HOME ON THE WINDY RANGE

Cutting across the valley on Highway 12, a two-lane ribbon of road (soon to be widened) I was drawn by the wind and the giant blades of 75 whirling wind turbines, set against a picturesque landscape of rolling grass fields and ranching.  I have driven this route many times, but not since the 2009 installation of the Shiloh II Wind Farm, a project created by enXco, in partnership with local ranchers.  Here, sheep and cattle graze beneath the balletic blades of 30 story-tall wind turbines.  These turbines, spread across 6,000+ acres, create enough energy to power 75,000 homes per year.  98% of the acreage involved is usable farmland.  The blades spin 11 to 20 times per minute, slower than older models, providing greater visibility to birds, in hopes of minimizing bird injuries, while providing renewable energy at 52% optimization out of 59% maximal optimization.  The kinetic movement of the computerized turbines is as compelling as any kinetic Art form.  Collectively they inspire awe.  For more information and great video visuals see:  

For more information see:

Business Wire: enXco Dedicates the 150 MW Shiloh II Wind Project

Photo: inhabitat.com

We’ve looked a lot at solar energy, electric vehicles, sustainable transportation at Green Growth but little have we covered on the topic of wind energy. When I saw this headline, I thought it would be the perfect intro to you readers.

It’s a BIG project that GE Energy and Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation are moving forward with the blessing of Ohio Governor Ted Strickland – the construction and implementation of five wind turbines by 2012 to generate 20 MW of electricity, and enough turbines by 2020 to generate at least 1,000 MW. This will be the United State’s first fresh-water wind farm – the first salt-water is to be in Cape Cod.

For more specifics on the technology involved with these specialized turbines, continue on.

These turbines will be 300 feet tall, gearless, operated on a giant ring of magnets, and made with carbon fiber blades to be longer and lighter. The combination of this innovative design is meant to allow these enormous turbines to generate power even on relatively low wind speeds.

This one project opens up the idea for an entire Great Lakes wind farm that will bring in large amounts of renewable energy. But what is treasure for some (like us), is trash for others who believe the turbines may decrease value of the land by taking away from the view and possibly being dangerous to birds, whales, fishing, and aviation.

For information on a the Cape Cod wind farm.

[Source: Inhabitat]