Kotzebue Electric Association

Welcome

Introduction: A Growing Wind Farm

An overview of KEA's wind farm project, including a list of goals and benefits.

Harnessing the Wind - Wind Energy Basics

Capturing wind energy and transforming it into electricity is not simple. The equipment used is highly engineered and finely tuned to its purpose. Look here for information on: Wind Energy Basics, AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine, Wind in Kotzebue, and Wind....

The AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine

Part 2 of 4 Tower The 80-foot lattice steel tower lifts the wind turbine into stronger winds above the ground. Even without trees, there is some ground friction that reduces wind strength at lower levels. The tower is designed to withstand heavy ice....

Winds in Kotzebue

Part 3 of 4 The winds in Kotzebue are excellent for use in producing electric power because they are: Energetic The annual average wind speed at KEA's wind farm is 13.5 miles per hour, almost twice the average wind speeds as noted by the National....

Wind Energy Production

Part 4 of 4 The AOC 15/50 turbines begin producing electricity at wind speeds of about 11 miles per hour (mph) and produce 50 kilowatts when winds reach 24.5 mph; the machines produce approximately 80 kW at wind speeds of 26-28 mph. The total amount....

NorthWind 100: New Turbine Powers Up

KEA's new NorthWind 100 wind turbine, a nearly quarter-million dollar next-generation prototype built by Northern Power Systems, came online in Kotzebue last May.

Atlantic Orient Corporation's 15/50 Wind Turbine

Information on the wind turbines that power KEA's wind farm.

New Wind Turbines Increase Fuel Savings

KEA's wind farm will significantly reduce the cooperative's current dependence on diesel fuel.

Local Hire Powers Kotzebue Wind Energy Project

It takes special people to do hard work in below zero temperatures day after day and still call their job fun. Here's a look at KEA's hard-working construction crew.

Raising A Turbine

On March 29, 1999 Kotzebue Electric Association installed one of its AOC 15/50 wind turbines. Take a look at how the turbine was raised in this slide show.

Project Sponsors

Kotzebue's Wind Energy Project is made possible in part via sponsorships from the following organizations:

• Alaska Division of Energy
• U.S. Dept. of Energy: Sustainable Technology Energy Partnership
• U.S. Dept. of Energy: Turbine Verification Program
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• Alaska Science and Technology Foundation
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association: Cooperative Research Network

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