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News Release
For Release June 12, 2006
Contact: Jim Cooper, Key Accounts & Marketing Mgr., Traverse City Light & Power
Phone: (231) 932-4560 or E-mail: jcooper@tclp.org
Contact: Phil Callighan, Sr. Account Executive, Knorr Marketing
Phone: (231) 947-9707, ext. 207; Mobile: (231) 342-7590
or E-mail: philc@knorrmarketing.com
Light & Power’s Wind Turbine Marking 10th Anniversary!
(Traverse City, Michigan) — In June of 1996, Light & Power became the first Michigan municipal electric utility to install a utility scale wind turbine (or windmill). At the time of construction, with a blade diameter of 144 feet on a 160-foot tower, it was the largest operating wind turbine in the country! Today, close to 8 million kilowatt hours will have been generated by the wind turbine that provides power to 110 homes and 15 business customers who have requested L&P’s green rate.
“We want to extend a special thanks to our green rate customers,” said Linda Johnson, chairman of the L&P Board of Directors. “Their choice to pay a little more for electricity has made the environment the chief beneficiary, because there are no emissions or discharges involved with this energy. The wind turbine is an excellent example of our commitment to renewable energy that can promote regional economic development, increase our energy security, and protect the environment for generations to come.”
According to L&P, the average residential customer using the green rate annually
avoids the burning of three tons of coal and the release of 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide by choosing wind energy. Turbine-generated electricity also provides an inflation-free electric supply.
Wind Turbine Statistics
Tower height 160 ft.
Rotor Swept Area 16,300 sq. ft.
Rotor/Blade Weight 19,000 lbs.
Nacelle/Generator Weight 38,100 lbs.
Rotor Diameter 144 ft.
Rotor Hub Height 164 ft.
Peak Electric Output 600 kilowatts
Peak Power Output Starts 32 mph
Generator Voltage 480 VAC
Controller - Automatic
Yaw system – Automatic
Traverse City Light & Power (www.tclp.org) is a community-owned, community- focused municipal utility that offers energy at low rates in the region to over 10,000 customers in Traverse City, and parts of Blair, East Bay, Elmwood, Garfield, Peninsula and Paradise townships.
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