Wind Energy
Anemometer Test Sites
The University of Iowa's Utilities & Energy Management is actively pursuing the possibility of adding wind energy to its current
electrical generation assets. In order to generate electricity from the wind we must have a site near the University campus with sufficient wind. The University of Iowa is currently taking wind speed and direction measurements at two sites to determine the feasibility of erecting wind turbines at them. We will need to collect at least one year's worth of data at each site before we determine if there is enough wind to support a wind turbine.
Hills Observatory Site
The University owns land south of Hills, along Highway 218, which formerly supported an observatory. By leasing space on a nearby cellular telephone tower, we have installed anemometry equipment at a height of 260 feet, which measures wind speed, and direction. This site is on top of a local ridge and is anecdotally well known for strong winds. We have been collecting data from this site since May 11, 2007 and so far the site looks very promising with an average wind speed of 14 m.p.h.
Scattergood Friends School Site
The Scattergood Friends School is located east of West Branch along Interstate 80 and has allowed the University to erect a 100 foot tower for the purpose of gathering wind measurements. We have been collecting data continuously since January 25, 2007 and so far have seen an average wind speed of 11 m.p.h. While this does not appear to be as windy as the Hills Observatory site, a direct comparison is not really appropriate since the instruments at Scattergood are 160 feet lower than at Hills. Upon completion of the study we will be able to mathematically project the wind speed at the comparable height of 260 feet.
Each site is outfitted with a cellular telephone transmitter that sends 10-minute data sets to the University once every hour. Cumulative averages and the most recent 24-hour trends can be seen from the link below.
Live Wind Measurements
Note:
The “Average” speed listed is an aggregate of all of the data for the site. The trends show the last 24 hours of wind speed, but there is an hour or more lag due to the data processing methodology.
The “recent” wind
direction is also lagging in time.
For more information, contact George Paterson at 319-335-3519
