MGE installed a vertical axis wind machine in late fall 2008 in Fitchburg's McKee Park to study whether this technology holds promise for electricity generation in our urban area. A new technology for Wisconsin, this urban wind turbine technology has seen more than 25 years of operation in Europe and other continents.
The 3 feet wide by 12 feet tall, 10-kW urbine turbine is installed atop a 30-foot pole. The unit starts producing energy at a wind speed of 4 mph and makes full power at 35 mph.
Turbine features:
- Quiet operation
- Vanes do not gather snow or ice while rotating
- Wildlife see it; are less likely to fly into it
- Manufactured in Finland by Oy Windside Production Ltd.
- Costs about $40,000
Over the next several years, MGE will monitor the urban turbine's wind production.
See current and historical data at: "live data reporting."
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