Eat your heart out, California, but little middle-of-America Iowa is closer to hitting the halfway mark to 100% powered by wind than you are. MidAmerican’s recently announced around its new Wind XII project which will position the company to hit its 100% renewable energy goal and significantly contribute to Iowa’s ongoing leadership in renewable energy.…
Iowa’s Wind XI to generate $48 million/yr state, local project expenditures and more
When the 2,000-megawatt Wind XI project is completed, Iowa’s annual renewable energy generation is expected to reach a level that’s equivalent to approximately 85% of our Iowa retail customers’ annual use.
Wind supplied Iowa with more than 31% of its electricity last year
If there are bragging rights in passing the milestone, they go to Iowa. Over 31% of the state’s in-state electricity generation came from wind last year.
Building Energy to build its first wind project in U.S.
The $55 million project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, according to the company project schedule.
ACCIONA Windpower to supply turbines for 30-MW Iowa wind project
ACCIONA Windpower, an ACCIONA group subsidiary dedicated to the designing and manufacturing wind turbines, has completed a turbine-supply agreement with Building Energy for a 30-MW wind project located in central Iowa. Building Energy is a global renewable energy company with experience in 24 countries worldwide. Under the agreement, ACCIONA Windpower will deliver 10 AW125-3000 turbines,…
MidAmerican to invest millions in new wind development
MidAmerican Energy Company has filed plans with the Iowa Utilities Board for the development of up to 552 megawatts (MW) of new wind generation in Iowa. The company is currently in the process of obtaining necessary permits and easements for the construction of wind farms at two new sites.Pending IUB approval, MidAmerican Energy plans to…
Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition welcomes new team
The Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition has welcomed Washington Governor Jay Inslee and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad as its new Chairman and Vice Chairman. “States continue to play a leading role developing the nation’s renewable energy resources, and capturing the jobs and economic benefits that these growing clean energy industries provide,” said Governor Inslee. “Washington state’s…
Iowa State engineers study benefits of adding a second, smaller rotor to wind turbines
Hui Hu picked up a 3-D printed model of a typical wind turbine and began explaining two problems with the big, tall, three-bladed machines. First, said the Iowa State University professor of aerospace engineering, check out the base of each blade. They’re big, round structural pieces. They’re not shaped like an airfoil. And so they…
2014 Influencer U.S. Senator, Iowa, Chuck Grassley
No one in Washington, D.C., is a bigger champion of the wind energy production tax credit than U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, according to Bob Eschliman, the news editor at a suburban paper outside Des Moines, Iowa. Indeed, Grassley is the father of the wind energy tax credit, having sponsored the first-ever provision enacted in 1992, and…
Turbine OEM wins two new orders for Iowa
Nordex USA, Inc. has received two new orders from wind farm developer RPM Access, LLC for their Hawkeye Wind Farm in Fayette County and the Rippey Wind Farm in Green County. The orders for 35 N100/2500 turbines increase Nordex’ capacity in Iowa to 130 MW, enough to generate electricity for 39,000 homes. Power from the…
Wind rebounds in 2Q, but continued growth depends on consistent tax policy
U.S. wind energy continued to rebound in the second quarter, with 2,151 MW of electrical generating capacity installed in the first half of 2011 versus 1,250 MW during the same time in 2010, up 72%. However, analysts at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) cautioned that without stable policy such as an extension of the…
High voltage dc line planned to cross Iowa
Although wind development is surging in many states, transmission developments lag. The problem is conventional transmission lines. They are hobbled by a lack of capacity. Clean Line Energy Partners have several plans to address the issue. One, the Rock Island Clean Line, is a proposal to construct and operate a roughly 500-mile overhead electrical transmission…
Iowa wind group says ‘aim high’ for a production goal
The Iowa Wind Energy Association says it supports of a goal of expanding the wind energy capacity in Iowa from its current 3,670 MW to 10 GW (10,000 MW) by 2020 and to 20 GW by 2030. Executive director Harold Prior says the expansion would increase jobs, salaries, farm income and property taxes. A source…
Iowa Senate approves RE funds
The Iowa Senate recently approved a measure providing up to $10 million a year in tax credits for the installation of wind and solar power generators at homes, businesses and farms. The Senate bill provides up to $15,000 for businesses and farms and $3,000 for homeowners that install wind turbines or solar panels. However, the…
Hawkeyes plans on exporting power
The state of Iowa is continuing its leadership in wind energy and showcasing the state‘s forward-looking strategy to develop alternative energy sources for the economy of the future. Well on the path to generate 20% of its electricity from wind turbines, the state is receiving recognition from several key government and industry leaders who say…
Wind training in Iowa
New turbines don’t need a lot of attention. But as one condition-monitoring expert recently remarked, no turbine runs better with age. The industry will need a steady supply of technicians to maintain the thousands of turbines coming off warranties. How can interested people connect with such long-term work? Brian Crowe, project manager at the Iowa…