LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky now has a brand new wind turbine and an extra renewable energy and power source.
Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) are elevating energy-saving alternatives for Kentuckians.
“We have over $92 million in active federal awards that are powering all of the renewable energy and energy research projects that we have across our portfolio right now,” said Aron Patrick, director of research and development at PPL Corporation.
Mercer County's new utility wind turbine stands 165 feet tall. It will record and determine whether wind energy is a suitable power product for the state.
The University of Kentucky (UK) is studying the turbine's performance efficiency. Grants from the U.S. Department of Energy support the site.
“In the past, historically, oftentimes we've thought that there was not going to be enough wind in Kentucky to be able to generate much electricity," said Larry Holloway, UK KU endow professor of electrical and computer engineering. "Things have changed dramatically in the last few years."
Patrick said modern wind-towers are larger and have longer blades. Plus, the cost of both solar and wind energy sources has been declining in recent years, which is why they're testing this turbine for future use.
Pollinator habitats that hold 64 native plants and 200 sheep surround the turbine, maintaining the vegetation under 44,500 solar panels.
The site also relies on other conservation methods to minimize the negative impact of energy on the environment. Patrick added in a year, he expects the new wind turbine to produce enough energy to power 16 homes.