American Wind, Nordic Expertise
USA is a world leader in wind power with a total installed capacity of over 35000 MW. Nordic expertise is currently involved in a number of wind projects in the U.S.
Vestas in the West. A turbine from Vestas is installed every four hours. The ones in the picture are producing electricity in Solano in California. Nordic companies are involved in a number of wind projects in USA (Photo: Vestas)
In 2008 the installed wind projects in the U.S. produced a 1,25 % of the nations electricity. Denmark generates 20 % of its electricity from wind power, and has been an innovator and market leader in the field for almost 100 years. Today nearly half of all wind turbines sold globally are produced by Danish companies such as Vestas. The investments made in wind energy the last five years have placed the U.S. on a trajectory equal Denmark’s 20 % of electricity from wind by 2030, as long as the industry continues to garner long-term policy support.
Nordic expertise has been involved in developing American wind farms for over 30 years, and is still involved as the U.S. build wind farms both on shore and offshore, in deep and shallow waters, on windy plains and in rough weather conditions.
Offshore
The world’s largest offshore wind farm currently resides in Denmark. The Horns Rev 2 wind farm, run by Dong Energy, is located in the North Sea 30km off the coast of western Jutland. The 91 turbines, which have a total production capacity of 209 megawatt, supplies power equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of 200,000 households. In cooperation with local government, Nordic companies are currently exploring the possibilities of constructing offshore wind farms in the U.S.
The world's first floating windmill. The Hywind windmill is developed by Statoil. It extends 100 meters below the surface and can be placed at ocean depths of between 120 and 700 meters (Photo: Statoil)
The Hywind project, Maine
As offshore wind installations has gained popularity, Norwegian companies’ decades long experience in planning, designing and constructing floating offshore installations has become relevant for the wind energy sector. In 2009 Statoil presented the world’s first floating windmill: The Hywind project. Statoil have signed a letter of intent with the governor of Maine, USA, to examine the possibility for a medium-sized wind park in the waters outside Cape Cod.
The Aegir project, Michigan
Scandia Wind Offshore (SWO) is being formed in response to the compelling attributes of West Michigan for offshore wind farm development. SWO is conducting a feasibility study in the waters outside of Mason and Oceana counties for a 1,000 Megawatt (MW) wind farm, the Aegir Project, and plans to leverage the many years of offshore wind farm development experience of its Norwegian partner, Havgul Clean Energy. Technical analysis is underway as well as an information exchange with the local community, local government officials, and the State of Michigan.
Vestas turbines at The Wild Horse Wind Farm near Ellensburg, WA with Mount Rainier in the background. (Photo: aa7ae / CC BY 2.0)
On shore
The windmill has a long history in the USA. Both the waterpumping self governing windmil and the electricity generating windmilll were invented in America in the eitghteen hundreds. The self governing windmills automatically turned to face changing wind directions and controlled their own speed of operation. These windmills were crucial to the pioneers in the new world. For decades these windmills dominated the plains of the American heartland. When new and cheaper ways of producing energy was introduced, the windmills gradually disappeared. Today Nordic companies are involved in bringing them back.
The Mariah Project
Scandia Wind Southwest are currently in the process of planning one of the world's largest wind farms in Parmer county Texas. The Mariah Project is a plan to develop upwards of 3000 MW of wind energy in Parmer county, plus several thousand MW more in the region. It will take a project of this size to make a grid project financially attractive. When completed, the Mariah project will include a total of 5000 MW in the Panhandle of Texas. Sites to contain the additional 2000 MW are currently under evaluation.
Vestas
Vestas has installed more than 35.000 Wind turbines in 63 countries, and every four hours a new Vestas turbine is installed somewhere in the world. The Danish wind giant delivers turbines to a number of projects in the U.S.
The Glacier Hills Wind Park, Wiscounsin
In May 2009, We Energies signed a conditional agreement with Vestas Wind Systems as the preferred supplier for 90 wind turbines. The agreement calls for the supply and maintenance of the Vestas V90-1.8 megawatt turbine. "Our experience with the Vestas V82 turbine at our Blue Sky Geen Field project has surpassed projections," says Rick Kuester, Executive Vice President of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, the parent company of We Energies. "The Vestas V90-1.8 delivers the lowest overall cost for customers and is a good fit with the wind resource at the site."
The Granite Reliable Power windpark, New Hampshire
Vestas will supply 33 V90-3.0 MW wind turbines to New Hampshire, USA, after receiving an order from Granite Reliable Power Windpark. The 99-MW project is majority-owned by Noble Environmental Power. This is Vestas’ second major project in New England, USA. Vestas supplied 22 V90-3.0 MW turbines for the Kibby I project in Maine that went online in October 2009, and is currently installing an additional 22 V90-3.0 MW units for Kibby II. Commissioning is expected in the first half of 2010.
