Wind Power News: Iowa
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Swanson: Counting the cost of the Green New Deal
As the US considers an infrastructure bill, we need to ask ourselves how much is the New Green Deal really going to cost. Let us start with looking at the cost of industrial wind. We are told turbines are cheap. I am seriously reconsidering the information that the media has “reported” in recent years. In Iowa we have cashed in $20 Billion federal dollars to build about 5000 wind turbines. Warren Buffett’s MidAmerican Energy CEOs have admitted publicly that 100% . . . Complete story »
Worth County passes commercial wind moratorium
The Worth County Board of Supervisors passed a “temporary moratorium” on commercial wind projects in the county on Monday, though it’s unclear what effect it will have on an ongoing project. Invenergy, doing business in the county as Worthwhile Wind and Solar Farm, is in the midst of obtaining easements in Worth and Winnebago counties for a 30,000-acre wind farm. The number of turbines for the project has not yet been determined. Last week the board tabled the proposed temporary . . . Complete story »
Worth County tables wind turbine moratorium
A discussion that was supposed to determine whether the Worth County Board of Supervisors should approve a moratorium on commercial wind projects instead pivoted to a more complicated topic – county-wide zoning. And that discussion resulted in the board tabling its temporary moratorium on commercial wind farms. Developer Invenergy, doing business in the area as Worthwhile Wind and Solar Farm, seeks to construct a 30,000-acre wind farm in Worth and Winnebago counties and has been working with landowners in both counties . . . Complete story »
Worth County to possibly temporarily halt wind energy construction
The Worth County Board of Supervisors will meet on Monday with a discussion on the current state of secondary roads. Richard Brumm, the Worth County Engineer will cover what work has already been done regarding grading, pot hole patching, and possible resurfacing of the roads. He will also cover any future projects this spring. Julie Kuntz and Eliot Evans will hold a discussion with the board beginning at 8:45am regarding a possible moratorium on wind energy construction. Concerns have been . . . Complete story »
Forest City School District plans to rebuild wind turbine, add solar array
On March 8, the Forest City School Board heard details of plans to almost completely rebuild the district’s aging wind generation turbine. Dan Millard, school maintenance staff who works on and maintains the turbine, said it needs a new gearbox and generator. He noted that within the last year, some play has developed in the gearbox, which causes a need for periodic readjustments for sensors to work properly. He said the gear box is a replacement from two years after . . . Complete story »
County sets budget hearing; extends wind farm ban with plan to review it, examine solar
ALGONA—Kossuth County supervisors Tuesday morning approved a maximum increase of 1.99 percent for the total amount of general and rural property taxes collected in the next fiscal year. The supervisors extended the current moratorium on the construction or operation of commercial wind energy conversion systems under the county ordinance number 310A to June 1, and they plan to do a further review that will include addressing the potential for solar farms in the county. For more on these and other . . . Complete story »
Wind ordinance discussions creates turbulence
The Washington County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, unanimously agreed to postpone a vote on the first reading of a new wind energy ordinance. The decision came when it became apparent that a vote would result in a 2-2 split. Newly elected District 3 Supervisor Marcus Fedler will not be sworn in until next week. The ordinance being considered pertained to the valuation of the land and equipment on wind farms built in the county. The proposed taxation schedule, which is . . . Complete story »
Iowa State study quantifies how much ice buildup affects wind turbines
It’s known that ice accumulation on wind turbine blades can cause problems, but a new study from an Iowa State University professor and his research team shows just how much ice can grow on a blade, and how much that can reduce the performance of a turbine. Some politicians, pundits and internet users overstated the extent to which frozen wind turbines contributed to the recent catastrophic power grid failure in Texas. Ice on blades was, however, one more problem among . . . Complete story »
Field study shows icing can cost wind turbines up to 80% of power production
AMES, Iowa – Wind turbine blades spinning through cold, wet conditions can collect ice nearly a foot thick on the yard-wide tips of their blades. That disrupts blade aerodynamics. That disrupts the balance of the entire turbine. And that can disrupt energy production by up to 80 percent, according to a recently published field study led by Hui Hu, Iowa State University’s Martin C. Jischke Professor in Aerospace Engineering and director of the university’s Aircraft Icing Physics and Anti-/De-icing Technology . . . Complete story »
Winnebago County Supervisors study wind project prior to permit application
After receiving a petition from residents in Norway Township near Lake Mills last month, Winnebago County Supervisors are investigating all sides of siting and other issues for Invenergy’s coming Worthwhile Wind project. On Feb. 23, supervisors heard first from Winnebago County Zoning Administrator Matt Duve about the wind turbine permitting process and this particular project. Next, they discussed the wind project slated for Worth and Winnebago counties with Invenergy Renewable Energy Development Manager Mark Crowl, who is project lead developer. . . . Complete story »
