Current Westar Energy Wind Projects
Jeffrey Energy Center Turbines
Kansas is among the best states for developing wind energy. Westar Energy was the first company in Kansas to establish commercial wind generation.
Westar Energy’s first two wind turbines are at Jeffrey Energy Center, and since 1999 Westar Wind has produced approximately 2.9 million kilowatts of electricity annually.
Westar Wind Background
- Westar Energy uses state-of-the-art technology and environmentally friendly practices to provide Kansans with safe, reliable electric power.
- Westar Energy, like many Kansans, is committed to responsible environmental stewardship, as well as exploring alternative ways to meet our customers' energy needs. The Westar Wind project helps us accomplish these goals.
- Westar Energy built two 750 kW variable-speed wind turbines as part of a pilot project to determine the feasibility of using wind power to provide our customers with energy.
- The turbines, built by Zoned Development Corp., produce approximately 2.9 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually. This is enough electricity to meet the annual power needs of more than 300 households.
- Each turbine is mounted on tubular towers that stand more than 170 feet high.
- Each turbine has a three-blade rotor mounted on top that turns the turbine generator.
- The turbines have automatic sensors that gauge wind direction and speed. The turbine will turn automatically to face into the wind and vary blade pitch based on the wind’s speed. If the wind speed is too fast, the turbines' computer will set the rotors at a neutral pitch so they will stop turning. This is done to protect the system.
- The turbine will start producing power when the wind speed is 9 mph or faster and will shut off when the wind reaches a speed in excess of 65 mph.
- Each tower has a 12-foot diameter base and is anchored to a concrete mounting pad by steel retaining bolts. The bolts and concrete mounting pad extend 30 feet into the ground.
- Each rotor blade is made of fabricated fiberglass and is 75 feet long and weighs 7,600 pounds. All blades have a variable pitch that enables them to be set so that they take maximum advantage of available wind resources.
- The turbines have at least a 30-year life span.
- The land around the turbines may be used for other purposes, such as farming or grazing.
Question & Answers
Q. Why is Westar Energy involved in a wind power project? We are committed to responsible environmental stewardship, as well as exploring alternative ways to meet our customers’ energy needs. Westar Wind helps us accomplish these goals.
Q. How do the wind turbines work? Westar Energy has two 750 kW variable-speed wind turbines. They are mounted on two separate 170-foot towers. Each turbine has a three-blade rotor attached to the turbine that is turned by the wind, generating electricity.
Q. How much electricity do these wind turbines generate? The turbines produce about 2.9 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually. This is enough to meet the annual electric needs of more than 300 households, based on an average of 750 to 800 kWh of monthly electricity use.
Q. Do the wind turbines use fuel? They use only the wind to generate electricity and do not use any fossil fuels.
Q. What if the wind doesn't blow? Complete wind studies and profiles have been done of the area where the turbines stand, and they indicate the wind will be fairly consistent in this area year-round. The turbines will generate electricity only if the wind is blowing.
Q. Are these the first wind turbines in the state? Yes. These are the first two commercially operated wind turbines in the state being used by a utility.
Q. Where are the wind turbines located? The turbines are near the Jeffrey Energy Center, which is 5 miles north of St. Marys, Kan., on Highway 63. A visitor's kiosk north of the wind turbines has information about the wind turbine project.
Q. Are renewable energy and "green power" the same thing? Yes. "Green power" refers to energy that comes from renewable, environmentally friendly sources, such as the sun, water, wind, etc.
Requirements for Wind / Solar Self-Generation.
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