| Location:
Willcox Playa (dry lake bed) 90 miles se of Tucson
Arizona. This 200sq. mi. area is a natural wind tunnel
at 3200 feet with bordering 8000+ ft mountains on
either side. This provides for a perfect location to
harness the wind.
Current problem:
The playa is a very large natural dust producer for
the region. The dust particles from this area are a
major heath and environmental situation that can be
mitigate. The dust is also a scientific interruption
with the Kitt peak observatories.
Goal of the
Array: To utilize the natural occurring
conditions, 356 days of sunshine and the constant wind
to produces usable power created with reusable
resources and mitigate a huge source of natural dust.
Benefits:
The reduction in dust is the first result of this
project. Currently when the “whiteout” conditions
are happening, all sorts of problems are incurred.
Rail traffic is slowed, as a rail line traverses the
northern section of the playa. Interstate traffic is
affected as I-10 runs just North of the Playa. The
business and resident of the southern area of Arizona
are affected and many heath problem associated with
this excessive dust are numerous.
Solution: A
revolutionary combination wind solar electric array.
By stirring soil stabilizers in the soils to retain
the natural color : which is a great reflector, the
benefit would be immediate and allow for the complex
constructions that are going to be needed. The wind
turbine units are going to be a whole new direction in
wind technology in that no outer blades are uses. They
are not efficient and cannot even be used when the
wind lows hard, like it does there. The utilization of
contained turbines now being utilized for jet
aircraft, reconfigures to accommodate a solar shell
will produce useable power and not be a
“demonstration project. This will be a reusable
technology that can be put in other suitable areas
around the world. There is an existing power
generating station on the SW corner of the Playa which
allows for all power made to have direct access to the
southern grid. This no need of infrastructure cost
allows for much better use of developmental funds. The
Interstate and the rail line allow for easy access to
the site make construction cost very manageable.
Economic impact:
The long range impact on business and the community
will be very large. The many hundreds of technical
construction and support people will provide a major
boost in both per capita income and raise the tax
base. The research and salable technology will enhance
Allied Signals, Arizona operations as they can have a
second salable product from an existing product. The
advancement in solar technology makes this also a
doable project. It is the combination that is going to
be the winning solution to be able to harvest the high
winds and the uninterrupted sunshine. The Playa
is currently a migratory stop for the Sand Hill Cranes
and designated as such and the Array will not inhibit
that at all. In fact the birds will be accommodated in
the initial design and thus will actually be better of
when the Array is finished. The dust is also a problem
for the birds and the natural water area will be
enhanced and thus more regular for the migrating birds
and the local birds.
Conclusion:
The Willcox Playa wind solar electric array is a
project that needs to be moved forward for it is a
totally positive project. It pushes the envelope of
education in both wind and solar electric generation.
It mitigates a very large natural dust producer that
can be controlled. It will provide many 1000s of jobs
during the construction and operation of the array and
it will be a friend of the environment in that the
birds will be accommodated.
Any additional
information can be had by calling Alan White 1800 348
2723
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