VISUAL SIMULATIONS

What Are Visual Simulations?

An important component of the development of a wind farm is preparing realistic and accurate visual simulations of how the completed project will look. This allows the developer, landowners, concerned citizens, and permitting officials to visualize the project from various perspectives and under different conditions. Environmental Design and Research (EDR) of Syracuse, NY, a firm with extensive experience in this field, prepared the visual simulations and viewshed analysis of the Sunshine Wind project.

The process begins by taking digital photographs from representative locations and recording the exact coordinates--as well as visual landmarks like signs, trees, and communications towers--to orient the picture. Using the actual measurements of the proposed wind turbines' size and design, and proposed turbine configurations, the software program then inserts precisely scaled images of the turbines into the photograph in the proper locations, creating an accurate simulation of the wind farm.

IMAGE 1 - Looking West toward Sunshine Project from Dennisson on I-40, approximately 6 miles away (view larger image)

IMAGE 2 - Looking Northwest towards San Francisco Peaks from the slot #70 of Meteor Crater RV Park on edge of I-40, nearest turbines approximately 2 miles away (view larger image)

IMAGE 3- Looking Northwest towards San Francisco Peaks from I-40 exit 233 for Meteor Crater, nearest turbines 1.5 miles (view larger image)

IMAGE 3a - Same location as viewpoint #3, but looking North Northwest towards existing cell towers and wind turbines closest to I-40, approximately two thirds of a mile (view larger image)

IMAGE 4 - Looking North from Meteor Crater Visitor Center towards the project and I-40, nearest turbines are 3 miles away (view larger image)

IMAGE 5 - Looking East from I-40 near Two Guns toward the project, nearest turbines 3 miles (view larger image)

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