 The bright spot in using wind as an everyday energy source is that
it is renewable and has no emissions that threaten the environment.
It also reduces dependency on foreign oil. Harnessed locally, it
provides jobs that contribute to the economy, added income for
landowners and increased property tax income that supports rural
schools and roads.
Rail Splitter was developed by
Horizon Wind Energy, a
subsidiary of the world's fourth- largest wind generation company,
Energias de Portugal, SA (EDP.LS).
Of the 67-turbine farm that spans 18,000 acres, 29 of the turbines
occupy land in northern Logan County and 38 of its turbines are in
Tazewell County.
The construction phase for the Logan County portion began in
November, after Tazewell's, and was completed in May.
Project manager Bill Whitlock explained that the final phase of
activating each turbine is a gradual process that began in June.
"Our goal is to become commissioned and commercially operational as
quickly as possible. The crews are out there working diligently to
do that," he said.
Before a turbine is commissioned there is a two-phase full
inspection. For one, the turbine has an all-over mechanical
inspection. There is also a mechanical inspection and testing of the
electrical components in each turbine.
Electricity first flows from the turbines through underground
cables to a project substation. From that substation it needs to get
to an interconnect substation that can put it onto the grid, which
goes to the open market.
A portion of the project this spring was to develop those
connections. Horizon had to construct about 11 miles of overhead
transmission lines connecting the project substation to the closest
interconnect substation, which is located north of San Jose.
While Whitlock did not know the exact number of turbines that are
operational, because it changes every day, he could say that as of
right now some turbines are producing electricity that's being put
out on the grid. He was confident in saying "they all should be
fully commissioned and operational in August."
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It was in February 2007, at the Logan County Soil and Water
Conservation's annual dinner, that the project was first publicly
announced. Site research was in the second of a three-year wind
study. Already project managers were beginning work on the mammoth
checklist of other required studies and processes needed for permits
and contracts. Once wind tests came back with favorable reports,
things really began to move. Identifying properties and getting
tentative landowner contracts commenced. The company also began work
on getting the necessary licenses, permits and zoning amendments
from local, state and federal agencies. With all approvals and
contracts in hand, the complex dance of readying sites for the
construction phase was ready to begin. It was then November 2008.
Even with all the wet, icy, nasty weather that Mother Nature
could dish up this past winter, and then record-breaking spring
rains, the project has still come in on time.
"We're all very pleased and gratified that the Rail Splitter
project is now almost complete," Whitlock said. "We believe this
project is going to provide the community with a lot of benefits for
many, many years to come."
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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