Wind Energy
NextEra Energy Resources is one of America's largest energy infrastructure developers, leveraging all forms of energy.
INDUSTRY LEADER
NextEra Energy Resources is advancing the country's energy future with the largest and most diverse portfolio of power generation and infrastructure solutions.
Did You Know?
NextEra Energy Resources has more than 160 wind projects in the United States and Canada.
Did You Know?
One wind turbine can generate enough electricity for more than 500 homes.
Did You Know
Our wind farms have created more than 20,000 construction jobs and 1,000 full time jobs.
BENEFITS
Reliable and Low-Cost Wind Energy
With more than 160 wind sites in operation, wind energy is good for our environment and our economy. Wind energy provides millions in tax dollars and landowner payments. It also creates jobs and boosts local economies.
Wind Energy
• Creates no air pollutants;
• Uses no water to generate electricity;
• Provides a renewable fuel supply; and
• Results in no hazardous cleanup at the end of the project.
Competitive Price
Wind energy is one of the most economical sources of electricity:
• The cost of wind has dropped significantly – from 30 cents per kilowatt-hour (kwh) in the 1980s to less than two cents per kwh (with incentives) at high wind sites.
• Technological improvements in turbines drives costs down;
• No cost volatility – fuel is free; and
• Competitive price with other power generation.
Home-grown Electricity
Electricity generated in local communities benefits those communities. It also:
• Helps our country move toward energy independence; and
• Reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
Jobs
Wind farm construction also brings employment opportunities to the communities we serve:
• Hundreds of construction jobs; and
• Typically, several full-time positions when operating.
Quick to Market
The time it takes to construct a wind energy center is relatively short - from groundbreaking to commercial operation in six to nine months.
Infrastructure Improvement
We have enhanced more than 2,300 miles of roads as part of our wind projects in the U.S. and Canada. As we build, we continue to help the communities we serve by improving the infrastructure:
• Investment in roads to bring in construction equipment; and
• Roads remain as permanent infrastructure improvement for communities.
Landowner Partnerships
Partnering with landowners in the community provides many benefits, including:
• Land rights agreements allow landowners to diversify their income;
• Much of the land is still available for other uses; and
• Renewable energy projects create local jobs.
WIND SITES
From Start to Finish
Once approved for construction, wind sites can be built quickly in comparison to other types of power-generating facilities. Throughout the process, we are respectful of the environment and our neighbors. We work with the community to achieve the best results for all involved.
Siting and Development
Siting a wind project can be challenging. We must find the right combination of wind conditions, power transmission lines and land to accommodate the wind site.
NextEra Energy Resources pursues potential wind farms in areas where the wind blows steadily. The ideal average wind speed is approximately 25 to 35 miles per hour.
Wind facilities must also be near high-voltage transmission lines that can carry power over long distances. These transmission lines must have the capacity to handle the additional generation.
Our developers work with landowners to walk them through the process, meet with local officials on project progress, conduct environmental assessments, complete historical and archaeological reviews, arrange connection to the power grid, secure customers for the site’s generated electricity, attend public meetings to gain approval for construction, permitting and land use zoning; and procure the necessary equipment for construction.
Construction
Our wind sites can usually be built in six to nine months. Steps include:
- Building access roads to bring in construction equipment;
- Installing underground electric cables beside the access roads;
- Pouring wind turbine foundations;
- Constructing a substation, and an operations and maintenance building;
- Bringing in turbine equipment;
- Using cranes to erect the turbines; and
- Testing and commissioning the completed turbines.
Ready For Operations
Once constructed and tested, the wind turbines can be commissioned, meaning they are ready for operation. We have experienced operations and maintenance managers at all our sites. Our local staff is supported by centralized maintenance and environmental staff. Our sites also have remote support from an around-the-clock Renewable Operations Control Center.
How Wind Energy Works
Wind turbines capture the wind's energy with two or three propeller-like blades that are mounted on a rotor, to generate electricity. The turbines sit high atop towers, taking advantage of the stronger and less turbulent wind above ground. A blade acts much like an airplane wing:
1. When the wind blows, a pocket of low-pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade.
2. The low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, causing the rotor to turn. This is called lift.
3. The force of the lift is actually much stronger than the wind's force against the front side of the blade, which is called drag.
4. The combination of lift and drag causes the rotor to spin like a propeller, and the turning shaft spins a generator to make electricity.