April 24, 2013
Massachusetts

Hanover tests wind turbine, sees mixed results

By Mark Burridge | Wicked Local Hanover | Posted Apr 24, 2013 | www.wickedlocal.comBy Mark Burridge | Wicked Local Hanover | Posted Apr 24, 2013 | www.wickedlocal.com

The Hanover wind turbine ran successfully for about two hours this past Friday.

Hanover Building Inspector Tony Marino sat in with the Hanover selectmen Monday night and presented the weekly town manager’s report because Town Manager Troy Clarkson had taken a vacation day. Marino informed selectmen that the turbine ran.

On Tuesday, Hanover DPW Director Victor Diniak said the turbine’s Friday activity prompted town officials to develop a new approach to completing the project.

“Troy [Clarkson] and I met with the bonding company and the town attorney,” he said. “We came up with a plan of attack to close the project out.”

Diniak said that, as of right now, the turbine can operate but, after it spins for a few hours, the hydraulic oil gets a little too warm. On Friday, the test run was stopped due to the oil’s heat.

“We’re trying to get the manufacturer [in India] to send a person to do a final review of what the contractor has done so far,” Diniak said.

Up until now, Diniak said, the turbine has had issues with a part on the tip of the blade called a “tip break.” The tip break causes drag to slow the turbine down in case of a problem. However, Diniak said that problem has been resolved.

Now, he said, the oil’s overheating is the main focus.

“We’ll resolve the oil issue and then we’ll see if another issue pops up,” he said.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/24/hanover-tests-wind-turbine-sees-mixed-results/