2/22/2007 11:16:00 AM Future electrical production could be
blowing in the region's winds
This map shows higher wind capacity areas of Fillmore County in blue. It also shows power transmission line features.
By Lisa Brainard
Joe Deden, executive director of Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, explained to the crowd present Monday evening that the center has hopes of one day - sooner than later - becoming "carbon neutral." That would mean creating clean energy to offset the carbon dioxide given off by the operation of Eagle Bluff, those attending its classes, and the forms of transportation used to get there by staff and the students they teach.
To do that, the answer, my friend, may be blowing in the wind.
A group of over 75 gathered to discuss the general feasibility of wind turbines. Topics included locations within Fillmore County and the area, spreadsheets looking at financing, government-run versus private investors, possible partnerships, setting up agreements to sell the power and maintenance.
First, Deden told the group he was especially pleased with the turnout. He had originally thought the number might be around 20. Those present came from throughout Fillmore County, as well as areas including Spring Grove.
Eagle Bluff
The program opened with a short clip from a Discovery Channel program showing carbon dioxide emissions as black chunks, coming from cars, appliances and homes. Deden stated he's figured the operation of Eagle Bluff puts out 900 tons of carbon dioxide a year into the atmosphere.
Wanting to teach both students and the public about carbon neutral, efficient energy, a wind power study was arranged by Eagle Bluff through the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Wind monitors were put in place, first at the driveway of the facility. Deden explained a tower 100 ft. tall recorded wind in an 8- to 12-miles-per-hour range.
"That's low for commercial wind. It would need to be a mom-and-pop operation," he noted.
The tower was moved to Pilot Mound, a location between Lanesboro, Chatfield and Peterson. Deden said it has "amazing wind." However, it's not ideally located. There are no adequate power lines close enough for transmission, while the nearest substation is six miles away at Peterson.
Currently, Eagle Bluff is also keeping track of wind with gauges on a cell phone tower near Fountain.
Deden then talked about maps provided in a series of handouts. He mentioned Garwin McNeilus' wind farms, or groups of turbines, near Dodge Center with more going up near Adams, then noted, "That's the same wind we have at Spring Valley."
It blows at an average of 17 to 18 miles per hour there, as well as through much of Fillmore County in locations other than valleys of the Root River and other streams.
A "capacity map" created by WindLogics for the Department of Commerce showed another vital statistic, how often the wind blows. From Spring Valley to Wykoff to Fountain and near Harmony the winds blow at 40 to 45 percent, with the capacity factor figured for a 1.65 MW (megawatt) turbine and production discounted 15 percent to represent real world conditions. Those at Eagle Bluff also heard that the winds blow more in the winter than in the summer.
Harmony area looks good
Along with good wind, another vital factor in wind production is the availability of transmission lines to carry the power.
Deden noted that through the statewide Clean Energy Resource Team (CERT), the state commissioned a study to show the location of electrical substations and lines. The concept of CERT is to keep power usage on a local level. By both producing and using it locally, the need and costs of new infrastructure is nearly nonexistent.
The map showed great potential for the area just east of the town of Harmony. Along with having excellent wind capacity, major east/west and north/south power transmission lines intersect and a substation is located there.
"We want to start looking at Harmony," stated Deden, noting that 100 megawatts of wind-generated electricity could readily be added there.
"There's money to be made," he added.
Deden said he'd be interested in starting a group to study wind power, which a handful of people volunteered for. Also, Eagle Bluff is looking at having a conference on wind power one year from now, in February 2008. When someone asked if that was too long to wait, speakers at the meeting said wind power, as an ongoing project, is here to stay.
Winona County project
Linda Grover of Harmony, who works with the Winona County Economic Development Authority (EDA) through the Southeastern Minnesota Development Corporation, talked about the "Community Winds of Winona County" project.
The EDA is looking to put up a 2 MW turbine. It's the first project by the Winona County EDA, which took over three years to establish. The first meeting of the EDA was held in July. Grover said in August the EDA learned of a grant for community-based power creation. The EDA applied for it and on Nov. 1 was awarded the $200,000 grant.
The Winona County EDA has gone through 20 steps - which Grover listed on a handout and discussed - to reach a point where it will now ask for $500,000 for an equipment down payment from the Winona County Commissioners. Grover expected that would happen within 90 days.
Partnerships were created with other entities in the county, with some funds for the project coming from three colleges, two school districts, two city EDAs and more.
Timelines were developed. Grover said a big discovery was that "clean renewable energy bonds" (CREBs) are offered by the government at no interest.
A wind study revealed that Mount Vernon Township in Winona County would be a good location for a wind turbine. The EDA has set up a lease agreement.
Grover noted a couple problems in the process. She said people had approached the wind group, hoping to own their own turbines. However, Winona County can't enter into a private partnership.
"It could be easier without a government entity (involved)," she theorized.
Also, getting the wind turbine itself presents a problem. Companies are slow to produce them, demand is high and it's hard to get just one turbine.
Audience member Kyle Colbenson of Rushford, who has put up his own 35 KW turbine, noted he'd recently checked into prices and they had taken a huge jump.
The Winona County project has to go through the county zoning process. Grover said a wind turbine ordinance needed to be developed. It will be allowed through a conditional use permit.
Working with a knowledgeable consultant on the project "is key," according to Grover.
She also cited they had signed an interconnection agreement with Xcel Energy, negotiating the rate from 3.3 cents per KW to 4.15 cents per KW.
"That's a major step," stated Grover.
When asked what would happen if the wind power project was not fully developed, Grover said this agreement can be assigned or sold.
"We're proud to lead the way with this project," she said, smiling.
More discussion
The meeting was then opened to questions and discussion. Ted Kjos with Tri-County Cooperative in Rushford stated the cooperative is limited in what it can do with local investors in wind power development, although he noted Tri-County is able to work with its patrons.
Katie Thomson, corporate communication specialist with Dairyland Power of La Crosse - from which Tri-County gets its electricity - said Dairyland invests in wind power and has a contract with Garwin McNeilus. She noted the Dairyland Board also recently approved another 20 MW purchase from his wind farm near Adams.
Kjos explained how any power provided needs to be consistent and controlled. If the power is coming from wind, there still needs to be a way to control or keep the power supply consistent when the winds die down.
Duane Bakke, a Fillmore County commissioner from the Lanesboro area, asked where Winona County would come up with the $500,000 down payment requested by the wind group. Grover answered the county would own the turbine and would be reimbursed through CREBs, the clean renewable energy bonds.
When a question on lightning strikes arose, it was noted that the Winona County business plan for the wind turbine includes a yearly fee for maintenance and insurance. It includes an extra fee after the second year in operation, going toward future turbine replacement. The wind turbine's life is estimated at 20 years, according to the "Community Winds" brochure.
Phil Dybing of Lanesboro commented that he thinks legislative changes are coming that will make wind and other clean energy more viable. One such bill under consideration would require 25 percent of electricity production by the state's utilities to come from renewable sources, such as wind turbines, by 2025.
