Just six months after the installation of two power-producing wind turbines at Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc. the turbines are producing more electrical power than was anticipated when the towers went into operation in January.

The wind turbines have exceeded the projected power output figures by 6.3 percent, and have contributed toward reducing the carbon dioxide emissions of power production, helping Honda reach its voluntary goals to reduce the environmental impact of its products and manufacturing operations by 2020. This includes a 30 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from Honda products, and significant CO2 reductions from the company’s plants and other operations, compared with year 2000 levels.

The two turbines, standing 260 feet tall with 160-foot blades, were initially projected to produce upward of 10,000 megawatt hours (MWH) of electricity per year, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the plant’s annual power needs. The turbines have outperformed company projections in four of the six months since operation began. At their highest output, the turbines provided 16.26 percent of the plant’s power requirements for the month of April.

“We are extremely pleased with the performance of the wind turbines’ production over their first six months,” said Gary Hand, vice president of Honda Transmission Mfg. of America. “The turbines’ operation has exceeded the projections established during the project development.”

The installation of the turbines makes the Russells Point plant the first major automotive facility in the United States to receive a substantial amount of its power from on-site wind turbines. The project was developed and installed by Juhl Energy from Pipestone, Minnesota. The two turbines are owned by ConEdison Solutions.

To achieve their new environmental targets, Honda is accelerating its efforts to advance the environmental performance of its products, and its operations throughout North America. The wind turbine project is among a number of other initiatives at Honda plants to reduce energy use and waste from manufacturing operations.

 Post-gazette