Author(s):
Thomas B. Williams* - Western Illinois University
Abstract:
Williams, Thomas B., Department of Geography, Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL 61455, TB-Williams@wiu.edu. Wind energy development in Illinois.
With worldwide oil prices reaching record levels and gasoline exceeding $3.00 a gallon through the summer of 2006, alternative energy sources have become increasingly attractive. Clean, renewable wind energy continues to grow in importance as cumulative wind power capacity passed the 10-gigawatt (10,000-MW) milestone in the United States (American Wind Energy Association, 2006). Last year Texas supplanted historic leader California as the nation's top state in capacity to generate wind power. While Illinois ranks 16th in wind energy potential, several wind farms have been recently developed. The Mendota Hills project, located in Lee County in northern Illinois, has 63 800-KW wind turbines which became operational in late 2003. The smaller Crescent Ridge farm, opened in 2005 just to the south in Bureau County, features 33 larger 1650-KW generators. The newest project currently under construction will bring 120 1650-KW turbines onto the power grid, and is capable of producing more wind energy than all other completed projects combined. This site is located in McLean County near Bloomington-Normal in central Illinois. All of the wind projects are located on favorable sites in the northern half of Illinois where stronger prevailing winds are thought to exist. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to document the current status of wind energy development in Illinois; and 2) to examine observed wind data collected from selected meteorological towers located in distinctly different areas of the state.
