If you haven’t heard the recent buzz around the Harbor, a pretty substantial wind project is being erected in Grayland, WA. The substantial nature of the project is not because of it’s size or scale, though. In fact, the current project consists a mere four turbines and as the pictures show, these are pretty typical size for modern turbines (although they always feel HUGE when you’re next to them). What’s truly unique and substantial about the project is how the generated electricity will be utilized. It’s the kind of thing that makes me think “Duh!” but then I feel all warm and fuzzy because it actually is being done.
These four turbines will be selling their generated energy to the local public utility (Grays Harbor PUD) to generate revenue. One of the estimates that I read projects energy sales of around $500,000 annually. Healthy chunk of money for just harnessing power; money out of nothing, eh?
So, half a mil annually… and where does it go? This part blew my mind:
…the profits that are earned from it is going to be used for funding a number of social service programs of CCAP [Coastal Community Action Program] including those like meals on wheels & home care assistance to seniors, AIDS medical management and transportation services for disable people.
This is amazing news for… quite simply: everyone!
- Green power: depending on their capacity, four 1.5MW turbines making (optimally) 6MW should be enough for around 1500 houses… SOLD THROUGH GRAYS HARBOR PUD!!! This should be coming right back to us Harborites which means a substantial increase in sustainable energy percentages for everyday power… just like that. Now, capacity factor used to be 35% but given the technology and the available wind around here, I would think this percentage could be a little higher.
- Project funding: Social programs seem to be a high risk group for funding cuts, these days. Our community has a great deal of individuals that would suffer a great loss if program funding were cut. I’m sure an extra half-million could really help in the right places.
- Paving the way for a new, green energy infrastructure and understanding: The whole project represents a big change in the understanding of how energy can be generated and implemented, especially on a smaller scale. The market for energy is always there and (unfortunately) is still growing. A decentralized grid means less waste, more community building and big opportunities for cash flow to stay local.
I’m excited about this and really can’t wait to see these things turning in the breeze. Really haven’t heard much from the PUD about the whole ordeal but I expect something soon. It’s really up to them to see how the energy is implemented. Fingers crossed, eh?
I hopped over the bridge into Cosi really quick to see if I could catch one of these trucks rolling by. Kind of mediocre pictures but if you didn’t get to see these things passing though, this gives you an idea of what we should be seeing in Grayland pretty soon! Assembled, of course.
