Electric vehicle maker Rivian is working with renewable energy company Apex Clean Energy to develop and construct a large-scale wind turbine at its Normal manufacturing campus in Illinois.
The turbine will have a capacity of 2.8 MW and will be capable of generating approximately 10 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, which is sufficient to power 890 average US homes. Over a lifetime of 25 years, the turbine will be able to avoid 177,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
“To us, our job isn’t done when our vehicles come off the line,” said Andrew Peterman, Rivian Director of Renewable Energy. “While we’re working hard to help electrify transportation, we’re also pushing to accelerate the shift to carbon-free electricity for all. This wind turbine is an early step on that path, and it’s also a beacon of our vision for a clean energy future.”
The turbines will enable the firm to power its R1 vehicles for their first charge with renewable energy. The wind turbines will be less than 510ft tall with white, reflective blades. The site will be on the east side of Rivian’s manufacturing campus. Sound is expected to average 35 decibels.
The project aligns with Rivian’s goal to add renewable resources in parts of the country where it is needed the most. Currently, the Illinois grid is powered by 11% renewables.
