[BC] Power distribution in the NE

[Glen Kippel]

On 2/27/07, Robert Meuser <Robertm at broadcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> Well actually I live around the corner from a real power plant - one
> that burns coal. There is another turbine plant across the river and I a
> upset about the one up 1st avenue that was shut down and the site
> re-developed for condos.  I am fascinated by wind farms. I plan to the
> visit the one in SoCal never Palm Springs this year.


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While some of the windmills are within the city limits of Palm Springs
(north of town, south of I-10) there are a lot more in the unincorporated
areas west of Desert Hot Springs, and in the Windy Point area between I-10
and Highway 111, and around Cabazon.  There are also a few off of Varner
Road in what is technically Cathedral City.

There are other large wind farms in California along Highway 58 east of
Tehachapi Pass and at Altamont Pass east of Oakland.

The fun power plant is at Helms, east of Fresno.  They use recycled water.
Really.  In the afternoon when there is peak demand they release water from
one reservoir into a lower one to run the generators.  Late at night when
demand is low, they use the generators as pumps to pump water back to the
upper reservoir for release the next day, using cheaper electric power.
This all happens in a huge man-made grotto, 3/4-mile inside a mountain.
This is really an impressive place, and they have tours open to the public
on Saturdays.  It's worth the trip to experience this!