Wind-Based Energy Projects

Wind power uses the wind’s naturally-occurring energy for such practical purposes as generating electricity, charging batteries, or pumping water. Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy in the wind, converting it into electrical energy. Utility-scale turbines are mounted on tall towers, usually 100 feet or more above the earth's surface where the wind is faster and less turbulent. In utility-scale power applications, anywhere from one or two to several hundred turbines are connected to the utility grid, providing electricity when the wind blows.
 
For over a decade, wind energy has been the fastest growing energy technology worldwide, achieving an annual growth rate of over 30-percent. In 2001, worldwide installed wind capacity surpassed 23,000 megawatts, or MW. In the United States, more than 1,700 MW of new wind projects were installed in 2001, bringing total U.S. installed capacity to approximately 4,200 MW. Approximately 330 MW of this installed capacity is located on BLM-administered public lands in the western states.
 
Proposed wind energy projects on public lands administered by the BLM Ely District are:
  • Nevada Wind Co. and Horizon Wind have identified a project area on Table Mountain/Mt. Wilson and have installed several anemometers at the site. Nevada Wind is in the wind monitoring process to acquire the data for a possible wind generation project. 
  • Nevada Wind Co. and LS Power, LLC, have identified a project area on the north Egan Range, and have installed anemometers at the site, and are today in the wind monitoring process to acquire data. The BLM Ely District expects Nevada Wind and LS Power in 2007 to submit an application for a wind generation facility.
  • Nevada Wind, and LS Power, LLC, has a ROW for anemometers and a project area for the Antelope Range, and ROW applications for anemometers and a project area in the South Schell Creek range.
  • Spring Valley Wind, LLC, has identified a project area in North Spring Valley, and have installed anemometers at the site, and are today in the wind monitoring process to acquire data for a possible wind generation project. 
  • Invenergy, LLC, has submitted an application for two project areas and anemometers located in North Spring Valley. The requests are further north of the Spring Valley Wind request.
  • Power Partners, LLC, has a ROW for anemometers and a project area for the Diamond Range, and are today in the wind monitoring process to acquire data for a possible wind generation project. 
  • Enexco, has a ROW for anemometers and a project area for the No. Egan Range, and are today in the wind monitoring process to acquire data for a possible wind generation project.