Scientist Says Wind Turbines May Aid Crops

New research by an Iowa State University scientist reveals that wind turbines could be beneficial to adjacent crop fields.

ISU professor of geological and atmospheric science, Gene Takle, believes that wind turbines may help crops grow healthier and faster by moderating ground level temperatures, in turn blowing away fungi-producing moisture and churning the air to expose plants to more growth-promoting carbon dioxide.

Last week Takle presented the findings at a meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.

"When people think about wind turbines they think of four things birds, bats, noise and radar interference," said Takle. "They really don't consider impacts on the environment."

But Takle and University of Colorado researcher Julie Lundquist did just that.

Last summer Takle collected surface measurements of temperature, wind fluctuation and changes in carbon dioxide from fields adjacent to wind turbines. Lundquist then used a laser to determine that wind turbines create a plum of turbulence that can be measured up to 250 feet and a quarter of a mile down wind.

The next step in research is to quantify any impacts the turbines have on crop growth, said Takle.

Takle said he began look at whether turbines affect crop growth because of what he already knew about the impacts of shelter belts. Shelter belts are rows of trees that farmers plants in order to be used as wind breakers.

Takle believes that a turbines effects are the greatest in the spring and fall because they would keep crops warmer and prevent frost.

Air movement would also limit the amount of dew forming on crops which in turn would lower the chances of fungi and toxins to grown on the crop.

Lastly, extra turbulence produced from the turbine could lift carbon dioxide from the soil and make it easier for crops to absorb more of it, enhancing a plants ability to perform photosynthesis and grow.

Wind Turbine Foundation and Tower System Design Course Available Feb. 22-23rd

For those interested in training opportunities for Wind Turbine Foundation and Tower Design a course will be held February 22-23^rd in Santa Clara, California.  Attendees will:

-Develop design know-how in this rapidly developing area

-Gain in-depth understanding of the mechanics and principles of structural tower loads on foundations

-Become a valuable, contributing member of your company’s design team

-Gain working knowledge of the design of shallow through deep foundation systems for wind turbines including ground improvement

Instructors include skilled professionals from Vestas Technology, Con Tech Systems, Ltd., Renewable Energy Systems Americas, Inc., Earth Systems Global, Inc, and the University of Wisconsin Madison. 

Download the brochure and register here: http://epdfiles.engr.wisc.edu/pdf_web_files/epd/L771.pdf

Tillsonburg Selected by Siemens for Turbine Plant

Siemens has recently announced that Tillsonburg, Canada will be the home of a new wind turbine blade manufacturing facility. Siemens expects to invest more than $20 million into the project.

The creation of the facility is expected to create 300 jobs along with 600 related jobs during the construction process.

On hand to help with the announcement was Brad Duguid, Ontario's Energy Minister who said, "I've had the opportunity in the last seven day to announce 1,700 clean energy jobs across the province. That's something."

The blade factory will be located in an existing 253,000 sq. ft facility. The factory will be the first manufacturing plant for wind turbine parts in Canada.

Rene Umlauft, CEO of Siemens Renewable Energy said in a press release, "By investing in a new blade production facility in Canada, Siemens is pushing further ahead with the regionalization of its wind manufacturing network in important markets." Umlauft continued stating, "Canada is one of the Top 10 wind power markets in the world by installed capacity."

Currently Siemens has eight projects commissioned or underway in Ontario and Manitoba.

In 2009 Canada saw wind power capacity climb by 40 percent, providing enough electricity to power more than one million homes. Canada's wind power capacity is expected to continue to climb providing enough electricity for 11 percent of the country's total power generation by October 2020.

Renovations to the Tillsonburg facility will begin in late December, and it its expected to be ready for production by October 2011.

Alternative & Renewable Energy Tax News Alert

On Thursday evening Mark Baucus, Senate Finance Committee Chairman released a proposed tax legislation the "Middle Class Tax Cut of 2011," which would include permanent extensions of Bush-era tax cuts of house holds with incomes less than $250,000, changes to the estate tax, and a variety of additional business tax extensions. Developers and investors in new energy technologies are particularly int rested in proposed legislation that would renew several expired or expiring tax provisions.

For more information regarding the "Middle Class Tax Cut of 2011" click here.

Broadwind Energy to Provide Towers for Wisconsin Wind Farm

Illinios based Broadwind Energy recently revealed that its Wisconsin-based subsidiary, Tower Tech Systems will supply the Glacier Hills Wind Park project located in Central Wisconsin.

The wind farm is being developed by WE Energies with the design and construction services being provided by a partnership between the Boldt Company and Michels Corportaion.

Construction of the project began in May of this year with expectations of the turbines being installed "in the very near future."

Vestas will be manufacturing the turbines for the Glacier Hills Wind Park project and believes the turbines are capabile of generating enough power to supply up to 45,000 homes with electricity.

Wisconsin Wind Energy Facts

Wind Projects and Potential

• Wisconsin currently ranks 18th for total installed wind capacity



• Percentage of Wisconsin power provided by wind in 2009: .66%



• Wisconsin wind farms now online could power the equivalent of more than 110,000 homes



• Wisconsin's wind resource is ranked 16th in the United States



• Wisconsin's wind resources could provide over four times the states current electricity needs

Economic & Environmental Benefits

Investment in wind power is an investment in both long-term jobs in manufacturing and operations as well as temporary jobs during the construction of the wind project. In addition, wind power projects produce lease payments for farmers and increase the tax base of rural communities. Generating wind power creates no emissions and uses no water. The wind power installed in Wisconsin will avoid over 760,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

• Total direct and indirect jobs supported in 2009: 2,000-3,000



• Annual property tax payments by wind project owners: $870,000



• Annual land lease payments: $1.35 million
  

The wind industry creates opportunities for suppliers throughout the supply chain. At least 21 facilities in Wisconsin manufacture components for the wind energy industry and two more are announced.

Events

• Wisconsin exhibitors at WINDPOWER 2010: 48
  

Wisconsin Wind Works Sees Success

The Wisconsin Wind Works has seen significant growth over the past year in growing the wind energy industry in the State. The Wisconsin Wind Works is a consortium of wind energy suppliers and manufacturers established by the New North, Inc.

This year the Wisconsin Wind Works Supply Chain Directory, a listing of companies involved in producing components and providing services to the industry added 40 companies. This has brought the statewide total to 279. Of the companies 68 percent reported they are currently supplying the wind energy market. This is a 24 percent increase from 2009.

Jerry Murphy, Executive Director of the New North, Inc. is pleased with the statistics and results of the New North and Wisconsin Wind Works to promote the assets of Wisconsin and capabilities of the companies within it. “With our state’s excellent advanced manufacturers and the success of our technical colleges in training workers for this industry, people across the country are recognizing that Wisconsin is the ideal place for component production and other wind energy services.”

On October 13th, the Wisconsin Wind Works hosted a wind energy symposium in Milwaukee which drew over 300 attendees. Attendees traveled from far and wide to attend the symposium form states as far away as California, Vermont, Florida and Texas. Ninety-five of the attendees were new contacts and business leads for Wisconsin Wind Works. As a result of the symposium three new companies joined the Wisconsin Wind Works Alliance as a result of the conference.

Wisconsin Wind Works also launched its new website–www.wiwindworks.com– in October and has received hundreds of visitors from 11 countries on four different continents. The Supply Chain Directory was redesigned to be more user friendly and offer enhanced search options and include the new category of business.

“We’re excited about the potential of this industry for the New North and the state as a whole, and we look forward to continued growth and success in the coming year,” Murphy said. “We’re also excited to report further on the efforts of Wisconsin Wind Works at the upcoming New North Summit on December 3.”

The 7th annual New North Summit will be held at the Kolf Sports Center at UW-Oshkosh. The efforts of Wisconsin Wind Works will be highlighted during the event, which will also feature Oshkosh-based Renewegy, LLC demonstrating their model wind turbine.

For more information on the Summit, please visit http://www.newnorthsummit.com.