Interview with Gary Cammack
Interviewer: Chelsea Hummon
Background:
The bus crew is at Cammack Ranch Supply in Union Center SD because they carry small scale wind turbines from Skystream Energy. They have had two turbines installed to supplement their energy supply for about 18 months now.
Q: How many KW are the two turbines outside capable of producing?
A: They are capable of producing 2,500 KW/month a piece, but are currently at 400-600KW/month. The lower output is due to regulatory issues.
Q: Why are the turbines governed?
A: There were originally safety concerns with the generators producing over 600KW/month. Since then the UL has done research proving otherwise. In addition to safety, it was easier for Skystream to get them on the market at the lower output and change them from there. So, currently they are waiting for the green light from regulator organization to change the software for a higher output.
Q: How much of the power to Cammack Ranch Supply is from the wind turbines?
A: Currently those turbines are powering about 1/3 of the total power used for the buildings, with between 600 and 1200 KW/ month combined.
Q: Have there been any noise complaints concerning the spinning of the turbine blades?
A: No, there have been no comments from customers.
Q: How high does the wind speed get before the turbines lock up?
A: They lock up around 50-60 mph, but they have made it through a couple of 70-80 mph wind storms. The survival speed is 140 mph.
Q: Are the skystream energy windturbines popular here?
A: I’ve sold two or three of them this year.
Q: Do you recommend them to everyone?
A: I recommend that folks wait for the software changes that are in the works so that the energy output is greater. But, if a household wants to use one of these as is, it would supply just about enough energy to power an average home.
Q: What one thing would you like to see happen in SD and/or nationally to encourage locally owned wind?
A: I would like to see a national power grid so that all of this energy can get on the grid, but even without it people can use it at their own homes.
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