30 MW Generating Capacity
15 2.0 MW Gamesa Wind Turbines
Completion Date: December 2012 |
In September of 2005, the Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center (now the Institute for Energy) received an application to measure the wind resource of agricultural land in Cambria County, to the north and west of Patton, PA. A review of our wind maps indicated the
potential for class 3 wind speeds (14.3 - 15.7 mph [in blue]) at 50 meters above the surface, enough to support utility-scale wind turbines.
After permits were approved and reviews completed, a 50 meter NRG meteorological tower was installed at an elevation of 2,220 feet (near the blue area on the above wind map - in orange above the 'ed' in Saint Benedict). The tower was placed in an open field away from
obstructions. The tower collected data beginning in June of 2006 and continued to do so until collection ended in March 2008. The tower was removed in April 2008.
To have a thorough understanding of the wind resource at a location, it is best to collect at least one year's worth of data. In chart one, average wind speed, notice that wind speeds are stronger during winter months than they are during mid to late summer.
In the second chart, diurnal wind speed, notice that wind speeds are slightly stronger during nighttime hours. Below, the third chart, wind direction frequency, shows that the wind comes predominately from the west and southwest at this site. The fourth chart shows that wind
speeds of 10 to 14 m.p.h. were the most commonly occurring during the period of June 2006 - September 2007.
With an average annual wind speed of 15.3 mph measured at the site, the center helped coordinate a request for proposals to potentially install a wind farm at the site. Tasks to development included 1) permitting (including environmental and interconnection to the grid), 2) public review, 3) securing a power
purchase agreement, 4) securing financing, 5) equipment procurement, 6) construction contracts, 7) construction, 8) maintenance contracts. Through a competitive process, OwnEnergy, Inc. was selected to move forward with the project. The developer worked with local farmers Marty
and Rick Yahner to gain the support of landowners and determine where the turbines would be placed.
EverPower Wind Holdings, Inc. purchased the project from OwnEnergy in late 2011. The wind farm was in operation at the end of 2012 (see photo gallery below and visit our
Facebook Page for more). Photos courtesy of Marty Yahner.
