Windy Hill Wind Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Windy Hill Wind Farm |
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Windy Hill Wind Farm
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| Country | Australia |
| Location | Ravenshoe, Queensland |
| Coordinates | 17°35′32″S 145°31′50″E / 17.59222°S 145.53056°E |
| Construction began | 1999 |
| Commission date | August 2000 |
| Construction cost | $20 million |
| Owner(s) | RATCH-Australia |
The Windy Hill Wind Farm is a special place that uses wind to make electricity. It is located near a town called Ravenshoe in Queensland, Australia. This wind farm has 20 large wind turbines.
These turbines can create 12 megawatts (MW) of electricity. That's enough power for about 3,500 homes! Building the wind farm cost around A$20 million. It was the second wind farm ever built in Queensland. The first one was smaller and built in 1997 on Thursday Island.
The Windy Hill Wind Farm started making power in the year 2000. It was first run by a company called Stanwell Corporation. Later, in 2007, it was sold to Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund (TSIF). This sale was part of the Queensland Government's plan to use more clean energy. A new power station was built to help connect the wind farm's power to the main electricity lines. In 2011, a company called RATCH-Australia bought TSIF and now owns the wind farm.
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How Wind Turbines Work
Wind turbines are like giant windmills that capture the energy from the wind. They have large blades that spin when the wind blows. This spinning motion turns a generator inside the turbine, which then creates electricity.
Turbine Design and Size
The wind turbines at Windy Hill are called Enercon E40 models. Each tower stands about 44 meters (144 feet) tall. The blades on these turbines can spin at different speeds, from 14 to 38 rotations per minute. This helps them make electricity efficiently.
Connecting to the Grid
The electricity made by each turbine travels through underground cables. These cables carry the power to a special station. From there, the electricity is sent to the main power lines, which then deliver it to homes and businesses.
Where the Wind Farm Is Located
The Windy Hill Wind Farm is built on private land. This land is still used as a dairy farm, even with the turbines standing there. This shows how wind farms can share space with other important activities like farming.
