Projects: Inland Empire - Rancho Cucamonga, CA

2011 Inland Empire Utility Agency Powering Water Recycling Facility With Utility Scale Wind Turbine

On December 27, 2011, Foundation Windpower and IEUA announced the commissioning of a 1 megawatt (MW) wind turbine generator to deliver 100% renewable energy on-site to the IEUA’s Water Recycling Plant (RP4) located in Rancho Cucamonga, California. This project is the first of its kind to utilize a utility-scale wind turbine on site at a large facility in San Bernardino County. The 180-foot tall wind turbine will supply up to 20% of the electricity consumed by IEUA’s plant which produces about 10 million gallons per day of recycled water used to preserve and protect local drinking water supplies to residents in IEUA’s service area.

This wind turbine installation is the latest step in IEUA’s on-going strategic energy goal of “Going Gridless by 2020.” Such efforts have also included installing 3.5 MW of solar power at 4 of IEUA’s facilities, a 2.8 MW biogas fuel cell and collaboration with SCE on operational measures which conserve energy usage at all of their facilities. The wind turbine allows IEUA to move closer to meeting its strategic energy plan goals with minimal capital outlay.

“We are pleased to have Foundation Windpower on our site,” says IEUA’s Board Vice President Michael Camacho, who represents the city of Rancho Cucamonga. “The new wind turbine provides clean renewable energy, provides a hedge against potential volatility in future energy prices, as well as improved operational reliability.”