30 MW Generating Capacity
15 2.0 MW Gamesa Wind Turbines
Completion Date: December 2012
Owner: EverPower Wind Holdings, LLC |
In 2006, the Saint Francis University Renewable Energy Center began
data collection at a site in northern Cambria County, near the borough
of Patton, PA. Learn how this assessment led to the development of a 15
turbine wind farm.
In September of 2005, the REC received an
application to measure the wind resource in agricultural land to the
north and west of Patton. 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.
Learn more about OwnEnergy's and EverPower's roles in this project at their respective websites and see more photos.
