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As part of the 2009 Green SAP Neighborhood Project, we have set a goal to convert 200 SAP neighbors to 100% wind power. Through a program offered by Xcel Energy, residents can guarantee that their entire electricity bill is building new wind energy that would not otherwise exist.
The Impact of Wind Energy
- Purchasing a 100 kilowatt block of Windsource for one year costs less than $1 extra a month and has the same environmental benefits as not driving 2,400 miles.
- On average, each megawatt (MW) of wind energy, or 2 turbines in an average hour, reduces CO2 emissions by 1,200 pounds.
- Windsource members have created 64 turbines with the capacity of powering over 21,000 homes. All this wind energy is separate and in addition to Xcel Energy’s other legislative mandates for renewable energy.
Choosing Windsource
- Windsource can be purchased in 100 kWh blocks, each block costing about $0.70, or you have the option to choose 100% Windsource. A new Windsource customer is required to make a 1 year commitment.
- An average St. Anthony Park household uses 502 kWh a month, which means that going 100% Windsource will add about $3.50 a month to their bill, or about one latte a month!
- Windsource customers are exempted from paying a separate fuel cost because wind energy does not use the fossil fuel. In July 2008 Windsource users actually saved money on their electricity bill compared to non-Windsource customers.
- The wind energy you purchase does not go directly to supporting your home but to the larger Minnesota energy grid. This money has helped to fund new wind turbines as well as a new wind farm.
- Xcel Energy is held accountable for using Windsource funds appropriately by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and they are Green-e certified by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) since 2005.
Commonly Asked Questions about Wind Energy
Q. How does a wind turbine work?
A. Wind Turbines work the opposite of how electric fans work, instead of using electricity to make wind, turbines use wind to generate electricity. Wind turns the three blades which spin a shaft that connects to a generator and makes electricity.
Q. Doesn’t wind energy fluctuate, making it an unreliable source of energy?
A. Wind generators do fluctuate in how many kilowatt-hours they supply but due to both a grid system and the geographical diversity of wind turbines it should not be worse than other forms of electricity. Currently wind energy is supplying Minnesota with about 5% of its energy needs but as can be seen in Germany, where it supplies 20%, wind energy can be relied on.
Q. Do wind turbines have a negative effect on nearby residents?
A. Turbines noise has been complained about but due to advancing technologies the rotars are moving slower which reduces noise. Noise has only been a real problem when the turbine is on a hill close to the resident’s houses below. This can be dealt with by choosing the location carefully. The area around turbines can still be used for farming, having a wind turbine in the area creates new jobs due to building and maintenance.
Q. Don’t wind turbines kill birds?
A. Less than 1 in 10,000 human-caused bird deaths are due to wind turbines. Birds are most affected when a turbine is on their migratory path or in locations where there are many turbines close together. New technology has made is so that rotars are moving slower reducing the number of bird deaths as well as being careful about locations so they are not on a migratory path.
