MAJOR WIND FARM IN
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BEGINS OPERATION
Project One of First in Wave of New Wind Farm Development
Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm, the first commercial wind energy facility to be built in Oregon
as well as the Pacific Northwest in more than a decade, will be celebrated at a
commencement ceremony Thursday, December 4. Providing clean electricity since early
November, the 24.9-megawatt project is bringing green power to more than 6,000 homes and
businesses in Oregon.
FPL Energy, Inc., of North Palm Beach, Fla., is hosting state and local leaders as well as
project participants at the event. Portland General Electric of Portland, Ore., has agreed
to purchase 100% of the power generated at the facility for 30 years, while
Vestas-American Wind Technology of North Palm Springs, Calif., is furnishing V-47
660-kilowatt wind turbines for the site.
"FPL Energy is proud to play a major role in providing this environmentally-favorable
electric energy source to the Pacific Northwest," said Michael Yackira, president of
FPL Energy. "We appreciate the strong support for this project from all facets of the
Oregon community."
At first, the Vansycle Ridge project underwent some scrutiny from regional environmental
and avian groups expressing concern about wind turbine interaction with local habitat and
wildlife. In order to address these issues, FPL Energy worked extensively with the groups
to build and operate a wind farm that is respectful of the land, wildlife and other
natural resources. Additionally, FPL Energy committed to monitoring the impact of the wind
facility on avian and bat species.
"By applying lessons learned from earlier wind projects, we've created a renewable
electric energy facility that will have minimal effect on the environment," said
Yackira.
"Vansycle is a great example of clean, renewable energy, and it is supported by the
tribes, environmentalists and industry," said Rachel Shimshak, Director of the
Renewable Northwest Project. "We are thrilled to see the first commercial-scale wind
project in Oregon which will contribute to a sustainable future for us and our
children."
"The Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm will set the standard for the Pacific Northwest with
its comprehensive approach to design," said Randall Swisher, executive director of
the American Wind Energy Association. "This clean power facility was carefully
engineered with input from numerous entities, and is an excellent example of wind power's
ability to minimize environmental impact. It also moves the Pacific Northwest one step
closer to a power system based on green, renewable energy sources."
The Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm consists of 38 wind turbines in two strings; 28 turbines on
the A String and 10 on the B String. The site spans 2 1/2 miles and occupies almost 8
acres, including roadways. Approximately 3 1/2 miles of underground cable and five miles
of overhead cables link the turbines and transmit the electricity to Portland General
Electric.
The Vansycle Ridge wind farm is one of the first wind power projects in the current wave
of new wind energy development to provide electricity to the Pacific Northwest. However, a
43.2-megawatt wind plant is currently under construction in Foote Creek Rim, Wyo., and is
scheduled to be on line by the middle of December. Power from the Wyoming project will be
distributed throughout the Northwest by Bonneville Power Administration, Eugene Water
& Electric Board, and PacifiCorp.
VANSYCLE RIDGE
WIND FARM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Why was this site
chosen for a wind farm?
A: This area was selected because of its favorable wind resources,
compatible land use, and ease of interconnection with the Bonneville Power Administration
transmission lines. High winds and low transmission losses allow FPL Energy to provide
cost-effective electricity from renewable wind power to Portland General Electric and its
customers.
Q: How will these wind turbines affect
farming practices and wildlife?
A: The Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm is expected to have only a minimal
impact on farming and wildlife. For example, rotor blades, at the bottom of their swing,
are more than 100 feet from the ground, allowing farm animals to graze directly under the
wind turbines. Also, the turbines and access roads will occupy less than two percent of
the acres that the project spans. In addition, studies conducted by biologists indicate
the project site receives relatively little use by avian life or by other species of
concern.
Q: What happens when the wind speed changes?
A: The Vestas wind turbines operate on a variable pitch principal in
which rotor blades rotate to keep them at the optimum angle in order to maximize output
for all wind speeds. In this process, the turbine's electronic controller checks the power
output of the turbine several times per second. When the power output becomes too high,
the rotor blades are turned (pitched) out of the wind. Conversely, the blades are turned
back into the wind whenever the wind drops again. Because the blades normally pitch or
turn only a few degrees at a time, this motion is almost imperceptible.
Q: What happens when the wind changes
direction?
A: The turbines are equipped with a wind vane that signals wind
direction changes to the electronic controller. Within the electronic controller, there is
a yaw mechanism which uses electrical motors to turn the nacelle and rotor into the wind.
This movement is known as yawing and is almost imperceptible, as turbines normally yaw
only a few degrees at a time. The turbines' ability to rotate in this manner significantly
increases the amount of power generated.
Q: What mechanisms are in place to
prevent damage to the wind turbines when wind speeds exceed 56 mph?
A: Each turbine is equipped with a device that measures wind speed,
an electronic signal is sent to the electronic controller to stop the wind turbines if the
wind speed exceeds 56 mph.
Q: What's inside the towers?
A: The towers are hollow inside. A controller cabinet is located at
the base inside the tower. Cables and a ladder ascent to the nacelle, which contains the
generator and electronic controller. Service personnel are required to wear special
equipment to climb the ladder to service the components.
Q: Will the end consumer be able to
purchase power directly from this facility?
A: Under current regulatory rules, the facility can only sell power
wholesale to a purchaser who resells the power retail. Portland General Electric is the
reseller and has a 30 year contract to purchase 100% of the power produced from this
facility.
Fact sheet questions & answers produced by FPL Energy
WIND POWERS AMERICA is a special series of news releases
that highlights new wind projects as the U.S. wind industry undergoes a major expansion
between now and July 1999. As new wind farms are completed, WIND POWERS AMERICA will
encapsulate information from each project, including the local or regional environmental
and economic impact.
For other releases in this series,
go to the AWEA News page on this Web site.
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