Wind Energy Factoids

  • To produce electricity, each turbine requires a minimum wind speed of 8 mph, a maximum of 55 mph; at 8 mph, 9kW of electricity is produced; at 33-55 mph, 1300 kW is produced
     
  • The turbines East River Electric (in coordination with Basin Electric) is installing in Chamberlain, SD will cost between $1000-$1100 per kW installed.
     
  • The life-span of a wind turbine is projected to be 15-25 years
     
  • Costs approximately 6 cents per kilowatt hour (no margin figure in)
     
  • Wind turbines produce electricity 25-40% of the time vs. 70-90% for coal
     
  • During summer months (especially late July/early August), the wind velocities are typically low (this is a peak period of electricity usage)
     
  • Current system constraints limit North Dakota electricity exports to 1950 megawatts under normal circumstances at any moment in time (regulated by the Mid-continent Area Power Pool); even if we have more available, we can not export it to the open market
     
  • The 2 wind turbines in Chamberlain, SD (East River Electric & Basin Electric) are 197 ft. in height and have a blade diameter of 200 ft., and reach 300 ft. in height with the blade completely vertical
     
  • Top 20 States for wind energy potential:
  1. North Dakota  
  2. Texas  
  3. Kansas  
  4. South Dakota  
  5. Montana  
  6. Nebraska  
  7. Wyoming  
  8. Oklahoma             
  9. Minnesota  
  10. Iowa  
  11. Colorado  
  12. New Mexico  
  13. Idaho                 
  14. Michigan  
  15. New York  
  16. Illinois  
  17. California  
  18. Wisconsin        
  19. Maine  
  20. Missouri
  • States currently with wind power or planned wind power development:
     
    • North Dakota
    • Minnesota
    • Iowa
    • Nebraska
    • Wyoming
    • Colorado
    • New Mexico
    • Washington
    • Alaska
    • Oregon
    • California
    • Texas
    • Wisconsin
    • Michigan
    • New York
    • Vermont
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
  • For more information about wind power from Basin Electric, contact Ron Rebenitsch at Basin Electric Power Cooperative 800-242-2372 or ronreb@bepc.com or visit www.awea.org

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