Dry Lake Wind Power Project
Encyclopedia
Dry Lake Wind Power Project in Navajo County
is Arizona's first utility-scale wind farm
. Phase 1 consists of 30 Suzlon
2.1 MW wind turbine
s, for a total nameplate capacity
of 63 MW. Iberdrola Renewables built the wind farm for $100 million, and sells the output to Salt River Project
. Based on wind measurements before construction began, Iberdrola estimates phase 1 will produce an average of 132,450 MWh annually. This implies a capacity factor
of:
s on his land to measure wind speeds. He studied the local power grid to determine the feasibility of connecting a wind farm. Navajo County and Iberdrola officials credit Elkins with attracting the first wind farm to Arizona.
Phase 2 will consist of up to 31 Suzlon wind turbines for a combined nameplate capacity of 65 MW. The location of phase 2 (34.60°N 110.16°W) will be about seven miles (11 km) northwest of Snowflake
and three miles (5 km) east of phase 1.
, each 1000 MW of wind power capacity installed in Arizona will save 818 million USgals (3,096,467 m³) of water per year and eliminate 2.0 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Phase 1 of Dry Lake Wind Power Project would then eliminate:
of carbon dioxide, and save:
of water annually.
Navajo County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*49.3% White*0.9% Black*43.4% Native American*0.5% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.5% Two or more races*3.3% Other races*10.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
is Arizona's first utility-scale wind farm
Wind farm
A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used to produce electric power. A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other...
. Phase 1 consists of 30 Suzlon
Suzlon Energy
Suzlon Energy is a global wind power company based in India. In terms of market share, the company is the fifth largest wind turbine manufacturer in Asia...
2.1 MW wind turbine
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
s, for a total nameplate capacity
Nameplate capacity
Nameplate capacity, also known as the rated capacity, nominal capacity, installed capacity or maximum effect, refers to the intended technical full–load sustained output of a facility such as a power plant, a chemical plant, fuel plant, metal refinery, mine, and many others.For dispatchable power,...
of 63 MW. Iberdrola Renewables built the wind farm for $100 million, and sells the output to Salt River Project
Salt River Project
The Salt River Project is the umbrella name for two separate entities: the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, an agency of the state of Arizona that serves as an electrical utility for the Phoenix metropolitan area, and the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association, a...
. Based on wind measurements before construction began, Iberdrola estimates phase 1 will produce an average of 132,450 MWh annually. This implies a capacity factor
Capacity factor
The net capacity factor or load factor of a power plant is the ratio of the actual output of a power plant over a period of time and its potential output if it had operated at full nameplate capacity the entire time...
of:
History
Around 2003, rancher Bill Elkins began working with Northern Arizona University scientists to erect measurement towerMeasurement tower
A measurement tower is a free standing tower or a removed mast, which carries measuring instruments with meteorological instruments such as thermometers and wind velocity measurers. Measuring towers are an essential component of rocket launching sites, since one must know exact wind conditions for...
s on his land to measure wind speeds. He studied the local power grid to determine the feasibility of connecting a wind farm. Navajo County and Iberdrola officials credit Elkins with attracting the first wind farm to Arizona.
Future development
As of 2009, Iberdrola planned to install 209 more turbines in future construction phases.Phase 2 will consist of up to 31 Suzlon wind turbines for a combined nameplate capacity of 65 MW. The location of phase 2 (34.60°N 110.16°W) will be about seven miles (11 km) northwest of Snowflake
Snowflake, Arizona
Snowflake is a town in Navajo County, Arizona, United States. It was founded in 1878 by Erastus Snow and William Jordan Flake, Mormon pioneers and colonizers. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 4,958....
and three miles (5 km) east of phase 1.
Environmental effect
According to the USDOEUnited States Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government concerned with the United States' policies regarding energy and safety in handling nuclear material...
, each 1000 MW of wind power capacity installed in Arizona will save 818 million USgals (3,096,467 m³) of water per year and eliminate 2.0 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Phase 1 of Dry Lake Wind Power Project would then eliminate:
of carbon dioxide, and save:
of water annually.