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Redbud Wind
An ongoing look at the process of evaluating a commercial wind energy opportunity
 
  
 
  

Analyzing wind energy potential - Redbud Wind - I - Enid, Oklahoma

News Updates

3-10-06
The second data set from Redbud Wind I has been collected and analyzed. The data covered the period from January 3, 2006 to February 26, 2006 The system analysis software looks at the data in 10 minute intervals and generates logs and charts. Some of the results were as follows:

  • Average wind speed 14.77 MPH
  • Highest recorded wind speed 50.4 MPH, Lowest wind speed 0.8 MPH
  • Highest temperature 76.6 degrees, lowest temperature 8.4 degrees


 

News Updates

1-20-06
The first data set from Redbud Wind I has been collected and analyzed. The data covered the period from November 26, 2005 to January 3, 2006. The system analysis software looks at the data in 10 minute intervals and generates logs and charts. Some of the results were as follows:

  • Average wind speed 17 MPH
  • Highest recorded wind speed 53 MPH, Lowest wind speed 1 MPH
  • Highest temperature 72 degrees, lowest temperature 3 degrees
One project objective is to validate an average wind an speed above 15 MPH.
 
Project Background - 12/2/05

Overall, the Redbud Wind - I, test project is a "long shot" effort to determine if the site may defy the odds and exhibit a "GOOD" rating for wind power generation.

The maps below show what is assumed to be current pictures of wind power geography. The Redbud Wind - I, site sits almost exactly on the line between a WIND CLASS 4 zone (good) and a WIND CLASS 3 zone (fair). These class ratings become important when calulating the potential wind energy that can be converted to electric power. Ultimately such calculations are the basis for determining the financial viability of commercial grade wind turbines.

There are several unique conditions at the Redbud Wind - I that presented challenges for moving ahead with installing the test anemometer. These included:

1. The site is within the city limits of Enid, Oklahoma and the city has a 35' height limit. Thus installing the 100' tower required applying for a height variance from the city zoning board.
2. The site is located 7.6 miles north/northeast of Vance Airforce Base, thus requiring notification and written acccepatnce by the Air Force.
3. Further, the site is 4.85 miles northwest of Woodring Municipal Airport, thus requiring communication with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regarding height and distance regulation adjacent to airports.

The issues in 1, 2, and 3 were successfully addressed. By contacting the FAA office in Ft. Worth, TX and the airspace controls office at Vance communications were obtained indicating that height and distance were not of issue. The City of Enid accepted these communications and granted a variance for the anemometer tower.



The thumbnail pictures shown here were taken during errection of the anemometer tower.
Click any picture for a larger view.
September 2005 - installing guy wire anchors.

November 2005 - assembling and errecting the anemometer tower
              

 
Wind Resource Maps


 
Additional Information