May 28, 2016
Michigan

Turbine failure in Sebewaing Township

Posted by Andrew Dietderich on May 28, 2016 | Tuscola County Advertiser | www.tuscolatoday.com

Contractors for DTE Energy Co. dismantled a wind turbine in Sebewaing Township this week after a gearbox failure.

The GE brand turbine located near the intersection of Sebewaing and Gettel roads is one of 44 in Brookfield Wind Park, located in Brookfield, Fairhaven, Grant, Oliver, Sebewaing and Winsor townships.

DTE bought Brookfield, which was previously called Pheasant Run II, from NextEra Energy Resources L.L.C. in 2014.

Jennifer Wilt, lead communications specialist, DTE, told The Advertiser that the blades had to be removed as a result of a gear box failure. She said such failures “occur from bearings or metallurgical issues with the shaft.”

Wilt said that a fire wasn’t involved with the failure and that the black marks seen in the photos are actually grease.

The white trucks without markings are from GE and Erickson’s Trucking Services Inc. of Grand Rapids, Wilt said.

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“DTE Energy is conducting a controlled repair process, and has informed Huron County officials of the activity,” Wilt said.

Repair work on wind turbine that’s part of DTE’s Brookfield Wind Farm in Sebewaing Township (May 25, 2016) (Photos by John Cook)

Repair work on wind turbine that’s part of DTE’s Brookfield Wind Farm in Sebewaing Township (May 25, 2016) (Photos by John Cook)


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/05/28/turbine-failure-in-sebewaing-township/