The turbines with 160-foot blades will be installed on 260-foot towers.
Honda Transmission Manufacturing in Russells Point, Ohio has announced an agreement with Juhl Wind of Minnesota to develop, install, and operate two utility scale wind turbines to generate electricity for the plant’s operations. Two turbines will supply 10% of the plant’s electricity
When the turbines begin operating later this year, the Honda plant will be the first major automotive manufacturing facility in the United States to obtain a significant amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property.
The turbines, with blades approximately 160 feet long, will be installed on 260-foot towers on Honda Transmission property, which is suited for a maximum of two wind turbines. Last June, the Washington Township Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance to the height limitation for the wind turbines.
Studies commissioned by Honda claim that wind-generated power is a cost-effective source of electricity for the plant and that the project will not adversely impact local wildlife or the environment. The two wind turbines based on their location and actual wind speeds will have a combined output estimated at 10,000-megawatt hours per year.
Globally, Honda has voluntary goals to reduce the environmental impact of its products and manufacturing operations by 2020. This includes a 30% 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 eighth annual Honda environmental report just released for the North American region show that the Japanese automaker reduced its output of CO2 with corresponding increases in fuel economy. During the 2012 fiscal year that ended last March, the CO2-adjusted fleet-average fuel economy of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in model year 2011 rose 0.8 mpg, or 3.2%, to 25.7 mpg, compared to the previous model year. This compares to an increase of 0.2 mpg, or 0.4%, to 22.8 mpg for the total U.S. light-duty vehicle fleet during the same period, although it should be note that Honda does not sell relatively less efficient pickup or work trucks whose sales have been recovering form the 2008 market crash.
See:
- Honda Environmental Report Shows CO2 Cuts, Fuel Economy Gains
- Honda to Build 2014 Accord Hybrid in U.S. at Marysville, Ohio
- Tiny Honda Urban SUV Concept Makes World Debut at NAIAS
