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Keeping Wind Farms Connected

The wind power industry grew rapidly in 2005, becoming more competitive as natural gas prices jumped and crude oil prices reached record highs. Improved technology, a federal tax credit, and pressure on utilities to use clean energy sources helped fuel the growth from coast to coast. Although the demand for wind-derived energy has increased, many wind farms located in rural areas are at a technological disadvantage. Giant windmills—on scenic mountain ridges, prairie grass and even Indian reservations—have one thing in common: because of their location, they are unable to receive terrestrial broadband connectivity.

As a result, many wind farm operators find themselves struggling to maintain employee productivity as their employees are forced to leave the job site numerous times a day to travel to an urban area to access the Internet in order to check email or to predict wind machine performance at a specific location.

Satellite is helping to change this. For years, Pete Share, CEO of DCS Satellite and Security and a HughesNet^® dealer, has brought high-quality and reliable satellite broadband access to wind farms operating in the rural mountains of northern California, a feat that many terrestrial operators still struggle to undertake. As a result, the wind farmers have realized increased productivity and are better able to track the performance of their farms operating in several dispersed areas.

Is Anyone Out There?

According to Share, many of the wind farms operating in California are in remote areas, sometimes two to three hours away from the nearest city. Although most of the farms are equipped with landline phones, they all lack broadband connectivity—making it impossible for workers to carry out basic functions that have become essential to successful business operations, such as checking email.

“Many people have the misconception that satellite broadband is a last resort technology—a ‘use it because there’s nothing else’ type of technology. The Hughes service is good on its own—not just because there is nothing else to be had,” said Share.

In fact, HughesNet is so good that many of the wind farm operators Share services are considering using their satellite broadband service as a back-up phone service and offering Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) at each of their sites.

Welcome to the 21st Century

“HughesNet allows me to bring my clients into the 21st century,” said Share. “With always-on, reliable Internet access, they don’t miss a beat and their businesses are able to stay current with timely information.”

“The HughesNet service speaks for itself. Whenever I visit customers, they are always happy.”

From wind farm operators to small business owners to grandparents who want to stay in touch with their grandchildren, HughesNet makes broadband connectivity a reality for those who have been told that broadband access in their community is a pipe dream.

“I enjoy serving as a HughesNet dealer. Not only do I realize the tangible benefi ts, but it makes me proud to know that I am responsible for giving people in my community the connectivity that they desperately need,” said Share.