Data analyzed from Feb. 1, 2006, through Jan. 31, 2007, determined that Hurricane only ranks as a Class 1 wind-generation site. In order for wind-generation to be a viable option, the site must rank at least a Class 4 out of 7. The analysis showed that Hurricane may get bursts of strong wind, but it simply isn't consistent enough for wind power to be a suitable option for renewable energy source. The report also stated the month with the highest average wind speed was January and the lowest was March. The wind speeds also peaked in the middle of the night and decreased in the morning.

Hurricane City Power participated in a test to see if wind-generated power would be a viable option as a renewable energy source for Hurricane. After the year-long test, the State Energy Program has determined that Hurricane is a poor site for commercial wind-generated power.

The Utah Geological Survey's State Energy Program loaned a 50-foot anemometer tower to Hurricane City for the period of just over one year.

The tower was placed 150 feet northwest of the Hurricane City Brentwood Substation. A data chip placed inside the tower recorded all necessary data. Employees from Hurricane City Power exchanged the chip once a month and sent the chip to the SEP in Salt Lake City for analysis.

Data analyzed from Feb. 1, 2006, through Jan. 31, 2007, determined that Hurricane only ranks as a Class 1 wind-generation site. In order for wind-generation to be a viable option, the site must rank at least a Class 4 out of 7.

The analysis showed that Hurricane may get bursts of strong wind, but it simply isn't consistent enough for wind power to be a suitable option for renewable energy source. The average yearly wind speed was only 10.58 mph at the site.

The report also stated the month with the highest average wind speed was January and the lowest was March. The wind speeds also peaked in the middle of the night and decreased in the morning.

"(Wind speeds) reach their lowest point late in the afternoon," the report stated.

Which means wind-power generation would not be available for use during the city's summer peak hours.

As a Class 1 wind source, "the estimated 3MW wind facility would annually produce an estimated 4,067 megawatt hours of electrical energy at a net capacity factor of 16 percent. Initial costs for the wind facility would be $11,588,489." This means Hurricane would see a negative return on wind-power generation for approximately 25 years.

Despite these findings, the report also stated "that smaller wind generation development may be warranted, e.g. <1MW, depending on the user's needs and desired economic payback of the wind system."

Web link: http://www.hvjournal.com/articles.php?id=3623&...