Nevada is better known for its solar and geothermal resources, but the state does have important and resource-significant wind-generation opportunities that NV Energy is pursuing in behalf of its customers.
Wind-generation Facilities to Serve NV Energy Customers
China Mountain Wind Project 200 megawatts
Still in the development stage, this is a joint development project between NV Energy and RES Americas. It is located on the Nevada-Idaho border, near Jackpot, Nev. RES Americas is taking the lead role with the development efforts and is supporting the Bureau of Land Management, which is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the impact that the construction and operation of the proposed facilities could have on natural and cultural resources and local communities. It is anticipated a Draft EIS would be released in 2010, and the Final EIS and "Record of Decision" is likely to be issued in 2011. If all proceeds as planned, the project would be operational in 2013.
Spring Valley Wind Project 150 megawatts
Still in the development stage, this large wind project would be located approximately 30 miles east of Ely, Nev. and would be owned and operated by Pattern Energy Group. The Bureau of Land Management is conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the project, and if all goes well, construction could begin in 2010. This would be Nevada's first major wind project, and it could be generating electricity for NV Energy customers by late 2011.
WindGenerations
NV Energy customers benefit from an incentive program to help them offset the installation costs of new renewable energy systems, including wind-generating systems. Program categories include residential, small business, schools, public buildings and agriculture. Nearly 40 wind projects have been installed or funded throughout Nevada.
What is Wind Power?
Wind has been harnessed for hundreds of years. From old Holland to farms in the United States, windmills have been used for pumping water or grinding grain. Now, turbines can use the wind's energy to generate electricity.
Wind turbines, like windmills, are mounted on a tower to capture the most energy. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more above ground, they can take advantage of the faster and less turbulent wind. Turbines catch the wind's energy with their propeller-like blades. Usually, two or three blades are mounted on a shaft to form a rotor.
A blade acts much like an airplane wing. When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade. The low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, causing the rotor to turn. This is called lift. The force of the lift is actually much stronger than the wind's force against the front side of the blade, which is called drag. The combination of lift and drag causes the rotor to spin like a propeller, and the turning shaft spins a generator to make electricity.