Wind energy proposal for Wellington, Colorado: feasibility and costs

Wind Farm Proposal

There is ample empirical scientific evidence that the world's climate is changing, and notwithstanding those in positions of authority that deny the climate is warming, the facts are clear. Seas are rising, temperatures are rising on land and in the oceans, ice sheets are shrinking, glaciers are shrinking, the ocean is becoming acidified, and there is strong evidence that the use of fossil fuels -- in particular, coal -- is contributing to the climate change. So, the need to introduce renewable energy sources -- that do not contribute to carbon to the atmosphere, is seen as a positive way to slow down the warming of the earth.

Among the renewable energy sources being installed and instituted is wind power. There are many advantages to wind energy (it's green; space-efficient; renewable; protects homeowners from power outages; the cost of wind energy has been reduced by 80% since 1980; and wind power (stirred by the sun) has enormous potential because though winds do subside on occasion, there will always be wind).

Proposal for two 100 kW Wind Turbines

A small town in northern Colorado is considering installing two 100 kW Wind Turbines to produce a significant portion of the needed electricity. Wellington, Colorado, is a town of 6,725 (according to the 2010 U.S. Census) north of Fort Collins. Available wind information from www.city-data.com shows that Fort Collins has wind speeds on average of 12.8 MPH.

The town's fiscal administrator proposed to the city council that the community invest in a pair of 100 kW turbines, which will power all or nearly all the city's infrastructure, representing an annual savings of $19,000 to $26,000. The engineering department researched the cost of the turbines, the expected cost of installation, the tax credits available and the federal dollars available through grants. And the fiscal administrator followed up with the data provided through the engineering research and made a proposal to the mayor and the city council.

The report to the mayor and city council -- given during a city council session with citizens in the council chambers -- included basic information about the advantages of installing wind turbines vis-a-vis savings to the taxpayers, initial investment, and the social and ethical aspects of a huge reduction in carbon pollution as regards climate change.

Each turbine tower is 120 feet; to the tip of the blade, 154 feet

Two 100 kW wind turbines from Northern Power Systems @ $352,000 each = $704,000 (estimate); Northern Power Systems turbines are gearless, and include a 10-year warrantee and 24x7 monitoring technologies

Installation of two 100 kW turbines - $450,000 (estimate)

Federal grants available from www.grants.gov - $800,000 (estimate)

State renewable energy grants available in Colorado (www.energy-grants.net) - $240,000 (estimate)

Costs ($1,154) minus grants ($1,040) - $114 difference

Land space needed for two turbines -- 7 acres

Potential tax credits from state and federal governments - TBA