Winter's Influence
As the largest in the east when built in 1997, this wind power facility offers a valuable opportunity to share information about the costs and benefits of generating electricity from the power in the wind, including environmental and societal impacts. Lessons learned in developing and operating the wind generating station are being shared with educators, industry representatives and other organizations from around the country.
Vermont is well known for its beautiful and very cold winters. Unlike most states, Vermont uses more electricity in the winter than in any other season. But the winter season also brings the strongest and most persistent winds. This gives the plant the ability to generate more electricity at the time it is most needed. In part because of that and the research funding, the cost per kilowatt-hour of energy generated at Searsburg will be comparable to alternative sources over the 25-year life of the plant. The plant reduces the need to burn fossil fuels in other parts of New England, reducing air emissions by approximately 22 million pounds a year.
The turbines' design incorporates several features that allow them to perform better in cold climates. For example, the rotor blades are black to absorb solar energy on sunny winter days, warming them enough to shed ice. The gearboxes use synthetic lubricants and heaters to assure reliable operation in cold temperatures.
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