PUD adds wind to energy alternatives it is exploring

EVERETT — Add wind power to the types of alternative energy being studied by the Snohomish County Public Utility District.

The PUD hopes in the next few months to begin running two wind turbines on its operations building at 1802 75th St. SW near the Boeing plant in Everett.

“Our idea is to become more knowledgeable in them and in the operation of these units,” PUD spokesman Neil Neroutsos said. “More customers are going to be turning to smaller generating units, whether it’s solar or wind or other sources.”

The PUD also is drilling exploratory wells for geothermal power in the Cascades and hopes to begin operating tidal turbines in Admiralty Inlet by 2013. Additionally, the utility offers cash or low-interest loans toward the cost of installing solar panels on homes.

The PUD is planning to use two different types of wind-power units and will compare their power output per dollar spent.

The larger of the two is a Bergey Excel 10 model, made by Bergey WindPower of Norman, Okla. It looks a little like a helicopter, except with the blades located on the front of the device and oriented perpendicular to the ground rather than parallel.

The unit would be mounted atop an 80-foot tower. The PUD is seeking a permit from the city of Everett to install the tower, Neroutsos said.

The unit is expected to produce 4,300 kilowatt hours of power per year, enough to meet about a third of the energy needs for an average home, Neroutsos said. The device will cost $60,000 including installation, he said.

The other unit is called a Gale T1, made by Tangarie of Vernon, Texas. It’s 15 feet tall and shaped like a tube that’s been stood on its end and twisted. Its open sides catch the wind and cause it to spin.

Tangarie first installed the unit on the operations center for the PUD last year, but did so improperly, which kept it from generating power, Neroutsos said. The company has agreed to reinstall the device at no additional charge, he said.

It’s expected to produce less than half the power of the Bergey unit, but it costs less: $17,500, Neroutsos said.

The PUD researched the many types of small windmills and determined these two could produce the most power for the money, he said. There are a multitude of types available, all the way down to install-it-yourself models carried by hardware stores.

Eventually, the PUD could offer production credits to property owners with small windmills, based on the amount of power they generate, he said.

Another type of wind-power generator, the Energy Ball, can be seen on two buildings at Paine Field, not far from the PUD operations center.

The Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center installed an Energy Ball about 1½ years ago. The Future of Flight Museum had one put up in September, said Mary Brueggeman, development director for the museum.

The Energy Ball has six rotary blades on a horizontal axis that spin within a 6.5-foot-diameter spherical frame. The device is made by Home Energy Americas of McKinney, Texas, and distributed by Northwest Windpower of Seattle.

Up-to-date figures for the power generated at the two buildings was not available Wednesday. In 2010, the unit on the training center generated a total of 380 kilowatts for its first six months, amounting to a small, supplemental amount of the power used by the business.

The Energy Ball comes in two sizes. The V200, of the type on the airport buildings, runs about $22,000 and the smaller V100 about $12,000.

A homeowner installing any of the units at a residence can use a federal tax credit to knock 30 percent off the total cost of purchase and installation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Oliver Popa, 7, poses with his book, "Drippey Plants a Garden," on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds 7-year-old publishes children’s book featuring ‘Drippey’ the bee

Oliver Popa’s first grade teacher said he should publish a longer version of a writing assignment. A year later, his mother — a publisher — helped made it happen.

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Percy Levy, who served 17 years for drug-related crimes, outside his new business Redemption Auto along Highway 99 on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett man, arrested on drugs, weapons charges, moved to federal detention

In addition to Percy Levy, U.S. marshals transferred a second suspect in the case to federal custody.

2025 Emerging Leader Anthony Hawley (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Anthony Hawley: Creating friendships and filling pantries

Since 2021, Hawley has increased donations to Lake Stevens Community Food Bank through fundraising and building donor relationships.

Gary Petershagen
Lake Stevens council member announces reelection run

Gary Petershagen is seeking a third term on the council.

2025 Emerging Leader Megan Kemmett (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Megan Kemmett: Seeking solutions to any problem or obstacle

Executive director of Snohomish Community Food Bank overcomes obstacles to keep people fed.

Director for the Snohomish County Health Department Dennis Worsham leads a short exercise during the Edge of Amazing event on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department faces up to $3.4 million in cuts

The two federal grants provided funding for immunizations and disease prevention awareness efforts.

2025 Emerging Leader DeLon Lewis (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
DeLon Lewis: Helping students succeed

Program specialist for Everett Community College believes leadership is about building bridges.

Daron Johnson, who runs Snohomish County Scanner, stands next to his scanner setup on Tuesday, April 1 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Snohomish County law enforcement to encrypt police airwaves

The plan for civilian police scanners to go dark pushed a host to shut down his popular breaking news feed.

Richie Gabriel, 1, jumps off the bottom of the slide as Matthew Gabriel looks down at him from the play structure at Hummingbird Hill Park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds residents show up for Hummingbird Hill Park, Frances Anderson Center

After a two-and-a-half hour public comment session, the council tabled its votes for the two comprehensive plan amendments.

Students Haddie Shorb, 9, left, and brother Elden Shorb, 11, right, lead the ground breaking at Jackson Elementary School on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett Public Schools breaks ground on Jackson Elementary replacement

The $54 million project will completely replace the aging elementary school. Students are set to move in by the 2026-27 school year.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.