Key facts about Biglow Canyon Wind Farm
Biglow Canyon was developed by Orion Energy LLC and has been built, owned and operated by PGE.
Number of turbines
217
There are two types of turbines at Biglow:
| |
Type 1 |
Type 2 |
| Turbine measurements |
| Height (with blade fully extended) |
396 ft |
415 ft |
| Weight |
246 tons |
340 tons |
|
| Blades |
| Rotation rate (revelations per minute) |
14.4 |
6-16 |
| Diameter |
269 ft |
305 ft |
| Blade tip speed |
138 mph |
174 mph |
| Operational speed |
- Rotor blades start at a wind speed of 7 mph
- Power produced at a wind speed of 9 mph
- Maximum rated power (1.65 megawatts) reached at wind speeds of 27 mph and greater
- High-wind shutdown initiated when average speed reaches 45 mph for 10 minutes, 55 mph for one minute, or 72 mph for one second
|
- Rotor blades start at a wind speed of 7 mph
- Power produced at a wind speed of 9 mph
- Maximum rated power (2.3 megawatts) reached at wind speeds of 30 mph and greater
- High-wind shutdown initiated when average speed reaches 56 mph for more than ten minutes
|
|
| Tower foundations |
| Diameter |
52.5 ft |
57.5 ft |
| Depth |
8 ft |
8 ft |
| Materials |
348 cubic yards of concrete reinforced by 26 tons of steel rebar |
400 cubic yards of concrete reinforced by 35 tons of steel rebar |
|
Output delivery
Power is delivered to PGE through a Biglow substation connected to a new high-voltage Bonneville Power Administration transmission line to a substation in John Day.
Estimated project cost
Total capital investment was $1 billion. Part of that cost is being offset by Energy Trust of Oregon, which is contributing $6 million.