Woods & Wetlands, Prairie Crossing Wind Power Site

Woods & Wetlands

Wind Power

Prairie Crossing
Site Survey Pictures

page last updated 4/17/02

The W&W leadership voted to promote a similar project in our territory on this side of Lake Michigan, and we have found a willing partner in Prairie Crossing. The only way to determine the wind quality at a given site is to measure it, and we are planning to put up a tower with instruments to do so. The data will serve much more than to justify or preempt a wind power deployment. The data, presented in a rosette graph, describes wind changes, both in direction and strength, and supports selection of blades designed to operate best with the wind conditions we find.

In mid May, 2001, Mike Sands and I toured two sites on the Prairie Crossing properties. One is on the north end, near the intersection of Rt. 120 and Rt. 137. The other one is on the West side of Harris, between 137 and Mallory, next to the WI Central tracks. These are shown below. We have since disqualified the south site because it is too small to provide sufficient setback to the roads for a tall tower. In addition, the north site's distance from existing power lines poses a challenge.

Mike and I began considering other locations in the vicinity that might overcome these problems, and came up with the property to the west of Countryside Landfill, the home of a small power plant that turns methane from the landfill into electric power. It is big enough to provide the setbacks, far enough from the landfill and free of local obstructions. We haven't approached the oweners yet, but I have stopped by on several occasions and judged the winds there stronger than surrounding areas. Standing at an attractive location, I took the first series of pictures on January 8th facing each of twelve points of the compass.

Wind Study Site Selection
**Which holds greater promise?**
	West Site Facing North The landfill gas powerplant is on the left. It is hooked up to the grid, and our hope is that a Wind Turbine Generator on this site could share the same interconnect. It's about 1000 feet to that facility from this spot.
	West Site Facing North Northeast (30°) The north end of the Waste Management landfill swings into view.
	West Site Facing South Northeast (60°) Full view of Waste Management landfill. It's smooth gentle slopes seem to pose little resistance to the prevailing wind. Will it stay that way or are there fixed plans to plant trees and other obstructions on it when it is full in 10 to 20 years? In the foreground is Rt. 83 and in front of that athin dark line betrays a depression containing a detention pond.
	West Site Facing East (90°) The Waste Management building is across Rt. 83 from the entry to the site is tucked at the foot of the landfill. What is the effect on the wind at this site of the landfill and its facilities? The wind study proposal includes a tall tower, that we will erect at the intended site, and a short tower to prospect surrounding sites. Perhaps placing the small tower on the landfill would yield a better understanding of its effect on the winds.
	West Site Facing North Southeast (120°) Will these trees degrade the wind at this site, or channel more of the prevailing winds toward it?
	West Site Facing South Southeast (150°) The distant trees are not likely to obstruct the wind for this site since the wind seldom comes from that direction.
	West Site Facing South (180°) The vantage point is a large, elongated mound.
	West Site Facing South Southwest (210°) The distant landscap is smooth. Can we preserve that condition, or is it slated to receive an industrial park?
	West Site Facing North Southwest (240°) Prevailing winds come from this direction. Presently a clear approach.
	West Site Facing West (270°) The entry road is in a swail between two long raised mounds.
	West Site Facing South Northwest (300°)
	West Site Facing North Northwest (330°)

	North Site There's a tractor path that separates the north field from the conservation area. This big lone oak marks the end of the path, and the beginning of a berm heaped up in preparation for a possible extension of the path. This pic looks East from the berm.
	North Site, Looking North The closest electric line to this site serves this development to the north of Prairie Crossing. Mike has information about the electric service to Prairie Crossing, and it all comes from the east. It is not clear whether the WTG could tap into that, but if it could that might make it easier to structure an attractive subscription agreement for green power to local customers. The view from the berm gives the impression that this site would have a height advantage to reach clear air. However, the berm is likely unstable soil, and the foundation for a WTG would have to start beneath it anyhow.
	North Site, Looking West One reason that there is good wind around Lake Michigan is that no obstructions rise from its surface to slow down the wind or create turbulence. Here, a concrete and gravel plant across 137, and some modest trees to the north of it are minimal obstructions to clear wind. Click here to return to the chart:
	North Site, SW Landfill I think. The landfill rises over 100 feet. Its smooth surface and gradual slopes might allow the wind to pass over it with little attenuation. Or the wind might flow around it. The day we were there a stiff wind suggested that it is not a serious obstruction. Click here to return to the chart:
	North Site, SE View I think this shows Prairie Crossing homes from the berm. The ragged profile of these structures, though distant, probably generates turbulence in the wind at several times their height, but the distance from them to the site might be sufficient for the prevailing wind to recover its momentum. Click here to return to the chart:

	North Site, SW View I think this is another view to the south end of the landfill. The land rises gradually. In general, the WTG needs to be above the level of the surrounding land. Only test data will show whether the wind follows this gradual contour of the landscape, or separates from it and passes above it. In the latter case, a higher tower would be needed to reach clear air. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site - New Rails! When we got to the south site, where the WI Central crosses Harris Rd., we saw this unusual string of flatbeds train cars dropping of a pair of 1/4 mile long pieces of new track. These stronger rails will replace the existing ones and support faster trains. According to the workers, the existing rails will be relaid near Antioch. In the background is a string of power lines that goes N on Harris, and then follows 137. Judging by the length of the insulators, this line carries medium voltage, but we don't yet know its service area. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, NW View This heavily wooded hill rises behind the present Prairie Crossing commuter station. It is a permanent feature, and presents an obstruction for wind that might come or go in that direction from the site. The wind study might reveal that it's far enough away not to be a problem. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, Electric Lines Same lines farther south, near Mallory. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, Mallory Campus These trees harbor wetlands on the Mallory property, but the USACOE has indicated their willingness to let them be sacrificed for development. The Libertyville Plan Commission also intends to let this property be developed for a light industrial use, which could pose an obstruction equal to that of these attractive trees. Either way, the wind will be affected. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, NW View The blue (JAWA) fireplug serves as a reference point. Mike prefers this site because it is less valuable to Prairie Crossing. The power line access, and our ability to structure an attractive plan will probably be the determining factors. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, Major Power Lines Connecting to these high voltage lines would be expensive, and probably unnecessary for the WTG planned to generate less than a megawatt. Mike says that the rise between the towers and the shrubs is temporary. Within 5 years the dirt stored in that rise will be removed and used to cover the nearby landfill. This should improve the wind conditions when that is done. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, More Rails The rails in the picture above ended at Harris Rd., and a new pair was begun on the south side of the road. The chain attaches the new (green painted end) rails to the existing rails so that when the train moves the new rails slide off the train. This has nothing to do with the Wind Power Project, but what self respecting alternative transportation enthusiast doesn't get excited by the site of improved track?! Click here to return to the chart:
	More Rails Humor me. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, NW View To the right, a permanent obstruction, to the left, a temporary one. Only a wind study will tell whether either is a true impediment. Click here to return to the chart:
	South Site, North View The large willow on the left would probably have to go. Hard words for an environmentalist, but the opportunity to generate clean power is worth a few sacrifices. Click here to return to the chart:
	Cool Truck The guys in this truck were following the track laying train, and chained the new rails to the old ones. Click here to return to the chart:
	Prairie Crossing This time we're talking about power lines. Medium voltage lines along Harris in the foreground cross under the high voltage lines in the distance. This picture was taken from the South, looking North toward the south site. Click here to return to the chart: