Wind turbines have also been installed in the San Gorgonio Pass southeast of Los Angeles, and in the Altamont Pass east of San Francisco. The wind turbines in the scenic Tehachapi Mountains rank among the world's major engineering achievements, rivaling in scale for example, France's famous La Rance tidal power plant. There are more than a dozen different kinds of wind turbines operating in California today. They are now phased out in favor of horizontal axis turbines. They turn themselves on when conditions are right, and they turn themselves off when the winds are too strong, or when they sense a problem.
Most turbines change directions as the wind changes.
The Eggbatter turbines accept the wind from all directions. The turbines are designed to operate 20 years. During that time, the blades, transmissions, generators, and other moving part will be rebuilt or replaced. Because of California's dry climate the metal structure supporting the turbines should last indefinitely. Visit the Library of Congress for U.S. Copyrights Law.