Wind Generation Potential

"Our wind studies provide data vital to determining viable wind turbine locations."

Current Status - January 2007

With the raising of five new meteorological towers, also called met towers, near Eva Creek, in the Healy area, Golden Valley Electric continues to study the possibility of adding wind generation to its system.

GVEA’s Alternative Energy Team (AET) is also collecting data from met towers located on Murphy Dome, near Fairbanks. Preliminary indications suggest there is the potential of generating up to 100 megawatts from the Murphy Dome site. Results show there is enough wind to generate power at least 30 percent of the time. For comparison, production from commercial wind farms is typically 25 percent to 35 percent of rated capacity.

A meteorologist who worked with Golden Valley to select wind sites, is reviewing the collected data. After collecting several years worth of data - between one and three years worth - he will then be able to offer recommendations on the feasibility for wind generation at the various sites GVEA is studying.

GVEA's Alternative Energy Team

The Alternative Energy Team continues to research other potential wind sites in Interior Alaska since it is in the best interest of Golden Valley and our members to find the most promising locations.

The AET is also working with Chugach Electric Association and Municipal Light and Power, both in Anchorage, on a possible wind project. These utilities are assessing the potential for a 50 to 120 megawatt wind project on Fire Island near Anchorage.

The AET meets with the Green Power Advisory Committee on a quarterly basis to keep the committee apprised of the wind study results as well as other alternative energy measures GVEA’s team is researching.

Purpose

GVEA established the Alternative Energy Team (AET) in 1999 to explore alternative and innovative methods for generating and distributing electricity. The group recommends ways GVEA can develop alternative energy and explore innovative ways of energizing customers not connected to the co-op's power grid.

Golden Valley's Alternative Energy Team:

• Engineer II Dan Bishop
• Vice President for Employee Services Dave Gardner
• Purchasing & Facilities Manager Tom Hartnell
• Energy Efficiency Specialist Todd Hoener
• Vice President for Power Supply Kate Lamal
• Manager of Systems & Network Engineering Manager Paul Morgan
• Environmental Officer Henrik Wessel

Points of Interest

Read more about what Golden Valley has been doing over the past several years to explore and research Green Power.

• "Sustainable Natural Alternative Power
• "Golden Valley's Green Goals," January 2006 Ruralite article (PDF)
• "Golden Valley Electric Pursues Green Power," February 2004 Ruralite article (PDF)
• Healy Wind Study project information
• "Golden Valley Members Give Feedback on Green Power," May 2003 Ruralite article. (PDF)
• "Golden Valley Explores Green Power," January 2002 Ruralite article (PDF)

Timeline

1998	GVEA joined Alaska Wind & Solar (AKW&S) in a wind generating demonstration project in the Healy area.
1999	Golden Valley establishes Alternative Energy Team
2000	Joint Healy wind generation demonstration project begins.
2001	Joint Healy wind generation demonstration project ends.
2002	GVEA conducts Green Power survey of membership. GVEA summarizes results in May 2003 Ruralite. (PDF) World renowned meteorologist Rich Simon helps identify five promising site for wind generation.
2003	GVEA installs two meteorological towers on Murphy Dome GVEA forms Green Power Advisory Committee
2004	Green Power Advisory Committee forwards recommendations to GVEA's Board of Directors in March 2004 (PDF) GVEA installs a third meteorological tower near Eva Creek in the Ferry area.
2005	GVEA adopts a Green Power Pledge
2006	Additional meteorological towers placed near Eva Creek.
2007	Goals: Expand study area and determine avian, land rights and power grid access issues.