Greentech Lead America: Walmart announced the
installation of its first onsite large-scale wind turbine pilot project at its
distribution center in Red Bluff, California. The GE SLE 1.0 MW wind turbine is
expected to provide 15 to 20 percent of the distribution center’s yearly
electrical use.
“We found the perfect environment for an installation
with the Red Bluff project – good wind conditions and open land that we
own. As a result, we expect to reduce our energy costs from the day we
flip the on switch. Should the technology at Red Bluff prove successful,
Walmart will evaluate the potential for large-scale turbine installations at
other distribution center sites in the United States,” said Greg Pool,
project manager of the Red Bluff installation.
Foundation Windpower, a developer of utility-scale
distributed wind projects, has installed the wind turbine at the facility.
Foundation Windpower installs, owns, and operates the wind
turbine and will sell the electricity to Walmart under
a long term Power Purchase Agreement at a fixed rate.
The new wind turbine features a tower height (265 feet)
and a blade diameter (250 feet) approximately equal to the height of a 20-story
building. The 1.0 Megawatt Wind Turbine is expected to go online by this fall
and projected to produce approximately 2,200,000 kilowatt hours annually.
“We are delighted to have completed this project
with Walmart and Tehama County. Foundation Windpower developed, financed
and constructed this project with Walmart whose leadership and strategic
commitment to sustainable, energy efficient operations have improved this
distribution facility’s economic competitiveness and environmental
impact,” said Matt Wilson, CEO of Foundation Windpower.
Walmart deploys solar power system at College Avenue store in
California
Walmart recently commissioned a solar array installed on
the roof top of its College Avenue store in San Diego. This
is 100thCalifornia Walmart store using rooftop solar panels to generate
power, contributing to the company’s broader goal of being supplied 100 percent
by renewable energy.
editor@greentechlead.com
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