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Renewable Energy Waverly Light and Power™ has been leading the way since it was the first municipal utility to own and operate wind generation in the Midwest. As we are continually searching for environmentally friendly, renewable energy resources, wind has been an important resource leading the way in providing a clean, free and inexhaustible energy resource.
Waverly Light and Power’s wind generation serves the equivalent of 261 homes annually. It also offsets nearly 2,330 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), a leading greenhouse gas associated with climate change. Renewable generation contributes 3.0 % to our total generation portfolio annually. In May of 2002, NEG Micon USA, Inc. stated Waverly’s wind turbine was among the highest producers for NEG Micon turbines in the United States. “It was the highest producer of all NEG Micon turbines in the Midwest in May,” said Steve Butler, Technical Services Advisor for Waverly Light and Power™. The Utility had hoped for a capacity factor of 27% annually, but to-date it has averaged 32.5%. Waverly Light and Power™’s Iowa Energy Tags™ program was launched in March of 2001. This innovative program allows companies and individuals to purchase tax-deductible certificates (tags) to help pay for future wind generation equipment and development. Iowa Energy Tags™ have been purchased worldwide. From Denmark to Waverly, Iowa people realize the value in the Iowa Energy Tags™ program. Each tag represents the environmental benefit of 2,500 kWh of wind generation, offsetting fossil fuel production and importation of the same amount of energy. This means a savings of 5,300 lbs. of CO2 emissions, along with a host of other greenhouse gases for each Iowa Energy Tag™ sold.
Waverly Light and Power now has three wind turbines operating in Waverly. Skeets 4, Cannon I, and Cannon II. Skeets 4 was constructed in 2000 and is still providing power in Waverly. Skeets 4 is able to provide enough energy for 244 Waverly homes and has a CO2 offset of 2,550 tons. In 2006, Waverly Light and Power and the Board of Trustees laid out their committment to 20% renewable energy by 2020.
Now, in 2009 Cannon I and II are being constructed on the northeast side of town. Cannon I and II account for 3% of WLP’s energy, at the time of construction. Cannon I and II are also expected to provide power to 261 homes in Waverly and offset 2,724 tons of CO2. 5.6% of WLP’s energy is produced with renewable sources including wind and hydro.
“ Despite being a small utility, WLP was the first municipal utility in the Midwest to own and operate wind generation. We continue to believe wind energy is an advantage for our customers because it provides clean energy and price stability. We are actively progressing toward our goal of providing 20% of our system energy with renewable sources by 2020.”
Diane Johnson, WLP General Manager
As wind has become an important energy resource for Waverly Light and Power™, we are committed to educating people about the benefits of this renewable energy source. A DVD, “Crop of the Future” is available as an education tool for use in your community. Call us at 319-352-6251 to receive a copy.
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