Strategic Plan of the Illinois Wind Working Group - June, 2008

The Illinois Wind Working Group (IL WWG) is affiliated with the Department of Energy’s Wind Powering America’s state Wind Working Groups. The group is hosted at and administered by Illinois State University’s “Wind Energy Team” consisting of David Kennell (Technology), David Loomis (Economics) and Randy Winter (Agriculture).

The IL WWG is an organization whose purposes are to communicate wind opportunities honestly and objectively; to interact with various stakeholders at the local, state, regional and national levels; and to promote economic development of wind energy in the state of Illinois.

Organizational Goals

• Recruit organizations involved in all aspects of wind energy development to be represented on the IL WWG
•  Form steering committee of 6-10 individuals to help plan organizational goals
•  Form action teams as needed for specific goals
•  Coordinate with other organizations (DCEO, IIRA, etc.) to ensure that there is limited overlap and effective integration and communication
  

Annual Conference

•  Organize and execute annual conference that covers the latest information about all aspects of wind energy in Illinois
•  Provide exhibit space to allow attendees to learn about key organizations, services and technology
•  Ensure that the annual conference is self-supporting or provides a small surplus to fund other activities
  

Topical Conferences

• Host topical conferences that address specific issues about wind energy in Illinois
•  Develop action teams to help plan and implement topical conferences
• Ensure that the topical conferences are self-supporting or provide a small surplus to fund other activities
  

Small Wind Guide

• Provide Illinois-specific information for the NREL Small Wind Guide for Illinois
• Oversee printing of Illinois Guides
• Distribute Illinois Guides through conferences and members

Help Desk

• Field questions from the public regarding wind energy developments in Illinois
• Distribute printed materials as needed
• Refer inquiries to appropriate subject matter experts
  

Speakers Bureau

• Provide expert wind energy speakers to conferences and meetings around the state
• Distribute materials and respond to questions
• Encourage attendance at conferences for further information
  

Wind Map

• Assist Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs in the development of updated Illinois wind maps
• Provide feedback on the maps for the IL WWG
• Help distribute new maps to wind energy community
  

Wind Farm Database

• Develop a comprehensive database of current and proposed wind farms in Illinois
• Keep database current (June annual conference and December)
• Provide database and clickable map by county of the wind farms and key information