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WIND POWERING THE GOVERNMENT
WHY CHOOSE WIND POWER?
Wind power is the fastest-growing energy technology in the world today. By
choosing wind power, Federal agencies can reduce their electricity bills and
their use of fossil fuels to help protect the environment and increase our
nation's energy security. Modern wind energy systems can provide clean,
reliable electricity almost anywhere the wind blows. Examples of Federal
facilities currently using wind energy systems include military bases; sites
with remote communications equipment and navigation aids; and ranger
stations, visitor centers, and other park facilities.
Federal agencies can also purchase power produced by the wind, or
"green power," from electricity providers in states with both regulated and
restructured electricity markets. Green power products may not be available in
some states. But Federal agencies might want to include a provision for green
power in their request for proposals, to help stimulate the green power market.
Another option is to purchase "green tags" or "green certificates." By purchas-
ing green tags, the customer pays for the delivery of renewable energy into the
grid. The environmental benefits created by the renewable energy facility are
attributed to that customer, directly offsetting the environmental impact of the
customer's conventional energy use.Warren Gretz, NREL/PIX08688
The wind systems on San Clemente Island are reducing
smog-producing nitrogen oxides and other emissions
associated with traditional generators.--
- -
Northern Power Systems/PIX08958
The National Science Foundation found
that a hybrid wind-PV-diesel system
works well even in Antarctica's harsh
environment.The Navy:
Three Large Turbines for
San Clemente Island
To reduce the high fuel and operating costs associated with
its diesel generator systems and improve air quality, the U.S.
Navy, Department of Defense, recently installed three large
225-kilowatt wind turbines mounted on 90-foot tubular steel
towers on San Clemente Island. San Clemente, one of the
Channel Islands off the coast of southern California, is a
site for Navy activities in research, development, testing,
evaluation, and training; it covers about 57 square miles.
Purchase, installation, and other related costs for the threeturbines totaled about $2.2 million. The first two turbines were financed jointly by the Department of Defense, the
Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency through the Strategic Environmental Research
and Development Program; the third was funded chiefly through the Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management
Program. Technical assistance was provided by Wind Program staff at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Although diesel generators continue to back up the turbines when winds are very low or calm, diesel use has been greatly
reduced. Resulting fuel cost savings are projected to be more than $160,ooo annually. From February 1998 to April 2000,
the turbines produced 2 million kilowatt-hours of electric power. It is estimated they will provide at least 15% or more of
the island's electricity needs. The Navy is also considering a fourth turbine for San Clemente to use for water desalination.yv . " k
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Pitchford, P. Wind Powering the Government, book, August 2, 2000; Golden, Colorado. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc718085/m1/2/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.