety of topics and these include the site analysis, site plan building blocks, urban planning, transportation planning, and site planning. This particular paper will argue that site planning for wind energy is essential and if properly implemented it will help improve the future of site planning.
Purpose
Site planning is a very important aspect of all projects and this is because it influences the final outcome of any given project. It does this by laying a proper foundation of all that is required of a project. Wind energy, on the other hand, is energy generated from the wind. Wind energy can be converted to electricity which can be used to power various equipment to be used both in the project, as well as, in people's homes. The purpose of this particular project is to show how wind energy can be effective to improve the future of site planning,
Background
Site planning
In architecture or landscape architecture, site planning is the organizational stage where the architectural design processes take place. Site planning mainly involves different processes, for example, the access to land, zoning of land use, privacy, security, access, as well as, the land drainage. Site planning is mainly done through carefully arranging the different compositional elements which include the planting, landform, buildings, water, and paving (Lynch, Kevin, and Gary, 1984). The first and initial stage of this process is accessing a potential site which done through the critical analysis of various sites. Information on other factors, for example, hydrology, land ownership, soil, orientation, and vegetation is also evaluated for the mapping process. Site planning is essential for identifying areas that are not suitable for development, for example, the steep slopes, as well as, the floodplains, and this facilitates the selection of sites that are good for development.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is the energy that has been created by moving air. It is important to note that this is caused by temperature changes, as well as, pressure differences within the atmosphere. Heat generated by the sun heats up the air in the earth's atmosphere, thus, the air rises. Conversely, when the temperature falls, low-pressure zones are created within the earth's atmosphere, thus, the air falls. The description above clearly brings out the close relationship between solar energy and wind energy, thus, wind energy can be otherwise described as solar energy that has converted to kinetic energy. Wind energy is usually harnessed by special gadgets referred to as wind energy converters. The wind energy converters which can otherwise be referred to as wind turbines are designed in a special way that allows them to capture the flow of air, thus, convert it to a movement which drives conventional generators to create electric energy. Apart from generating electric energy, wind energy has been used for centuries for other purposes, for example, for pumping water, as well as, grinding grain. However, in the contemporary world, wind energy is referred to as the most efficient form of renewable energy only coming second to hydro (Ackermann 2005).
Analysis
Due to the varying characteristics of wind power, it is crucial to identify the characteristics of the wind that mainly blows in the site selected for effective site planning. It can be acknowledged that even the slightest errors in the estimation of the wind's speed can significantly affect the yield of the energy of the project developed on site. Effective site planning will ensure that poor choice of a suitable site, as well as, the placement of wind turbines in the site are avoided (Jangamshetti & Rau, 1999). The following is a list of site-specific wind characteristics that should be put into consideration for wind energy sites.
- The wind short-term fluctuations
- The wind long-term fluctuations
- The wind shear
- The distribution of the wind's direction
- The distribution of the wind's speed
- The mean wind speed
It is important to acknowledge that for the generation of electricity, wind turbines have been used for their efficiency and effectiveness. The technology of wind turbines has evolved over the years from the traditional windmills on the early years to the advanced turbines we see today. Wind turbines have different specifications, for example, there are those that consists of 3 blades, whereas, there are those with a different number of blades. It can be acknowledged that the dominantly used type of wind turbine has 3 blades, however, being the dominantly used wind turbine does not mean that it is the best. The best choice of the wind turbine depends on the sites geographic profile, wind profile, as well as, other factors.
In the effective site planning for wind energy, it is necessary to put the environmental issues into consideration. The question, how environmentally friendly should a wind energy project be? Should continuously ring in the minds of those doing the site planning of the wind energy project. The wind turbines being installed on the site, as well as, the buildings and other equipment affect the environment because they have various impacts on the humans, animals and the carbon-energy savings in the environment. Therefore, it is important to conduct an effective environmental impact analysis during the site planning before the permission to construct on the site is granted. The areas of concern in the environmental impact analysis include the noise, shadow flickers, collision of birds, and the visual impact. It can be acknowledged that the other factors that need to be addressed include the unnecessary construction of buildings, overhead lines, roads, and the traffic caused by the construction process.
Noise
The wind turbines that will be installed on the site generate noise from the various parts of the turbine, for example, aerodynamic noise which is created when air passes through the blades, gearbox noise which is caused by the various wheels that are rotating in the turbine, and shaft noise which is caused by the shaft, as well as, the bearings moving in the turbine.
The Shadow Flicker
It can be acknowledged that wind turbines always cast a shadow in direct sunlight on their vicinity. The wind makes the blades rotate and this cut through the light and this causes a flickering effect. However, it can be acknowledged that this flickering effect only occurs for a short period of time.
The visual impact
Wind turbines are usually placed on very high towers, thus, they have a significant visual effect on an area. It is important to note that having a lot of these turbines in a specific area might tarnish the beauty of the area.
The collision of birds
One of the most emotional things is seeing the birds colliding with the blades of the turbines. Therefore, in site planning, it is important to put into consideration factors such as the proximity of the wind turbines to the bird conservation areas, as well as, the breeding grounds.
Recommendations
It is important that the world embraces wind energy as a source of electric energy. This is not only because it is a renewable source of energy but because of the great potentials, it holds. It can be acknowledged that it is not yet known how the global distribution of wind is nor how much of that wind can be extracted for energy, however, it is clearly evident that wind energy can be used to generate a lot of electricity if only it is effectively harnessed. More and more countries across the globe should adopt technologies that harvest wind energy, thus, meet the demands of electricity they have. Western Europe alone generates about 151TWh annually, however, it has the potential of producing 28 times that amount (Drewitt & Langston 2006). It can be acknowledged that Latin America, Eastern Europe, as well as, Africa have only recently started investing in wind energy. It is important to also note with the adoption of wind energy harnessing, more carbon emissions will be reduced. Currently, with the adopted wind energy projects in the world, about 170gms of carbon are saved for every kilowatt of energy generated in an hour by a wind turbine, additionally, the materials used in the construction of the wind turbines can easily be recycled and re-processed (European Wind Energy Association, 2009).
Conclusion
It can be acknowledged that accepted practices the development of wind energy sites have emerged over the years and they are strictly enforced by the various authorizing bodies in the world. These have been developed from a strict consideration of the effects of noise, visual impact, disturbances to the birds, as well as, the noise. According to these best practices widely adopted, a wind energy turbine should be located within a 50 meters of dropping distance from the major roads. A wind turbine should be located 100 meters from the power lines. A wind turbine should be located within 200 meters of dropping distance from the national parks and leisure parks. A wind turbine should be located 500 meters away from houses and 1 kilometer away from the urban places (Green Rhino Energy, 2013). If these regulations are strictly followed during the site planning, it will make sure that all the environmental impacts of the project that will be located on the site are met and these will save both money and time.
References
Ackermann, T. (Ed.). (2005). Wind power in power systems. John Wiley & Sons.
Drewitt, A. L., & Langston, R. H. (2006). Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds. Ibis, 148(s1), 29-42.
European Wind Energy Association. (2009). The economics of wind energy. EWEA.
Green Rhino Energy. (2013). Clean energy, climate change, and wind energy. Retrieved on January 28, 2017 from http://www.greenrhinoenergy.com/renewable/wind/wind_environment.php#
Jangamshetti, S. H., & Rau, V. G. (1999). Site matching of wind turbine generators: a case study. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 14(4), 1537-1543.
Listokin, D., & Walker, C. (2012). The subdivision and site plan handbook. Transaction Publishers.
Lynch, K., & Hack, G. (1984). Site planning. MIT press.
