SolarGMPHarnessing the Power of the Wind
Searsburg's
6 megawatt power plant provides emission-free, renewable energy to over
2,000 average Vermont households and serves as an education resource
for wind generation in cold climates and environmentally sensitive
regions.
Green Mountain Power began "prospecting" for wind turbine sites in the late 1970s. Knowing that higher elevations have better wind, but are more environmentally sensitive, the challenge from the start was to find a windy site that would be environmentally acceptable and still be economically feasible. After screening hundreds of potential sites in Vermont and Massachusetts, GMP selected the Searsburg site because of its strong and persistent winds and its proximity to existing access roads and transmission lines. In addition, the area was away from population centers, yet was not in an area of unique environmental concern.
When completed in 1997, the Searsburg project became the largest wind power facility in the eastern part of the country. After initial research and development work by GMP, this project became feasible when it was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for participation in their Utility Wind Turbine Verification Program. GMP's commitment to and experience with wind generation fit well with the program's objectives of utility involvement in wind power and the evaluation and commercialization of advanced wind turbines.
Generating energy from wind in Vermont's harsh winter environment poses a unique set of challenges. Learning how to meet these challenges is an important research goal at this facility. Lessons learned provide valuable information for land use and energy planners in determining to what extent wind energy will be used to meet the region's electrical needs. The research focuses on the performance of wind turbines in cold, northern climates, the level of public acceptance of wind energy facilities, and the potential effects on birds and wildlife.
Winter's Influence
As the largest in the east when built in 1997, this wind power facility offers a valuable opportunity to share information about the costs and benefits of generating electricity from the power in the wind, including environmental and societal impacts. Lessons learned in developing and operating the wind generating station are being shared with educators, industry representatives and other organizations from around the country.
Vermont is well known for its beautiful and very cold winters. Unlike most states, Vermont uses more electricity in the winter than in any other season. But the winter season also brings the strongest and most persistent winds. This gives the plant the ability to generate more electricity at the time it is most needed. In part because of that and the research funding, the cost per kilowatt-hour of energy generated at Searsburg will be comparable to alternative sources over the 25-year life of the plant. The plant reduces the need to burn fossil fuels in other parts of New England, reducing air emissions by approximately 22 million pounds a year.
The turbines' design incorporates several features that allow them to perform better in cold climates. For example, the rotor blades are black to absorb solar energy on sunny winter days, warming them enough to shed ice. The gearboxes use synthetic lubricants and heaters to assure reliable operation in cold temperatures.
