LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities have installed the state's first utility wind turbine.
The 165-foot-tall turbine was installed in Mercer County as part of the Renewable Integration Research Facility at the E.W. Brown Generating Station.Â
Data collected from the turbine will be used to determine the potential for wind to contribute to renewable energy production in the state.
"Research and development are key to reducing carbon emissions in the years to come, and studying wind energy is a natural progression in our all-of-the-above research strategy," LG&E/KU President John R. Crockett III said in a news release Wednesday. "We are evaluating a number of energy resources to help us understand integration of a variety of generation sources while maintaining affordability and reliability for our customers. While this wind turbine is not expected to produce a large amount of energy, it will provide insight and data that will help us analyze our options for the future."
When the wind is blowing, LG&E and KU said the turbine will be able to power up to 90 Kentucky homes.
Over the course of a year, the turbine is expected to power 16 homes.
Leaders said "studying the integration of wind energy is important because it complements solar power, which is best in the summer and during the day. Wind, on the other hand, provides more power in the winter and at night."
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