GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS MAP
Exploring Wind Energy Pro
During recent decades , the use of wind-generated energy has expanded rapidly across the globe . A number of countries have adopted policies to encourage the installation of wind-powered electricity generation . Many have done this to reduce greenhouse gas emissions . Despite there being various wind energy projects across the Americas , the United States has some of the largest infrastructure for these projects . Industrial valves play an essential role in various aspects of wind energy , from controlling process flows and regulating hydraulic fluids , to their use in maintenance tasks , such as flushing out contaminants from hydraulic systems , and emergency shutdowns , where valves are used to quickly isolate the turbine from the power grid and halt the turbine ’ s operation to prevent damage if needed . These components are crucial in the operation of wind energy . Follow Valve World Americas to explore a few wind energy projects across the Americas .
ALTA WIND ENERGY CENTER ( AWEC ), TERRA-GEN POWER , SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA , USA
The Alta Wind Energy Center is a wind farm project located in the Tehachapi Mountains in Kern County , California . This project , also known as the Mojave Wind Farm , is the second-largest onshore wind energy project in the world . The project is said to supply 1,500 megawatts of clean renewable energy to Southern California Edison . This project is spread across 3,200 acres in the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains , Kern City . The turbines have been installed at altitudes ranging from 3,000 ft to 6,000 ft above sea level . The first phase of this project began in July 2010 and includes nearly 600 wind turbines . The project contributes significantly to California ’ s renewable energy goals and provides clean electricity to the region . 1
ROSCOE WIND FARM , ROSCOE , TEXAS , USA
The Roscoe Wind Farm Complex consists of four operational wind farms : Roscoe , Champion , Pyron , and Inadale . This project began its operations in February 2008 and spans three counties in Texas - Nolan , Mitchell , and Scurry - The project initially had an installed at a capacity of 209 MW . The Roscoe Wind Farm is considered a cornerstone project among the Roscoe Complex and comprises one of the largest land-based wind farms in the United States . Currently , this project has 781.5 MW of turbines installed . 5 The power generated by the wind farm ’ s first two phases was distributed to 100,000 homes and consisted of 627 wind turbines that are positioned 900 ft apart .
THE PENONOMÉ PROJECTS , GOLDWIND , COCLÉ PROVINCE , PANAMA
Panama is a hydropower-reliant country and before building the Penonomé Projects , the country was looking to better adapt its electricity output to accommodate fluctuations in the region ’ s weather patterns . Panama looked to adopt wind energy as a source so they would not be forced to ration energy usage during the summer months . This wind farm is a 270-megawatt onshore wind power project that was developed through a series of phases . This project consists of 86 turbines and covers over 47,000 acres . The Penonomé Project has been reported to avoid 450,000 metric tons of carbon emissions and mitigated nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions . 2
18 Valve World Americas | April 2024 • www . valve-world-americas . net