HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSEIS-Appendix-I_Microwave-Study-Update-1.pdf
Prepared on Behalf of
Black Oak Wind LLC
January 21, 2016
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Black Oak Wind LLC
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Comsearch Proprietary January 21, 2016 - 0 -
Table of Contents
1. Introduction - 1 -
2. Project Overview - 1 -
3. Fresnel Zone Analysis - 2 -
4. Conclusion - 5 -
5. Contact - 5 -
Black Oak Wind LLC
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Comsearch Proprietary January 21, 2016 - 1 -
1. Introduction
Microwave bands that may be affected by the installation of wind turbine facilities operate over a
wide frequency range (900 MHz – 23 GHz). Comsearch has developed and maintains
comprehensive technical databases containing information on licensed microwave networks
throughout the United States. These systems are the telecommunication backbone of the
country, providing long-distance and local telephone service, backhaul for cellular and personal
communication service, data interconnects for mainframe computers and the Internet, network
controls for utilities and railroads, and various video services. This report focuses on the
potential impact of wind turbines on licensed, proposed and applied non-federal government
microwave systems.
2. Project Overview
Project Information
Name: Black Oak Wind Farm Number of Turbines: 7
County: Tompkins Number of Alternate Turbine Location: 1
State: New York Blade Diameter: 107 meters
Hub Height: 94 meters
Figure 1: Area of Interest
Black Oak Wind LLC
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Comsearch Proprietary January 21, 2016 - 2 -
3. Fresnel Zone Analysis
Methodology
Our obstruction analysis was performed using Comsearch’s proprietary microwave database,
which contains all non-government licensed, proposed and applied paths from 0.9 - 23 GHz1.
First, we determined all microwave paths that intersect the area of interest2 and listed them in
Table 1. These paths and the area of interest that encompasses the planned turbine locations
are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Microwave Paths that Intersect the Area of Interest
1 Please note that this analysis does not include unlicensed microwave paths or federal government paths that are
not registered with the FCC.
2 We use FCC-licensed coordinates to determine which paths intersect the area of interest. It is possible that as-built
coordinates may differ slightly from those on the FCC license.
Black Oak Wind LLC
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Comsearch Proprietary January 21, 2016 - 3 -
ID Status Callsign 1 Callsign 2 Band Path Length
(km) Licensee
1 Proposed 1048240 1050934 Lower 6 GHz 71.02 SCS Networks
2 Licensed WLD379 RXONLY 950 MHz 25.91 SAGA COMMUNICATIONS OF NEW ENGLAND, LLC
3 Licensed WPYT889 WPYT882 Upper 6 GHz 20.63 Tompkins, County Dept of Emergency Respo
4 Licensed WQJI893 RXONLY 950 MHz 25.89 SAGA Communications of New England, LLC
5 Licensed WQWI841 WQWI849 18 GHz 5.09 Clarity Connect, Inc.
6 Licensed WNEL500 WNEL501 Lower 6 GHz 23.53 New York State Electric & Gas Corp
7 Licensed WNEL500 WNEL501 Upper 6 GHz 23.53 New York State Electric & Gas Corp
Table 1: Summary of Microwave Paths that Intersect the Area of Interest
(See enclosed mw_geopl.xlsx for more information and
GP_dict_matrix_description.xls for detailed field descriptions)
Verification of Coordinate Accuracy
It is possible that as-built coordinates may differ from those on the FCC license. For this project,
path IDs 2 and 4 cross within close proximity of the proposed turbines and the tower locations
for these paths will have a critical impact on the result. Therefore, we verified these locations
using aerial photography. Some of the towers were found to be slightly off and were moved to
their locations based on the aerial photos3.
Next, we calculated a Fresnel Zone for each path based on the following formula:
21
2117.3 dd
dd
F
nr
GHz
Where,
r = Fresnel Zone radius at a specific point in the microwave path, meters
n = Fresnel Zone number, 1
FGHz = Frequency of microwave system, GHz
d1 = Distance from antenna 1 to a specific point in the microwave path, kilometers
d2 = Distance from antenna 2 to a specific point in the microwave path, kilometers
In general, this is the area where the planned wind turbines should be avoided, if possible. A
depiction of the Fresnel Zones for each microwave path listed can be found in Figure 3, and is
also included in the enclosed shapefiles4,5.
3 See enclosed mw_geopl.shp and mw_geopl_fcc.shp for details.
4 The ESRI® shapefiles enclosed are in NAD 83 UTM Zone 18 projected coordinate system.
Black Oak Wind LLC
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Comsearch Proprietary January 21, 2016 - 4 -
Figure 3: Fresnel Zones in the Area of Interest
5 Comsearch makes no warranty as to the accuracy of the data included in this report beyond the date of the report.
The data provided in this report is governed by Comsearch’s data license notification and agreement located at
http://www.comsearch.com/files/data_license.pdf.
Black Oak Wind LLC
Wind Power GeoPlanner™
Microwave Study
Black Oak Wind Farm
Comsearch Proprietary January 21, 2016 - 5 -
4. Conclusion
Total Microwave
Paths
Paths with
Affected
Fresnel Zones
Total
Turbines
Total
Alternate
Turbine
Locations
Number of
Turbines/Alternate
Location intersecting
the Fresnel Zones
7 0 7 1 0
Table 2: Fresnel Zone Analysis Result
Our study identified seven microwave paths intersecting the Black Oak Wind Farm area of
interest. The Fresnel Zones for these microwave paths were calculated and mapped in order to
assess the potential impact from the turbines. Seven turbines with one alternate turbine
location were considered in the analysis. Each turbine has a blade diameter of 107 meters and
turbine hub height of 94 meters. Of those turbines, none were found to have potential
obstruction with the microwave systems in the area.
5. Contact
For questions or information regarding the Microwave Study, please contact:
Contact person: Denise Finney
Title: Account Manager
Company: Comsearch
Address: 19700 Janelia Farm Blvd., Ashburn, VA 20147
Telephone: 703-726-5650
Fax: 703-726-5595
Email: dfinney@comsearch.com
Web site: www.comsearch.com