Stateline Wind Project

The Stateline Wind Project (coord|46|2|13.98|N|118|48|23.74|W) is a wind farm located on Vansycle Ridge, which receives 16 to 18 mph average wind speeds from the Columbia Gorge, on the border between Washington and Oregon in the United States. With 186 turbines currently operating in both states and 279 more approved for construction,cite web | url = http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/SWP.shtml | title = Stateline Wind Project | publisher = Oregon Department of Energy | accessdate = 2006-05-15] it is the largest wind project in the Northwestern United States and will be the largest in the world. [cite book | last = Brown | first = Lester R. | coauthors = Janet Larsen, Bernie Fischlowitz-Roberts | title = The Earth Policy Reader | origdate = 2002-10-01 | publisher = W. W. Norton & Company | id = ISBN 0-393-32406-0] cite web | url = http://www.3phases.com/facilities/StatelineWindProject.pl | title = Stateline Wind Prokect | publisher = 3Phases Energy Services | accessdate = 2006-05-15] Costing $300 million to build, it began operation in 2001.cite web | url = http://www.rnp.org/Projects/stateline.html | title = Stateline Wind Energy Center | publisher = Renewable Northwest Project | accessdate = 2006-05-15]

The project employs 660kW capacity Vestas wind turbines, which collectively will produce a maximum electrical output of 306.9 MW. (The current operating capacity is 122.8 MW.) On average, the project is expected to produce 30 to 35 percent of that capacity year-round. Turbines are controlled individually by electronic systems which direct them into the wind and adjust the pitch of the blades to maximize electrical production at any wind speed from 7 to 56 mph. The turbines automatically shut down at wind speeds excess of 56 mph, a feature which allows them to withstand hurricane-force winds.

The wind turbines are grouped in strings of 5 to 37 turbines, each turbine spaced approximately 250 feet from the next, generally slightly downwind of the crest of ridges. Each turbine tower is 166 feet tall, with blades 76 feet wide. [cite web | url = http://www.b-e-f.org/renewables/stateline.shtm | title = Stateline Wind Project | publisher = Bonneville Environmental Foundation | accessdate = 2006-05-15]

Environmental impact studies determined that the site was not used extensively by birds or other species vulnerable to injury from turbines, and the turbine towers' construction, along with the use of underground power lines, was designed to minimize perching places for birds. The area around the project is used primarily for private farming, including dryland wheat farming and cattle grazing.

The Stateline Wind Project is several miles northwest of the Vansycle Wind Project in Umatilla County, Oregon. Both are owned and operated by Florida Power & Light.

ee also

*Bonneville Environmental Foundation
*Wind power in the United States

References

External links

* [http://www.rnp.org/Projects/stateline.html Renewable Northwest Project] site.
* [http://egov.oregon.gov/ENERGY/SITING/SWP.shtml Oregon government] site.