Performance
Data (1998 - present)
Wind speed
data has been collected at the Medicine Bow Wind Project Site since
the late 1970’s. From that time through mid-1999, the data
was recorded onto printed tape. Five years worth of these data (1987-
1992) were transcribed into digital format to enable computer analysis
of wind patterns and development of energy projections for different
types of wind turbines being considered.
Platte River purchased
the assets of the Medicine Bow Wind Project in 1998 and added wind
turbines in three phases until 2000. These additions are reflected
in the tables below.
In 1998, Platte
River began the process of upgrading the data gathering systems at
its Medicine Bow site. Anemometers were added at heights corresponding
to turbine hub heights, and temperature, barometric pressure, and wind
direction sensors were added or upgraded. Along with the new measuring
instruments, electronic data logging equipment was added to make data
transfer and analysis less cumbersome.
The performance
data tables are intended to provide summaries of data we are collecting
and analyzing on an ongoing basis. It is our hope that this information
will be valuable to people interested in wind energy, as we share our
experience related to this clean, renewable energy resource.
