Wind Energy

Wind energy in Texas: Signal Energy Installs DeWind Wind Turbines

Signal Energy, LLC, a major design/build general contractor providing engineering, procurement and construction services to the North American renewable energy industry, has begun installing wind turbines and towers for the 10 machines which will generate 20 MW of wind power in the Texas panhandle (Frisco Wind Project). The wind farm is currently owned by wind turbine manufacturer DeWind Co.

“Installing wind turbines and towers marks an exciting point at the Frisco Wind Power Project site for DeWind and for the region,” said Ben Fischer, president of Signal Energy. “Soon the Texas panhandle will add 20 MW of clean, renewable energy to the grid. Signal Energy is proud to play a role in building our country’s clean energy future.” The company has completed over 35 renewable energy projects in the United States and Canada since its formation in 2005.

Located in Hansford County, Texas, the 20 MW Frisco wind farm is in the Texas panhandle and is scheduled to be in commercial operation by the end of 2011. It will offset an annual average of 39,726.5 tons of CO2 emissions and provide enough electricity to power almost 6,000 average American households.

The Frisco wind power project utilizes 10 DeWind 2.0 MW D8.2 wind turbines built at DeWind’s contract assembly plant located in Round Rock, Texas, owned and operated by TECO-Westinghouse. The grid-friendly design of the 2.0 MW DeWind D8.2 uniquely provides grid-support capability to all grid situations.

“The DeWind turbine deliveries to the Frisco site mark the next milestone toward the completion of the wind farm later this year,” noted Robert Rugh, President and CEO of DeWind.

Signal Energy’s scope of work on the Frisco project includes full design and engineering of all project civil infrastructure, underground and overhead collection systems, wind turbine foundations, project substations and the project interconnection facilities. In addition, Signal Energy will self-perform the wind turbine erection.

Signal Energy currently has renewable energy projects under construction in ten locations in six states.

Wind power is one of the fastest growing forms of new electricity generation in the U.S.

The U.S. wind energy industry saw 35 percent average annual growth over the past five years, accounting for 35 percent of new U.S. power capacity in that period, according to the 2010 U.S. Wind Industry Annual Market Report.

Producing electricity from renewable sources, like wind energy, saves consumers money by avoiding rising fuel costs and price volatility of fossil fuels.

Signal Energy is a leading full service design/build contractor providing Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services for renewable energy projects across North America. Signal Energy is the renewable energy subsidiary of EMJ Corporation, one of the largest general contractors in North America.

DeWind Co designs, produces and sells DeWind series wind energy turbines, including the 2.0 MW D8.2 and D9.2 models available in 50 and 60 Hz configuration, and the 2.0 MW D9.1 model available in 50 Hz configuration. DeWind 2.0 MW D8 series wind turbines featuring an 80 meter rotor have been operating since 2002. DeWind’s latest release, the D9 series, features an enhanced 93 meter rotor while maintaining full IEC Class 2A operational capability.

The D9.2 utilizes advance WinDrive(R) hydrodynamic torque converter jointly developed with Voith AG in combination with a fixed speed, high voltage output synchronous AC generator which can be connected directly to the grid without the use of power conversion electronics. DeWind D9.2 wind turbines are currently assembled at TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company (TWMC) in Round Rock, Texas.

www.dewindco.com

www.signalenergy.com