The Turbine of Truth – Which Way Does the Wind Blow? Part One

The First Urban Wind Turbine in North America

By Elena Christopoulos

As spring has fully sprung, I write this article on one windy day in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. What you need to know is that I have always believed in alternative energy, but specifically, wind energy — a site just needed the right type of turbine that would integrate into the surrounding community.

I am an energy consultant who has been typically referred to as a ‘wind guru’. Thus far in my career, I have encountered numerous questions such as:

• How loud are these windmills? Answer: The average sound is 40 db (decibels). In laymen’s terms this is the sound of a quiet suburb at night. (In the energy field windmills are called turbines, windmills in fact pump water).
• How many birds are killed? Answer: Less than one in ten thousand, more birds are killed by high rise buildings. Birds change migratory patterns with respect to turbines and unfortunately are drawn to lights left on in office building high rises and are unable to change their patterns and fly directly into the glass windows.
• How much energy is produced? Answer: It depends on the wind class and what type of energy storage system is used in conjugation with the turbine.
• Will my property values go down? Answer: In my opinion, never.

In 1997 I, with the help of two of my friends, implemented the first urban turbine in North America (erected in downtown Toronto in 2002), the first community-owned power wind project in Ontario. The turbine stands 30 stories tall and generates an average of 1,000 megawatt hours of power/year, equivalent to the electricity needs of over 200 homes. The story of the Toronto turbine is a story in of itself.

I came to sunny California to work with the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) to help install renewable energy projects on their campuses. The result:  the first urban turbine in Los Angeles County, which was no easy feat, in less than six months.

For the project in Los Angeles, my assignments varied on a day-to-day basis. Working in the construction industry, I collaborated with structural engineers for placement of urban turbines on existing buildings, worked with architects to define master planning applications, confirming the placement of wind turbine(s) and solar arrays. I also helped advance and shape international conversations on renewable energy programs, including topics related to energy independence, energy efficiency, energy conservation and green jobs. That is what I hope happens as I embark on this dialogue with you as you learn more of the story of the LA turbine.

With global economies focusing on sustainability, the future will include broad growth in green career opportunities. The successful delivery of these programs rests on leaders who have a genuine passion for the environment. This passion is crucial for individuals who wish to succeed in these jobs.

I am an environmentalist first and foremost. Always follow your passion – don’t hop onto the ‘green bubble’ just to be green. Growing up in Europe and then moving to Toronto, Canada provided me with a glimpse of cultural differences that separate Europe from North America concerning the environment. In my late teens, I didn’t understand the lack of information and education in North America within the environmental field and have since been determined to change it.

Everyone told me that a wind turbine in Los Angeles would never happen. Well, there is one and it only took six months, on a community college campus in LA County. Now, I consider that a pretty good start for the City of Los Angeles.

(Please visit us again soon for part 2)

For more information on alternative energy, please visit the EnviroCitizen.org articles library where you will find hundreds of articles on this topic.  Additionally, you may like to visit the EnviroCitizen.org forum for a more interactive discussion on alternative energy.

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Elena Christopoulos is an environmental consultant based out of Los Angeles and Toronto. Ms.Christopoulos has advised some of North America’s most recognizable Fortune 500 companies, and also advises political campaigns and parties on electoral strategy, in both the public and private sectors in Canada, Europe, and the United States. 

Her areas of specialty: are green environmental initiatives, alternative energy and health related initiatives and she is often referred to as a ‘wind guru’.

In 1997 she implemented the first urban turbine in North America (erected in downtown Toronto in 2002), the first community-owned power wind project in Ontario, and she has been involved in similar projects worldwide ever since — implemented recycling programs globally and lobbying for environmental issues to help frame public policy.

This ‘wind guru’s’ latest achievement is erecting the first wind turbine on a community college campus in LA County.