Northwest Non-Profit Groups Launch Wind Co-op
 
Renewable Energy Today
Wednesday, April 17, 2002
A Daily News Summary Covering Wind, Solar, Biomass, and Other Renewable Energy Technologies
 
The Northwest Cooperative Development Center (NWCDC) and the Northwest Sustainable Energy for Economic Development (NWSEED) recently announced the finalization of negotiations with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the launch of a wind power cooperative that will coordinate and install 10 small wind power systems on farms, ranches and rural facilities over the next 18 months.
 
The goal of the project, known as "Our Wind Co-op," is to demonstrate that distributed, locally owned wind turbines producing power to meet local needs are feasible and cost-effective. The 10-kilowatt wind turbines installed in most locations under the project will be manufactured by Bergey Excel.
 
NWSEED executive director Heather Rhoads-Weaver said more than 50 interested landowners, investors, installers and host utilities have responded to co-op interest survey. Although the group has planned for the development of up to 100 kilowatts of windpower, Bonneville Environment Foundation vice president and project sponsor Rob Harmon said planners are looking to expand the project to generate nearly one megawatt of electricity.
 
Project organizers will select the sites for the wind power generation facilities based on the wind resources and public visibility of each applicant. The hosts will receive hands-on training, turbine siting, installation and ongoing maintenance.
 
Contact: Heather Rhoads-Weaver, NWSEED, phone 206-328-2441, e-mail info@nwseed.org.