Reno Gazette Journal 5-3-10

Reno first in nation with wind turbines atop city hall

Reno is the first U.S. city to install wind turbines atop its city hall, several Reno officials boasted Wednesday while showing off the “hoop” turbines on the roof.

The city also is the first agency conducting research to test the strengths and weaknesses of seven different turbines, which will be reported to the U.S. Department of Energy, said Jason Geddes, city energy administrator. He said results from the first four of nine turbines to be installed around the city will be put on the city’s web site by the end of June. While national ratings now exist for solar panels, Geddes said none exist for wind turbines.

Councilman Dave Aiazzi said real-time data from anemometers measuring wind speed and the electrical output of the turbines will be made public.

The city Web site will have map showing three-dimensional airflow, turbine locations and data so people have an idea of the potential wind resource near their homes and businesses, Aiazzi he said.

“When we first started doing this several years ago, I never dreamed we would be doing it top of City Hall,” Aiazzi said.

The city has two 1.5 kilowatt “hoop” turbines on the roof of the 17-story City Hall at 1 E. First St., and a third is planned. Two more will be on the city’s Parking Galleria in July.

Nine turbines from seven manufacturers, including Reno’s Windspire, are being installed test their performances in different environments. The first turbine was installed at the sewer plant in Stead and the second at Mira Loma Park.

The nine turbines and several solar projects together are a $3.5 million investment, before $1.7 million in energy rebates are applied to reduce that cost. The projects are expected to save 788,932 kilowatt hours a year for an annual savings of $91,000 a year.

That means the investment should pay for itself in 18.9 years, Geddes said.
But given all federal dollars were used, “the payback for us is immediate. It’s all at zero cost in local dollars,” he said.

The city is investing $19 million in new energy technology as well as retrofitting City Hall, the police station and other city buildings. The initiative is being paid through economic energy stimulus grants, energy rebates and bonds to be paid with energy savings.

The work, overseen by APS Energy Services, is being done without an investment from the city’s general fund. Energy savings will be shared between the firm and the city.

Officials said inquiries about the project have been made by USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, a San Francisco Chronicle web site, Governing magazine, Outside magazine and Web-based media including Environment & Energy Daily, Greenwire, Climatewire, Treehugger, InHabitat and USA Green Stories.

Geddes said the top of City Hall is an ideal location for the turbines because of a tall set of buildings starting at Arlington Towers along the Truckee River that creates an urban wind tunnel almost all the time.

Mayor Bob Cashell pointed out the fastest-spinning turbine is on the southwest corner of the roof, right over his office.

“All of the hot air is coming out of my office,” he said.