The birthplace of wind technology to provide opportunity, education, global energy impact
The birthplace of wind technology to provide opportunity, education, global energy impact
By: Anthony McDemus,Tehachapi Economic Development Council
Description: California Wind Energy Museum and Resource Center - in Tehachapi
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 847 times
0 responses 0 comments Tehachapi’s rural charm and natural beauty may not represent the biggest blip on the globe, but around the world, Tehachapi is known as the historic birthplace of wind energy production, dating back to the 1980s.
Many exciting changes are taking place in Tehachapi’s wind industry, fueled by the global growth and increasing importance of green and renewable energy sources. One of those advances is the formation of the California Wind Energy Museum and Resource Center.
After conducting a study to tap into this growing sector of the local economy, the Wind Center was developed by the Greater Tehachapi Economic Development Council (GTEDC), not only to help solidify Tehachapi’s historic, leading role within the world’s wind industry, but to promote eco-tourism, wind energy education and to train a local labor force to support the future of this growing industry.
The vision of the GTEDC’s Wind Center can achieve all of these goals while contributing to a greener environment, in Tehachapi and globally.
Local wind energy companies have pledged financial support from the energy generated by wind turbines, as well as offering to provide wind farm tours for visitors. The Tehachapi City Council will consider the city's role in supporting the Wind Center at a future meeting. The GTEDC is currently seeking new grant opportunities and funding sources for a 4,000 square foot temporary office facility, located off Mill Street.
The Wind Center is modeled after Edison’s AgTAC Center in Tulare. The proposed design reflects a multi-purpose facility, intended for use as a museum, science center, job training facility and wind industry meeting place.
The timing couldn’t be more crucial, as currently, state and federal laws mandate the increased production of renewable energy sources, with California utilities required to increase production of renewable ‘green’ energy to 20 percent of their output by 2020.
Goals of the Wind Center include:
• A museum to preserve the local history of wind energy development.
• A science center to teach students and visitors about the way wind energy production works.
• A training facility to help train the growing work force that will continue to build and service local wind farms. The local wind industry currently employs about 500 — Growth in energy production estimates that labor force to increase to more than 2,000 within the next five years.
• The Wind Center will help the industry grow, through several programs designed to assist the Kern Wind Energy Association.
Eco-Tourism boosts economy
Another goal is to resume the Tehachapi Wind Faire, a popular festival held in past years to educate the general public about how wind energy works and as well as the many benefits to the environment and the local economy. The Wind Center’s multi-purpose facility has the potential to attract global visitors each year. Those visitors who snap a picture of two of windmills as they pass through town would have an incentive to increase their stay, explore the center, take a tour of local wind farms, while providing a boost to Tehachapi’s economy. Tehachapi is also the most centrally located Wind Resource Area in the state, making it the ideal place for the state’s wind industry to meet.
Why Tehachapi?
Tehachapi is the largest Wind Resource Area in the state due to the ideal geography of our mountain pass. The Tehachapi Pass acts as a funnel as the natural flow of air is forced into the pass, increasing the wind force and making Tehachapi one of the most productive wind energy areas in the nation.
Still, Tehachapi’s potential generating capacity has barely been touched. As newer, more efficient turbines replace older models, increased energy production will take place with fewer turbines. Increased transmission capacity is making it possible to get more energy into the state’s power grid.
Tehachapi has historically taken the lead in wind energy and that leadership role will continue with the addition of the California Wind Energy Museum and Resource Center.
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