This one in the middle of Washington State is operated by Puget Sound Energy.
Impressive engineering, each windmill manufactured by Denmark-based Vesta weighs 223 tons, foundations between 25 and 32 feet deep in the ground, totaling 351 feet in height from the base to top of the vertical rotor blades. With 83 turbines this project outside Ellensburg WA USA produces 1,000,000 megawatt-hours of energy each year, enough to power 86,000 households.
Check out the observatory and educational center open to the public as of April 1st 2008. Many thanks to Adam at the visitor center and Puget Sound Energy Communications for sharing information about this project.
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Wow, that’s wild that those are in the middle of the state! I had no idea. It brings comfort knowing our state is using alternative energy resources such as this. Hopefully it can (or is) a model for other states/countries. Looks like you had fun learning about this. Thanks for sharing.
By: Heather on May 1, 2008
at 8:09 am
I had no idea Washington was using those! We saw a bunch of them in California (obviously) and then were surprised to see them on the outskirts of Dallas when we got here. That is awesome. We even commented that Seattle should be using them because everyone is so eco-conscious. Even though none of that matters cause mother nature will win and this planet will shake us off like a wet dog when we piss them off too much. Its all about population baby.
By: pdiddy on May 3, 2008
at 12:09 pm
This image gives a whole new meaning to “the answer is blowing in the wind.” From whirligigs to windmills to giant wind machines, I have always been fascinated with creations which harness the invisible yet powerful energy of the wind. It is my hope that we will continue to develop technologies that benefit mankind while protecting the future of our planet.
By: Sara on May 6, 2008
at 10:42 am