MATTOON – Neither rain, nor sleet or slushy mud discouraged
workers from placing a seven-ton wind turbine on a high tower
Wednesday afternoon at Lake Land College.
But the foul weather did make the day frustrating for Bora Wind
Energy Inc. of Itasca employees. At times, precipitation slowed the
process to a crawl and a very chilling experience.
“We’ve had three scheduled dates held up on this,” said Ray Rieck,
vice president of business services at Lake Land College. “But
these crane operators are amazing. Their accuracy on placing a load
is within a quarter of an inch.”
The need for accuracy was essential for aligning the 100-kilowatt
turbine, about the size of a compact car, with a 36-bolt array for
securing the equipment with the 10-inch long bolts. Workers climbed
through the interior of the tower to bolt down the turbine hanging
from a harness lifted by the crane.
This was the second attempt at attaching the turbine to the tower
mounting. Difficulties with the angle of approach on the turbine
caused the workers to lower it once before another try proved
successful later Wednesday.
“They had it up there once but the angle was not right. If there
had been no rain today it sure would have helped out the process.
But we could have six inches of snow and high winds today,” Rieck
said.
This is one of two 100-kilowatt wind turbines going up this year at
the community college. When operable, the first turbine will
generate electricity to energize the West Building, which stands
near all the turbines, including two smaller units erected
previously.
“At times, we will have more electricity than the West Building can
use. But this will be seasonal more than anything else. It will be
when there is no use of heating or air conditioning but it will
still give us a savings on energy,” said Rieck, of the energy
project funded by a mix of federal funding, including a
community-based job training grant.
Rieck said the hub and long blades will be added when the weather
breaks. Still, raising the turbine was a victory over the elements
Wednesday.
This work is nearing completion on the campus prepares for the
March 7 annual energy innovation conference highlighting how the
college has integrated geothermal technology, solar energy and
innovative energy conservation methods in recent years.
Contact Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.