Bruce Anderson, RENew Northfield, President
Interview - April 1, 2003
Facts About the Project
- The site chosen is about 3 miles east of downtown Northfield.
- It will be connected to the power grid via underground and above ground
transmission lines
- The turbine model likely to be installed is the NEG Micon NM82/1500
- A 1500 kW turbine.
- At the selected site, this turbine model is expected to have a high
(.4) capacity factor (capacity factor = actual production / theoretical capacity).
- The cost of energy production is expected to be about 4 cents/kwh.
Xcel Energy has agreed to buy the electricity at 3.3cents/kwh. With
the addition of the federal and state incentive payments for wind energy,
the project becomes a profitable venture.
- The state legislature is expected to vote in late May, 2003 on the
bill to increase the 100 MGW statewide cap on wind energy incentive payments.
Mr. Anderson is optimistic that the bill will pass.
- Mr. Anderson expects the federal incentive payment (REPI) to be authorized
beyond 2003 as well.
- The turbines will likely be operating by September, 2003.
Other Comments
- The economic viability of wind energy is indicated by the fact that
it is a growing industry that has received relatively little financial support
from the government. Mr. Anderson compares this to the tax breaks and subsidies
received by traditional energy industries such as oil, coal and nuclear.
- The RENew/NSD/Carleton project is meant as a springboard to other
community-based energy projects in Northfield.