Cliff House wind turbine proposed for 3-year spin
Image courtesy NPS.
A wind turbine could be installed at the Cliff House under a proposal being considered by the National Park Service.
The proposal calls for the installation of a turbine in the southwest corner of the observation deck, on the upper level of the Cliff House outside Sutro’s restaurant. The turbine would be installed over a few days starting July 1 if the plan is approved, and would operate for a three-year test period.
Unlike a traditional windmill with rapidly turning blades or sails, the turbine would use a disc-shaped generator designed to turn within a frame at just 85 rotations per minute. The Park Service says this turbine would be safe for birds and bats, but will stop the test operation if any bird is injured.
The turbine also complies with State Historic Preservation Office rules, according to the NPS.
According to the NPS, the turbine would be almost 31 feet tall from the floor of the observation deck and would be a little less than 9 feet taller than the top of Sutro’s restaurant.
The turbine would generate enough power to supply the Cliff House gift shop, according to the NPS.
The National Park Service is seeking public input on the Cliff House wind turbine proposal. Email Alexandra_Picavet@nps.gov, call (415) 786-8021 or write to GGNRA, 201 Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123.
What Tom said. Turbines at the beach could practically power the entire city some days. I’ve spent many a time walking up the calm dunes to get blasted by that ocean air. It’s always a fun little trick to pull on out of town guests.
July 1 start date? Has the Coastal Commission approved this? Being a federal agency the NPS needs a federal consistency determination review by the CCC prior to commencing the project. In the past, the CCC has found that alt. energy devices (solar, wind etc.) can sometimes have unpleasant and unacceptable adverse impacts on views, especially when mounted up high. Lands End and Sutro area are sensitive viewsheds of critical importance. While I support the NPS, the Cliff House remodel a few years back and the more recent Interpretive Center have both turned out to be unfortunate massive view blocking structures. Regardless of promises, this should be looked at from the perspective of precedent, and what a 100 other turbine towers would look like throughout SF coastal area….
Wind Turbines sure make a lot more sense than solar panels on the Great Highway….consistent supply of wind for them and not for solar with the fog. Also solar will rust out before their design life ends….not good