UDOT wind generator comes online at Milford

MILFORD, Beaver County — The Utah Department of Transportation is harnessing wind power at its Milford maintenance facility.

The Skystream 3.7 wind turbine power generator came online March 21 and is capable of generating 1,800 watts of power from atop its 45-foot tower.

Jason Berry of the Utah Geological Survey's State Energy Program said Milford's natural windiness make it a perfect spot for wind-turbine power. "Milford was selected as a good candidate for this project due to its steady and consistent wind," Berry said.

Sites with sufficient wind for power generation generally require about 10 mph average wind speed, and Milford's exceeds that slightly with a 12 mph annual average.

The total installed cost for the turbine was just under $14,000. The turbine will provide up to 40 percent of the station's yearly power use.

This is the second UDOT facility powered by a renewable source. The Murray maintenance shed employs a 3,200-watt photovoltaic solar panel array.

Both the wind turbine and the solar panel system are tied to Rocky Mountain Power's grid in such a way that energy not being consumed by the UDOT installations is fed back into the power system and earns power credits.

Funding for both projects was provided by UDOT and matching grants from the Utah State Energy Project and the U.S. Department of Energy.