MILWAUKEE, WI – This week marks the 10 year anniversary of the installation of the 100-kilowatt wind turbine at Port Milwaukee’s Administration Building. On Monday, City officials celebrated this milestone and highlighted Milwaukee’s commitment to reducing energy use and increasing renewable energy projects.
“The wind turbine is an important symbol of Milwaukee’s clean energy future that is paying annual dividends for taxpayers – far exceeding initial estimates in clean energy production and savings to the City,” said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “We must continue to see support from our local, state and federal partners to boost our renewable energy efforts, achieve our climate goals, and make Milwaukee a world-class Eco-City.”
In February 2012, Port Milwaukee partnered with the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office (ECO) to install a Northern Power 100-kilowatt wind turbine at the Port’s Administration Building near the shores of Lake Michigan. The installation of the wind turbine was made possible with funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Energy, along with Port Milwaukee, We Energies, and Focus on Energy.
Over its lifetime, the 100-kilowatt wind turbine has generated over 1.4 million kilowatt hours of energy for the Port. The net savings to the Port’s electric bill from both the wind turbine and energy efficiency work at the administration building totals about $200,000.
In the past 10 years, the Port has avoided releasing over 1,025 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the air. This is equivalent to 1,133,355 pounds of coal burned or 123 homes’ energy use for one year.
This Bay View landmark provides more than 100% of electricity needs for Port Milwaukee’s Administration Building, making it the first City of Milwaukee municipal facility that is a “net zero” electric energy user.
Since the turbine is producing more electricity than the Port needs, it is providing surplus clean power back to the power grid. This surplus electricity creates over $8,000 in revenue for the City each year on average.
Learn more about the Port Milwaukee wind turbine here.
