• Wind Energy Production Temporarily Stopped

    For over a week now, wind has been blowing, but the wind turbine has unfortunately been unable to spin. On October 2nd, the gear box (which is essential in allowing the blades to rotate and in generating mechanical power) malfunctioned. Facilities will have to find a crane to come in and make the appropriate repairs. There is a strong possibility that the repairs will involve at least partially deconstructing the turbine. This means that the blades may have to be temporarily removed—it will certainly be odd to look out at the horizon and see the turbine without its three blades. Hopefully, the gear box can be repaired or replaced within a month so that we can take advantage of Minnesota’s fall breezes and start producing energy as soon as possible.

    To learn about how wind turbines produce power, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program website.