Kiosk at the base of the Lamma WindsNordex N50/800kW wind turbine on Lamma Island with displays showing current power output and cumulative energy produced.The Hancock County wind energy center in Iowa
The great majority of wind turbines around the world belong to individuals or corporations who use them to generate electric power or to perform mechanical work. As such, wind turbines are primarily designed to be working devices. However, the large size and height above surroundings of modern industrial wind turbines, combined with their moving rotors, often makes them among the most conspicuous objects in their areas. A few localities have exploited the attention-getting nature of wind turbines by placing them on public display, either with visitor centers on their bases, or with viewing areas farther away.[1] The wind turbines themselves are generally of conventional horizontal-axis, three-bladed design, and generate power to feed electrical grids, but they also serve the unconventional roles of technology demonstration, public relations, and education.
Albany Wind Farm has board walks, viewing towers, interpretive displays and picnic areas on and around the site. It is also traversed by the Bibbulmun Track.
Green Britain Centre, Swaffham, Norfolk - the only wind turbine in the UK that is open for the public to climb. Also doubles as a visitor's centre, cafe and education provider. "Permanently closed" for the third time.[3]
Whitelee Wind Farm near Glasgow has become the first wind energy project in Scotland to join the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA).
United States
South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Wind Turbine
Brooklyn, New York Sims Metal Management, a large recycling company which holds a 40-year contract with the City of New York has a 160-foot 100 kW small wind turbine which sits on the north corner of the property.[7] When it was activated in January 2015, it was the city's tallest. It produces about 4% of the facility's power. The Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility administrative building includes an education center which includes exhibits explaining how the plant operates for student and tour groups and connects to the main processing building for public viewing via elevated pedestrian walkway.[8]
Ellensburg, Washington – Puget Sound Energy's Renewable Energy Center at the Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility has a 5,000 sq. ft. visitor center, which features numerous exhibits, a conference room, and guided tours to the base of a wind turbine. The center sits on a ridge at 3,500 ft. in the middle of the 149 turbine facility (Vestas V80 turbines). The Wild Horse Wind Farm is open to visitors from 9:00-5:30 daily, from April through November.[10]
McKinney, Texas has a Wal-Mart store with several sustainability features, including two wind turbines manufactured by Bergey Windpower, of 1 kW and 50 kW nameplate capacity respectively[14]
Some wind turbines on public display go one further, with observation decks beneath their nacelles. The observation decks are accessed with stairs inside the tower.
^10 Fun Facts About the Sunset Park Material Recovery Facility, NYC's State of the Art Municipal Recycling Facility - Untapped New York (untappedcities.com)
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