As of December 15, 2008 all 41 turbines at Cedar Ridge Wind Farm, Alliant Energy’s first company owned and operated wind facility, officially began producing electricity for Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) customers.
On May 9, 2007 WPL received unanimous approval from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) to build Cedar Ridge Wind Farm in the Towns of Eden and Empire in Fond du Lac County. Ground was officially broken in October 2007, and construction wrapped up the following fall.
Spread over 12.2 square miles (7,800 acres) the Cedar Ridge site offers a high capacity factor, which means there is adequate wind to regularly produce electricity. The 41 turbines produce approximately 68 megawatts of emissions-free energy – enough to power about 17,000 homes a year.
In the next 20 years, Cedar Ridge Wind Farm is expected to offset as much as 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, 3,500 tons of nitrogen oxides, 6,000 tons of sulfur dioxides and 50 pounds of mercury. The carbon dioxide avoided is roughly the equivalent of taking 155,000 standard-size automobiles off the road each year.
The Administration Building at Cedar Ridge is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified. LEED is a performance-oriented rating system where building projects earn points for satisfying criteria designed to
address specific environmental impacts inherent to the design, construction and operation of the building.
Among the attributes helping it earn the Gold LEED standard are:
In addition to housing the day-to-day operations at Cedar Ridge, this building also houses an education center where school groups or community groups can come tour the facility, learn about wind energy and what they can do to make smart energy choices in the years to come.
Wind Farm Facts | Photos | Map | Questions & Answers
Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Facts:
Photos:
Photo gallery: Turbine construction
Photo gallery: October 2007 groundbreaking ceremonies
Map:
Plant and facilities map [PDF]
Questions and Answers
Why was WPL interested in this site?
We are committed to maintaining our strong renewable presence in the state of Wisconsin. The Cedar Ridge site offers a high capacity factor, which means there is adequate wind in this part of the state to regularly produce electricity for WPL customers.
How much electricity is generated by Cedar Ridge Wind Farm?
Cedar Ridge generates approximately 170,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year, or enough to power approximately 17,000 homes.
How many turbines are there at Cedar Ridge Wind Farm?
Cedar Ridge Wind Farm has 41 turbines spread out over 12.2 square miles (7,808 acres.)
Will my electricity supply depend on the wind blowing?
No. All customers continue to receive a constant flow of electricity from WPL. As wind-powered electricity is added to the grid, other generators will be turned down or off to maintain the balance.
Who is the manufacturer of the turbines at Cedar Ridge Wind Farm?
Vestas Wind Systems made all 41 wind turbines at Cedar Ridge Wind Farm. WPL announced the purchase of the Vestas V82 turbines in July 2007. Each turbine is capable of producing 1.65 megawatts of electricity. Vestas has a long history of wind development and has installed over 32,500 wind turbines in more than 60 countries worldwide.
What type of lighting is needed around the wind turbines?
The only lighting on the wind turbines is mandatory FAA lighting on the top of the wind turbine to alert aircraft.
Do the wind turbines produce noise?
Wind turbines only produce measurable noise when they are operating, but it is not disruptive to most people in most situations. Per the Joint Development Agreement between WPL and the Towns of Eden and Empire, no Cedar Ridge turbine may exceed 50 decibels from the nearest non-participating landowner’s residence without written permission from the landowner. (Fifty decibels is approximately the volume level of a normal person-to-person conversation.)
Will the landowners still be able to use the land around the wind turbines?
With the exception of a 50’ x 50’ parcel directly surrounding the wind turbine’s base and a narrow access road, landowners will be able to utilize all the land surrounding the wind turbine. Many farm roads can double as access roads, reducing non-usable land even further.
Costs and Economic Impacts:
Will Cedar Ridge Wind Farm help the economy in Eden and Empire or Fond du Lac County?
“Shared Revenue” payments are made each year to the city, village, or township and the county in which the facility is located. We estimate that the Shared Revenue payment from Cedar Ridge Wind Farm could generate as much as $400,000 per year.
Per Wisconsin law, shared revenue would be divided in the following way: one-third of the money would go to the towns of Eden and Empire, and two-thirds to Fond du Lac County.
There are also anticipated increased revenues to local businesses (hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc.) during the construction phase of the project.
Environment:
How will Cedar Ridge Wind Farm benefit Wisconsin’s environment?
By offsetting the need for traditional fossil fuel generation, Cedar Ridge Wind Farm is helping Wisconsin’s environment. Over the next 20 years, the wind farm is expected to offset as much as 4.5 million tons of carbon dioxide, 3,500 tons of nitrogen oxides, 6,000 tons of sulfur dioxides, and 50 pounds of mercury. The carbon dioxide avoided is roughly the equivalent of taking 155,000 standard-size automobiles off the road each year.
Does Cedar Ridge Wind Farm harm birds or bats?
The impact of wind farms on birds or bats is mostly determined by flight patterns of birds and bats in the area. Avian studies were completed during the early project planning stages to determine any potential impacts to birds. According to studies by Curry and Kerlinger, L.L.C., “collision risk to birds at the Cedar Ridge Wind Power Project is likely to be minimal.”
The Wisconsin DNR Office of Energy conducted an endangered resources review which found no known bat hibernation areas in the vicinity of the Cedar Ridge site, so impact to bats is also expected to be minimal.
Were any other studies done to evaluate the environmental impact of this project?
In addition to avian studies, a wetland survey and a review of the State Historical Society’s archaeological and historical resources database were completed.
Construction procedures for the wind farm will mitigate the impact on identified wetlands within the project boundary, and no historic buildings will be impacted. WPL will comply with all federal, state and local environmental regulations during the construction and operations phases.
Will Cedar Ridge Wind Farm help WPL meet its portion of the Wisconsin Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) by 2015?
WPL was a supporter of the RPS, which says 10% of Wisconsin’s power must come from renewable sources by 2015. Cedar Ridge Wind Farm will help us meet our portion of the RPS by 2015.
