Renew America Success Stories

The Midwest Wind Energy Program

The Midwest Wind Energy Program (MWEP) is a joint effort of Waverly Light & Power (WL&P) and the University of Northern Iowa to install and operate an 80-kilowatt wind turbine in northern Iowa. The program is designed to incorporate new advances in wind energy technology and to provide WL&P with experience and knowledge in operating and maintaining a wind-generation system. 

Waverly Light & Power is a 32 megawatt (MW) municipally-owned electric utility serving 4,000 customers in northeast Iowa. 

Approximately $1,900, or 10%, of the average personal income of each adult and child in the Midwest is spent on energy each year, and the majority of this energy is imported. Iowa alone spends $5 billion annually on energy imported from outside the state. These outlays are rising: since 1986, WL&P's energy sales have grown an average of 4.2% annually. In addition, about 95% of the Midwest's current energy is supplied by coal and petroleum, both of which contribute to acid rain and greenhouse gas emissions. 

The MWEP was formed to demonstrate that wind energy can help reduce environmental costs while keeping energy dollars closer to home. To date, the wind turbine has reduced carbon dioxide (CO₂) output by 119 tons and has generated more than 325,000 kilowatt-hours (KWH) as of May 1996. The success of MWEP, as well as additional up-to-date information about wind machines and wind energy, have been provided to utilities, farmers, businesses and general consumers since the program's inception. 

Following on the success of the MWEP, the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities has completed a study on the feasibility of developing a large, commercial wind farm in northwest Iowa. As outlined in the study, the farm would support 15 wind turbines, each with a generating capacity of 1.725 million kilowatt-hours annually. It is possible that the average delivered cost of the wind farm power could be as low as about $.03 per kilowatt-hour. 

Program Highlights 

Economics 

• Over the past decade, the cost of wind generation has dropped about 75%. Wind-generated power now costs about $.04 - $.06 per kilowatt-hour, making it competitive with coal.
• Waverly is located in a Class 3 wind regime (region), where average wind velocity is about 11.8 miles per hour (MPH). Vast areas of the Midwest and West, served by large utilities in primarily rural areas, have Class 3, 4 and 5 wind regimes, indicating that the MWEP could be replicated throughout much of the United States, with even better economic results.

• The 80 kilowatt wind turbine uses advanced airfoil blades and is installed on a 140-foot tower to take advantage of the higher wind speeds present at higher elevations.
• According to the American Wind Energy Association, Iowa has such high average winds that it could provide 20% of the electricity used in the continental United States.

• In addition to the MWEP, Waverly Light & Power is engaged in numerous activities as part of its participation in the Global Climate Challenge. including planting 6,000 trees by the year 2000, installing high pressure sodium municipal lights, promoting the use of electric vehicles and providing heating, air conditioning and light rebates designed to encourage the purchase of more efficient fixtures and appliances.

Vital Statistics

Program Management/Partnerships: The Midwest Wind Energy Program (MWEP) is a joint project of Waverly Light & Power and the University of Northern Iowa. 

Budget: The initial cost of purchasing and installing the turbine was about $129,000. Operating costs during 1994 were $22,000 and in 1995 operating costs had been reduced to $11,000. Waverly Light & Power anticipates continued reductions in annual operating costs for several more years as experience is gained. 

Community Served: The 9,000 residents of Waverly, Iowa. 

Measures of Success:

During May 1996, Waverly Light & Power's wind turbine saved customers nearly $950 in equivalent coal-fired generation.

The wind turbine has reduced carbon dioxide (CO₂) output by 119 tons and has generated more than 325,000 kilowatt-hours (KWH) as of May 1996.

Waverly Light & Power has given 11 major presentations on wind energy in general and the Midwest Wind Energy Program in particular across the United States.