Wind turbine at Rebecca Shivvers' rural Ames home

Wind Energy Comes Home

For employees of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, taking their workday mission of “creating materials and energy solutions” home with them often means conserving energy resources with hybrid cars and efficient home appliances.  But two Ames Laboratory staff members, Rebecca Shivvers and John Clough, have gone a step further by generating clean energy with wind turbines at their homes.

Shivvers, who works in administration for Ames Lab’s Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering, and Clough, the Lab’s head accountant, both had turbines installed on their property this spring.

As pioneers in installing residential wind turbines, Shivvers and Clough — and their wind turbines — have both recently been featured on television news programs.  Shivvers appeared in a story on the Des Moines news station WHO as part of their “Renew Iowa” series about “green” activities going on in the state.  The story included a taped interview and a live introduction on the morning news show, complete with a surprise flyover by the WHO news helicopter.

"I was standing in my kitchen washing dishes that morning and happened to see an aerial shot of my wind turbine spinning on TV," says Shivvers.  "And, sure enough, I looked out the front window to see WHO doing a live feed from the end of my driveway."

Clough appeared on Iowa Public Television’s Market to Market, a program about agricultural business that appears on 80 stations in more than 20 states.  Clough served as an example of rural Americans embracing personal wind power generation.  The news crew taped Clough here at the Lab (to capture his “exciting life as an accountant/farmer” he quips) and covered the construction of his turbine.

Insider, Ames Laboratory’s employee newsletter, talked with Clough and Shivvers to learn more about why they installed their wind turbines and some of the challenges and benefits they’ve experienced.

What made you decide to put a wind turbine up at your home?

Rebecca Shivvers:  I have always wanted to be self-sufficient and not have to rely on an entity like a utility company.  When the wind turbine technology became available at a more affordable price, I began looking.  After three years of researching, I decided the time was now. 
In the beginning, the turbines were around $5,000 for a 33-foot tower, and I noticed the prices were steadily increasing annually.  Because this was new technology, I wanted others to get the bugs out of the turbine before I purchased.  But, last fall, I thought the time was right — no Iowa sales tax and a federal government incentive.

John Clough:  First, the “Recovery Act” tax incentives made 2009 a particularly attractive year to erect a wind turbine.  Thirty percent of the total cost can be deducted from my tax bill as a “tax credit.”  Second, there’s the attractiveness of a “green” source of energy.  And third, I was looking to diversify some of my long-term investments.  The return on my investment in wind energy may or may not pay off; however, it’s already performing better than some of my regular investments.

What was the process to get the turbine?  What hurdles did you overcome?

JC: The first step was a lot of research into the feasibility of the turbine.  Once I determined it was possible, I contacted a wind turbine dealer in Des Moines who helped me determine a suitable building site and started purchasing the equipment.   At the same time, I signed an interconnection agreement with my rural power cooperative.  I also investigated insurance requirements and adjusted my insurance to meet the needs of the interconnection agreement. 
Just before construction, I obtained a construction permit from Story County.  Once we had a calm day, the turbine was raised. 

RS: I am on the Boone County Planning and Zoning Commission.  We updated our ordinance about two years ago to include solar and wind, since I was going to purchase a system.  Now, a $35 building permit is all that is required for installing a turbine. 

However, one of my neighbors was concerned with his skyscape, dead birds laying around, whooshing noises, the tower falling over, and mental and physical impairments, to name a few.  But, the biggest hurdle was the electric company since no one had ever constructed a wind tower and hooked up to their grid.  Their contract was not for residential homeowners. 

Furthermore, they required a million dollar insurance policy with their name on it.  I had to go to another insurance agency after the agency I had for 40 years gave up attempting to meet the electric company’s needs.  They, too, had never written such a policy and were unable to write a policy with the company’s name.  Several of these agencies called me a pioneer, who blazed a trail to make it easier for others.  For me, the total time from purchase to installation was about six months.  Now, I believe the process can be streamlined into one month.

One other challenge I ran into was that my first tower was made with four cylinders.  The turbine bobbled so much with the wind that it would spin fast and shut off because of “grid voltage.”  After monitoring this for about three weeks, the company developed a five-cylinder monopole that was thicker.  Since the cylinders nest inside each other from 11-18 inches, this made a stronger tower.  Since reinstallation, I haven’t had any problems with the turbine.  It’s only stopped because of no wind.

What size is your wind turbine?  How much energy does it produce?

RS: My turbine is a Skystream 2.8 on a 50-foot monopole.  A recent windy day generated almost 25 kilowatt hours.  Late spring, summer and early fall are the days with the least amount of wind, so wind generation has been down the last couple of weeks. 

JC: The pole supporting my turbine is also 50 feet high.  The diameter of the blades is 12 feet.  It is rated at 1.6 kilowatts, with a maximum output of 2.6.  Since we are in the “calm” summer months, I am only producing about an average of 5 kilowatt hours a day.  I hope the average will go up during the windy months.

How do you monitor the power generation?

JC:  The power company installed a meter specifically for the turbine.  I also have software that directly relays information to my home computer.

RS:  I have the same software as John, and it uses a small box to monitor the tower wirelessly.  The software features many parameters:  amount of electricity generated in any specific time period, real time graphing of the current power generation, and amount of carbon saved compared to regular coal-generated electricity.

How did it feel to “turn the switch” for the first time and know your home was being powered by your turbine?

JC: I really felt a relief that all of the paperwork had paid off.  I was finally seeing a payoff from my research and phone calls.

RS: When the turbine is generating electricity, it is a very different psychological feeling when I’m turning on lights, using the computer or watching the news.  Initially, thinking about the wind powering these appliances as I used them gave me goose bumps.  And the morning when WHO was sending a live feed from the end of my driveway at 5 a.m., and I’m inside seeing the blades of my tower spinning on the television was awesome.

What has the reaction been — from neighbors, passers-by, kids, co-workers — to your turbine?

RS:  The response has been overwhelming.  I receive a couple of e-mails a week asking about the tower, process and my thoughts.  I gave a presentation at one of our condensed matter physics luncheons, and used this same presentation for Ames Planning and Housing Development Department officials a few Fridays ago.  The officials are writing an ordinance for Ames and wanted to see and hear firsthand from a user.  I set up a computer and monitor in the garage with two long extension cords.  I told them this was why I needed to generate my own electricity. 
One Sunday, I had two different families stop by curious about the tower.  Several co-workers have been asking for updates along the way because they are interested in generating their own electricity as well.

JC:  There has been a lot of curiosity.  Cars slow down on the highway near our home and people gawk.  Plus, the turbine has been a great way to expand contact with my neighbors.

The wind turbine is located a short distance from Rebecca Shivvers' home.

What advice would you give to others considering a wind turbine at their home?
RS:  The biggest misnomer I have found with those talking about purchasing a wind tower is they think it will power 100 percent of their energy use.  They don’t think about the days the wind is not blowing sufficiently.  The advice I give them is come on over, and I’ll show them how it operates.  This is the easiest way to clear up any confusion.  To just explain the turbine and its operation is difficult, since people can’t picture it.  I saw one other turbine and spoke to someone near my hometown before I purchased.  I learned a lot from this family and did a lot of other research.
JC:  I agree.  Research is the key.  A turbine isn’t for everyone.  You need ample space.

What was it like to be a wind-turbine TV star in your appearance on the news?
RS:  I was surprised at the outpouring of “I saw you on TV the other day.  Cool tower.  How do you like it?” which usually leads into a 5-10 minute discussion.  Yesterday, I had several people from my hometown tell me they saw “me and my wind turbine on TV.”
JC:  From a personal standpoint, the process of photographing the story was interesting since I used to “shoot” videotape for the news division of WOI-TV.  The process hadn’t changed much in the 15 years since I left WOI.  Plus, I guess this used up my 15 minutes of fame.

How would you describe the intersection of your work life and home life since you help create energy solutions in both areas? 
JC:  Who better to use “clean” energy than an employee of a Department of Energy laboratory?  If we can’t individually do our part in leading by example when it comes to energy conservation and clean generation, who else will?
RS:  Both at work and at home, I believe I am making an important contribution toward saving the planet’s resources.  Money isn’t everything.  It won’t buy what is no longer around.