The wind turbine technology they would use has not yet been decided, however GE's 1.6 MW, 100 meter rotor diameter wind turbine is a new standard in wind generation. Its total height is approximately 80 meters to the hub (262 feet) and a 48.7 meter blade (159 feet) for a total height of 421 feet. More information on these wind turbines can be found here.
About the Proposed Project
•
100 megawatt Wind Facility
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Take approximately 90 acres of farmland out of
production
•
Would generate enough electricity to power
28,000 Indiana homes
•
Enable the reduction of emissions
of other generating units by
–
More than 349,900 tons of carbon dioxide
annually (the equivalent of removing
approximately 62,240 cars from the road)
–
More than 1,200 tons of sulfur dioxide annually
–
More than 350 tons of nitrogen oxides annually
•
Will require no water to generate electricity
•
Will prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Plan (SWPP) for Construction Activities
•
$180 + million investment Marshall and Fulton
counties
•
$23 million in escalating lease payments to
landowners
•
$22 million in property tax revenue
•
$14 million in salaries and benefits for about 8
full time employees
•
Purchase of goods and services for the life of
the plant
•
Support for agricultural community
•
Places no demands on local infrastructure
•
Compatible with agricultural land use
The map below shows NextEra's proposed wind farm location. Click on the map to enlarge.
Unless the OCAS system is utilized, placing the wind farm east of Argos threatens Indiana's first Official Dark-Sky Preserve and one of the darkest publicly assessable properties in Indiana.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, thank you for that comment. It looks like the farm would be a couple miles West of the preserve, but we'll make sure NextEra is aware, and see if they could mitigate possible visual impacts.
ReplyDeleteThis issue is the white lights during the day and red at night. At any given time, a certain number of photo sensors malfunction making observing imposable. Of course the red is fine unless you plan to do any astrophotography. Then it ruins the CCD image.
ReplyDeleteThere is a sprint tower north of the Warsaw Astronomical Observatory near North Webster that malfunctions from time to time. The cellular tower on old 30 near Etna Green malfunctions too and you can see it at the park when it does. :(
http://www.ocasinc.com/turbine-avoidance-solutions.cfm
ReplyDeleteOCAS system is the new method incorporating radar to alert airplanes. they also shut down the wind turbine if a flock of birds approaches. the video demonstrates the process.
The OCAS does look like a nice system, but I don't think it has FAA approval. I'll ask NextEra to contact the Preserve's Director (Mr. Stephan) to better understand the potential impacts and discuss alternatives.
ReplyDelete