Like the Wind

Last week I attended a presentation by a gentleman from NREL
(National Renewable Energy Laboratory) who is down here working
with the Kiwi folks building the wind turbines on Arrival Heights.
I was particularly interested since NREL is located in Golden,
Colorado and we have driven by it many times. He said a lot of
interesting stuff about the turbine project, which I have highlighted
several times here, but I was most interested about what he had to
say about wind power and alternative power in general being
implemented in the United States. I found out that one needs an
almost constant wind velocity of 12-13 mph for wind power to be
effective and also why there isn't a wind farm at my former
working location at Rocky Flats (only 9 mph). He also discussed
solar energy a bit, which was particularly interesting since that
would be our best bet in Grand Junction. Overall, I walked away
with many questions about renewable energy answered and I felt
motivated to implement it in our daily lives.

Wind Power

A project that is moving along quickly this season
is the Wind Turbine Project that the Kiwis are
constructing on Arrival Heights between McMurdo
and Scott Base. I found these photos on the
common computer drive here of the progress that
is being made.


These towers are huge. Similar in size to those
found back in the real world, but they are
definitely the tallest things around, considering
the tallest building here is only three stories
tall.


When finished, they will supply all of the energy
that Scott Base needs and about one quarter of all
of the power for McMurdo. Being this is probably
the windiest place I've ever lived, there will be
no shortage of fuel supply, while definitely
lessening our dependency on fuel being shipped in
each year.

Just A Little

This shot was taken yesterday from Arrival Heights above
town. The light is getting closer! Looks like we have
some Nacreous Cloud action too!