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<br /> Wind: Utilities experience 100 percent failure rate from a leading vendor
<br /> continued from front page en off substantially vices, said there have been"some
<br /> "We're frustrated," Bengtson issues on availability" with tur-
<br /> munity-based wind projects tend said "These turbines are sup- bines owned and operated by
<br /> to he small-scale and located near posed to last 20 to 25 years But, MRES 1 hese issues include tur-
<br /> the community that supports we are going through gearboxes bines idled by both mechanical
<br /> them Oftentimes, this location in four to six years That is a 100 and software problems There
<br /> may not be the best wind re- percent failure rate " have also been difficulties in get 14111144444.0.00000111 ,
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<br /> source for a wind turbine, but it Dan Hayes of the Southern ting timely repair services, even
<br /> can still be economically feasible Minnesota Municipal Power though the machines are under .
<br /> and provides a sense of pride for Agency said SMMPA has had warranty. .
<br /> the community "several problems" with the two Following a merger of two
<br /> On the other hand, manufac- 950-kilowatt machines placed companies (which supplied all - -
<br /> Curers have located their mainte- into service in March 2003 A the turbines referenced in this ar- ' _
<br /> Hance facilities in the hub of wind generator bearing went out on a tide), the newly-merged compa- -
<br /> countrythe Buffalo Ridge in machine installed in 2003 l ast ny sought to charge MRES i -
<br /> southwestern Minnesota This is year, one of the generators failed $9,500 per year for an annual - • -
<br /> the best wind resource for tur- 1 here have also been blade prob- maintenance fee, a $3,000 in- 1, .- - ,
<br /> bines, and hundreds have been lems, apparently due to a poor crease MRES entered into a _ -
<br /> built in the area, providing an manufacturing process. maintenance agreement with a i~
<br /> economy of scale for wind tur- "That's been kind of disap- different company -' -r. - - -- •
<br /> bine manufacturers, developers, pointing," Hayes said Now, "we can't get parts in a
<br /> and owners alike •I here have also been blade timely Cashion," Peters said lie i`" -- " .'
<br /> t
<br /> However, in Moorhead's case, problems on newer 1,650-kilo doesn't know if switchingthe i•* - - . r:. •
<br /> both their older and newer Cur- watt machines The blades con-• maintenance contract from the t`r::.. '- - -- - - , ;K • - ,., -
<br /> bines have experienced electron- tam a dampening fluid, which for manufacturer has slowed parts �'_ '; r
<br /> �= , '` =,•-fir. '`s-
<br /> ic problems with computer error some reason is highly corrosive availability, but does know .7„:417:77:,:-.'-,„:,,--;'..- -:,:-:--- . +., °i,• ';',r2-3
<br /> codes that shut down the fur Several blades " :7)'. '7'.. '''-"' =` `- 'p'' ` •^.":,,:.1',',:1::_'.--,.,,. ..µ ,f •
<br /> have been dam- MRES is consideringbuildingits , a,,,,,V,, :t- - _--4- . '` ,,y, ` .y ,1.) ,;
<br /> bines, mechanical problems with aged through leaks One leak also own expensive partsins entory
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<br /> gearbox and oil pump failures resulted in a damaged rotor Peters said the wind industry ,=,y :,; s. ,s„ag f� u'. ,:' ;�. �' X_ti h
<br /> which have required major caps These problems have been touts an availability of 98 per `=«x/'4:7:, ='•' a ' '�`- .4r #='="--'- --i- `ei `' _- '�" _',"'
<br /> Cal investments, and maintenance fixed under warranty, but war- cent, when the wind is blowing at - ..i "1 e-•i 'Y_"" ' 'f:-'z-,,-,;.,-,77-;;;;, - = '`-
<br /> delays due to their distance from ranties only run so long Hayes the proper speeds Sorne of the , • - - •
<br /> the major wind farms in the state would also like to see another MRES turbines hase been avail- =
<br /> . J r ,
<br /> This all impacts Moorhead source for spare parts able only 90 percent of time dui- r- a
<br /> re`
<br /> Public Service's wind turbine "The people that have bought ing some months and one tur- - :�}�•,,=" * ••,.•.'. :' ,---_`
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<br /> mailability While the manufac- these machines are working the time's availability was actually - , . .
<br /> turer guaranteed and met an hugs out," Hayes said "It's a real much lower
<br /> availability factor of 95 percent trial " "That's not good," he said Wind towers are often commissioned with great fanfare But manu-
<br /> during the warranty period, post- Jeff Peters, marketing director So, why not buy turbines from facturers are doing less well when it comes to maintaining their ma-
<br /> warranty this availability has fall- at Missouri River Energy Ser- a different manufagm .1. N. 1.0 N. acturer') Mimic- chines once they are put into service
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