Wind Turbines Q&A
Why did AEP undertake this
project?
Some customers want information on generating power with alternative sources.
They are concerned about power quality issues, cost and whether they will be
able to generate enough electricity to meet their needs.
Why did AEP install only
five, small 10-kW wind turbines?
According to government wind maps, only modest wind resources exist throughout
most of the current AEP service territory. Wind is rated on a scale of 1 to
7, with 7 representing the best condition for wind generation. Wind in AEP
areas is generally given a rating of 2, which is better suited to a distributed
generation source. Larger wind turbine farms are typically located in areas
rated 4 or 5.
How does a wind turbine
work?
Wind turbines, the successor to the windmill, convert the wind’s energy to
electricity. Turbines used in the AEP program are mounted on a 100-foot tower
to capture the wind's energy using the turbine's rotating blades. As the wind
picks up, the blades slowly spin like a propeller, which in turn spins a generator
to make electricity. Increasing wind speeds make the blades spin faster and
generate more electricity until the turbine reaches its maximum output.
What does AEP hope to
accomplish from this program?
Isn’t this information available
from studies done by other
utilities?
AEP is making information from the wind turbines program available to customers
who may consider buying a distributed generation device for their home or business.
The web site is the first to compare in real-time how much electricity is being
produced by a wind turbine with the amount of energy a typical home or business
needs
How did AEP finance
this project?
AEP invested more than $300,000 on this program. The money came from
membership dues paid to the Electric Power Research Institute.
What is a distributed
generation source?
A technology which generates power at the point of consumption, e.g., at a
home or business. Wind turbines and other distributed generation sources are
matched to the amount of energy the homeowner or business would need. On the
other hand, centralized generation sources such as a wind farm or power plant,
generate power that is delivered to the customer over transmission lines.
What are the locations of
the five turbines?
Turbines are located at the following locations: the
Outdoor Discovery Center in Holland, Mich.; the Spy
Run Service Center near Science Central in Fort
Wayne, Ind.; the Dolan
Technology Center in Groveport, Ohio; the Beckley
Higher Education Center in Beckley, W. Va.; and the Smith
Mountain Dam Visitor's Center near Sandy Level, Va.
How were the sites selected?
The following criteria were used to select the sites:
- Area with better wind
resources
- AEP-owned land with easy
access to the distribution
line network
- Location the public could
easily access
- Area with minimal environmental
impact (visual)
- Located near a distribution
line to allow for study of
power quality
Does AEP have any immediate
plans to expand its wind generation
abilities?
The addition of the 160-megawatt Desert Sky
Wind Power Project in 2001 to the AEP generation portfolio establishes
the company as one of the largest renewable power generators in the nation.
The project, added to the 150-megawatt Trent Mesa
Wind Project, demonstrates AEP's commitment to strategically increasing
its holdings in renewable power resources. In addition, AEP affiliate Public
Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has signed a contract with FPL Energy, LLC,
a subsidiary of FPL Group, to purchase up to 147 megawatts of Oklahoma-generated
wind power for 20 years. The power will come from FPL Energy’s 5,200-acre Weatherford Wind Energy Center
near Weatherford, Okla.
Who manufactured the turbines
used by AEP?
AEP purchased its BWC Excel 10 kW turbines from the Bergey Windpower Co. in
Norman, Okla.
How can they be contacted?
(405) 364-4212
(888) 669-6178 Toll-Free
Fax: (405) 364-2078
E-mail: sales@bergey.com
Web site: www.bergey.com.
Why was this manufacturer
chosen?
Bergey has a reputation of making wind turbines that are reliable and require
minimal maintenance.
What are the specifications
of this particular model?
| Start-up
wind speed: |
7.5 mph |
| Cut-in wind
speed: |
7 mph |
| Rated wind
speed: |
29 mph |
| Cut-out wind
speed: |
none |
| Furling wind
speed: |
35 mph |
| Max design
wind speed: |
120 mph |
| Type: |
3 blade upwind |
| Rotor diameter: |
23 ft. |
| Weight: |
1050 lbs. |
| Blade pitch
control: |
PowerflexR |
| Overspeed
protection: |
AutofurlTM |
| Gearbox/belts: |
None, Direct
Drive |
| Temperature
range: |
-40° to
+60°C |
|
-40° to
+140° F |
| Generator: |
Permanent
Magnet Alternator |
| Output Form: |
3 Phase, Variable
Frequency |
