MAJOR WIND FARM IN
PACIFIC NORTHWEST BEGINS OPERATION

Project One of First in Wave of New Wind Farm Development

Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm, the first commercial wind energy facility to be built in Oregon as well as the Pacific Northwest in more than a decade, will be celebrated at a commencement ceremony Thursday, December 4. Providing clean electricity since early November, the 24.9-megawatt project is bringing green power to more than 6,000 homes and businesses in Oregon.

FPL Energy, Inc., of North Palm Beach, Fla., is hosting state and local leaders as well as project participants at the event. Portland General Electric of Portland, Ore., has agreed to purchase 100% of the power generated at the facility for 30 years, while Vestas-American Wind Technology of North Palm Springs, Calif., is furnishing V-47 660-kilowatt wind turbines for the site.

"FPL Energy is proud to play a major role in providing this environmentally-favorable electric energy source to the Pacific Northwest," said Michael Yackira, president of FPL Energy. "We appreciate the strong support for this project from all facets of the Oregon community."

At first, the Vansycle Ridge project underwent some scrutiny from regional environmental and avian groups expressing concern about wind turbine interaction with local habitat and wildlife. In order to address these issues, FPL Energy worked extensively with the groups to build and operate a wind farm that is respectful of the land, wildlife and other natural resources. Additionally, FPL Energy committed to monitoring the impact of the wind facility on avian and bat species.

"By applying lessons learned from earlier wind projects, we've created a renewable electric energy facility that will have minimal effect on the environment," said Yackira.

"Vansycle is a great example of clean, renewable energy, and it is supported by the tribes, environmentalists and industry," said Rachel Shimshak, Director of the Renewable Northwest Project. "We are thrilled to see the first commercial-scale wind project in Oregon which will contribute to a sustainable future for us and our children."

"The Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm will set the standard for the Pacific Northwest with its comprehensive approach to design," said Randall Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association. "This clean power facility was carefully engineered with input from numerous entities, and is an excellent example of wind power's ability to minimize environmental impact. It also moves the Pacific Northwest one step closer to a power system based on green, renewable energy sources."

The Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm consists of 38 wind turbines in two strings; 28 turbines on the A String and 10 on the B String. The site spans 2 1/2 miles and occupies almost 8 acres, including roadways. Approximately 3 1/2 miles of underground cable and five miles of overhead cables link the turbines and transmit the electricity to Portland General Electric.

The Vansycle Ridge wind farm is one of the first wind power projects in the current wave of new wind energy development to provide electricity to the Pacific Northwest. However, a 43.2-megawatt wind plant is currently under construction in Foote Creek Rim, Wyo., and is scheduled to be on line by the middle of December. Power from the Wyoming project will be distributed throughout the Northwest by Bonneville Power Administration, Eugene Water & Electric Board, and PacifiCorp.

VANSYCLE RIDGE WIND FARM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Q: Why was this site chosen for a wind farm?
A: This area was selected because of its favorable wind resources, compatible land use, and ease of interconnection with the Bonneville Power Administration transmission lines. High winds and low transmission losses allow FPL Energy to provide cost-effective electricity from renewable wind power to Portland General Electric and its customers.

Q: How will these wind turbines affect farming practices and wildlife?
A: The Vansycle Ridge Wind Farm is expected to have only a minimal impact on farming and wildlife. For example, rotor blades, at the bottom of their swing, are more than 100 feet from the ground, allowing farm animals to graze directly under the wind turbines. Also, the turbines and access roads will occupy less than two percent of the acres that the project spans. In addition, studies conducted by biologists indicate the project site receives relatively little use by avian life or by other species of concern.

Q: What happens when the wind speed changes?
A: The Vestas wind turbines operate on a variable pitch principal in which rotor blades rotate to keep them at the optimum angle in order to maximize output for all wind speeds. In this process, the turbine's electronic controller checks the power output of the turbine several times per second. When the power output becomes too high, the rotor blades are turned (pitched) out of the wind. Conversely, the blades are turned back into the wind whenever the wind drops again. Because the blades normally pitch or turn only a few degrees at a time, this motion is almost imperceptible.

Q: What happens when the wind changes direction?
A: The turbines are equipped with a wind vane that signals wind direction changes to the electronic controller. Within the electronic controller, there is a yaw mechanism which uses electrical motors to turn the nacelle and rotor into the wind. This movement is known as yawing and is almost imperceptible, as turbines normally yaw only a few degrees at a time. The turbines' ability to rotate in this manner significantly increases the amount of power generated.

Q: What mechanisms are in place to prevent damage to the wind turbines when wind speeds exceed 56 mph?
A: Each turbine is equipped with a device that measures wind speed, an electronic signal is sent to the electronic controller to stop the wind turbines if the wind speed exceeds 56 mph.

Q: What's inside the towers?
A: The towers are hollow inside. A controller cabinet is located at the base inside the tower. Cables and a ladder ascent to the nacelle, which contains the generator and electronic controller. Service personnel are required to wear special equipment to climb the ladder to service the components.

Q: Will the end consumer be able to purchase power directly from this facility?
A: Under current regulatory rules, the facility can only sell power wholesale to a purchaser who resells the power retail. Portland General Electric is the reseller and has a 30 year contract to purchase 100% of the power produced from this facility.

Fact sheet questions & answers produced by FPL Energy

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