Renewable Energy Test Bed

To help meet renewable energy goals and provide a test bed for new renewable energy technologies, Sagent Energy and Kiewit Building Group proposed to install 20MW of wind power along the I-80 corridor between Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. The key component of the project was the use of vertical-axis wind turbines, which reportedly have higher efficiencies and a smaller footprint than the traditional horizontal-axis turbines. Although vertical-axis turbines are not a new technology, turbines in the size range for this project (250 kW and above) represent a significant advancement in technology.

Wiley|Wilson performed an analysis and provided specifications for the installation of multiple turbine generators, inverters, control systems, medium and high voltage protection, and 161kV substation interface equipment.