EnergyXchange partnered with Appalachian State University (ASU) Small Wind Initiative to measure the potential of capturing power from the winds buffeting the Yancey/Mitchell landfill.  In July of 2005 an anemometer on loan from ASU was installed at the EnergyXchange Yancey County site located adjacent to the Yancey Mitchell landfill.  An anemometer is a device that measures and records average wind speeds and wind direction.  The hope was that there would be enough wind to successfully operate a wind turbine for the generation of electricity at the EnergyXchange campus.

Data was collected for 12 months, from July 2005 through July 2006.  Upon analysis from ASU researchers, it was determined that the average wind speed at the landfill was 4.1 miles per hour at 20 meters.  It was hypothesized that due to an adjacent mountain side, the EnergyXchange property is blocked from receiving the sustained prevailing winds typically found on the ridge tops of the mountains in western North Carolina.  Therefore, it was determined that “the wind resource was inadequate for energy production and the performance of any turbine would be disappointing.” 

EnergyXchange decided not to pursue development of a wind-based renewable energy project, but continues to monitor the technology for viable generation of energy at areas with lower levels of wind resources.

For more information about the potential use of wind technology in western North Carolina, contact the Appalachian State University, WNC Renewable Energy Initiative,
[email protected].

Also visit wind.appstate.edu.

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