KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
If Kodiak Electric’s plans work out, three more towering wind turbines could soon dot Kodiak’s horizon. Jay Barrett photo
Kodiak’s wind turbines could be featured on a nationally broadcast environmental program.
According to its website, "Earth: The Operator’s Manual" is a new PBS program that seeks to give viewers an assessment of earth’s problems and possibilities. It says the program will leave viewers informed, energized and optimistic.
Speaking of energizing, Kodiak Electric Association’s wind turbine project is set to be featured-or at least included-in a future edition of ETOM.
KEA’s President and CEO, Darren Scott talked with KMXT’s Maggie Wall.
-((KEA on PBS 1 :52 "It’s going to be…as I understand."))
While Kodiak’s wind turbine generators tend to get all the attention, it is actually the Terror Lake Hydro Project that has faithfully produced roughly 80 percent of Kodiak’s electrical power the past several decades.
KEA recently got funds from the state to put in a third turbine at Terror Lake, and is hoping to get funding from the Alaska Energy Authority for three new wind turbines. The third Terror Lake turbine is a vital component of KEA’s expansion plan. It will allow the system to make the quick adjustments necessary as the town increasingly depends on the three new wind turbines. The more load the wind turbines carry, the more likely the entire system will be affected by quick fluctuations caused by dramatic changes in local winds.
In terms of timelines, Scott says if things go as planned, the three wind turbines will be operational in the fall of 2012, while it will be another year or so before the new Terror Lake turbine comes on line.
That is not an ideal situation; but Scott says those three new wind turbines won’t be sitting idle on top Pillar Mountain:
–(KEA on PBS 2 :08 "We’ll be able…gain power from them."))
According to KEA’s website, Kodiak’s three wind turbine generators have saved KEA consumers roughly 1.9 million gallons of fuel.
