DWEA member Wind Harvest, based in Sacramento, California, released a new study on Aug. 6 revealing that the installation of utility-scale vertical-axis wind turbines in areas in East San Diego could double the capacity of annual energy production (AEP), from wind farms on the Campo Kumeyaay Reservation and on lands owned privately and by the U.S. Government. 

In this study, Wind Harvest analyzed wind speeds at 66 feet (20 meters) above ground level in the Campo Kumeyaay Reservation, McCain Valley and Imperial Valley areas using predictions from the UL Windnavigator, a well-respected tool for predicting wind resources at different heights above the ground. The analysis showed that in existing wind farms where average wind speeds exceed 6.5 m/s (14.5 mph) at 66 feet above ground level, 544 megawatts (MWs) of short, H-type VAWTs could be added within the 525 MWs of horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) currently installed in the windier parts of the resource area. Based on the mid-level wind speeds in the zone and assuming the use of VAWTs that would be as efficient as Wind Harvester turbines, the East San Diego Resource Area could produce an additional 1,550 GWh of electricity per year. This is enough electricity to meet the needs of 222,000 homes in California per year. “San Diego ratepayers would benefit from making full use of its small but excellent wind resource,” said Wind Harvest CEO Kevin Wolf. 

Modern vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) can operate sustainably and harness untapped turbulent “mid-level” wind energy that blows between 5 and 30 meters above ground (16 feet to 100 feet). Wind Harvest is currently raising capital to bring its Wind Harvester VAWTs through the certification step in the renewable energy technology certification process. Once certified, the Company will sell its turbine to commercial and utility customers. These turbines will vary in capacity from 50 kW to 250 kW. The top of their blade tips can be as low as 57 feet above the ground. The first Wind Harvester will be third-party certified and available for sale in 2025 with 50 to 75 kW generators. More information about Wind Harvest is available here.