The Altamont Pass is a mountain pass in Northern California, United States, located between Livermore in the Livermore Valley and Tracy in the San Joaquin Valley. The pass is similar in height to Pacheco Pass to the south. In a range of hills, or especially of mountains, a pass (also gap, notch, col, saddle, bwlch or bealach) is a lower point that allows easier access through the range. ... Northern California, refers to the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. ... The city of Livermore highlighted within Alameda County Livermore is a city located in Alameda County, California. ... Livermore Valley, is a valley in California, USA, surrounding a city of the same name, Livermore. ... Tracy is a city located in San Joaquin County, California. ... The eight-county San Joaquin Valley is the part of the Central Valley of California that lies south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta in Stockton. ... Pacheco Pass is a mountain pass located in southern Santa Clara County, California. ...

The pass carries Interstate 580, heavily congested by Central Valley suburbanization, and two railroad right-of-ways (ROWs). Only one right-of-way is still in use: the old Western Pacific ROW, now owned by Union Pacific; it is today used for the Altamont Commuter Express, with service to Pleasanton, Fremont, and San Jose. The abandoned right-of-way was used by Southern Pacific, which is now part of Union Pacific. Another Interstate 580 exists in Reno, Nevada, but is signed only as US 395. ... The California Central Valley Part of the Valley as seen from overhead A typical Central Valley scene at ground level The California Central Valley is a large, flat valley that dominates the central portion of the U.S. state of California. ... Suburbanisation is a term used by many to describe the current social urban dynamic operating within many parts of the developed world and is related to the phenomenon of urban sprawl. ... The Western Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark WP) was a Class I railroad in the United States. ... The Union Pacific Railroad (NYSE: UNP) is the largest railroad in the United States. ... The Altamont Commuter Express leaving Pleasanton station. ... Official website: http://www. ... Fremont (IPA: ) is a city in California which was incorporated on January 23, 1956, from the merger of five smaller communities: Centerville, Irvington, Mission San Jose, Niles, and Warm Springs. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Capital of Silicon Valley Location Location of San Jose within Santa Clara County, California. ... The Southern Pacific Railroad (AAR reporting mark SP) was an American railroad. ... The Union Pacific Railroad (NYSE: UNP) is the largest railroad in the United States. ...

Wind farm

a vista of wind turbines at Altamont Pass

The pass is known for its wind farm, one of the earliest in the United States. The wind farm is composed of over 6000 relatively small wind turbines of various types, making it at one time the largest farm in the world in terms of capacity. Altamont Pass is still the largest concentration of wind turbines in the world. They were installed after the 1970s energy crisis in response to favorable tax policies for investors. Image File history File linksMetadata Wind_energy_converter5. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Wind_energy_converter5. ... Wind turbines in Neuenkirchen, Dithmarschen (Germany). ... WWII era steam turbine used for ship propulsion. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... An energy crisis is any great shortfall (or price rise) in the supply of energy resources to an economy. ...

Considered largely obsolete, these numerous small turbines are being gradually replaced with much larger and more cost-effective units. The small turbines are dangerous to various raptors that hunt California Ground Squirrels in the area. The larger units turn slower and, being elevated higher, are less hazardous to the local wildlife. Orders Accipitriformes     Cathartidae     Pandionidae     Accipitridae     Sagittariidae Falconiformes     Falconidae A bird of prey or raptor is a bird that hunts its food, especially one that preys on mammals or other birds. ... Binomial name Spermophilus beecheyi (Richardson, 1829) The California Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi (referred to in some older sources as Otospermophilus beecheyi), is a common and easily observed ground squirrel of the western United States and Baja California; it is common in Oregon and California and its range has relatively recently...

An advantage of this particular site is that under hot inland (California Central Valley) conditions a thermal low is developed that brings in cool coastal marine air through this pass, driving the turbines at a time of maximum need. Unfortunately this is not always reliable and with an inland high pressure condition the entire region can be both hot and windless. At this time additional power must be provided by natural gas powered gas turbine peaker plants. The California Central Valley Part of the Valley as seen from overhead A typical Central Valley scene at ground level The California Central Valley is a large, flat valley that dominates the central portion of the U.S. state of California. ... Many stoves use natural gas. ... Peaker power plants are power plants that generally run only when there is a high demand, known as peak demand, for electricity. ...

External links

• Windfarms of the World
• 30 photos of Altamont Pass Wind Farm

See also

• Altamont (disambiguation)
• Tehachapi Pass - wind farm