In Minnesota, the wind is blowing but turbines aren’t turning. The machines, bought used from California and installed last fall, are completely frozen in place. Even on the windiest days, the blades sit at a standstill, producing no power. Why should anyone care? The problem highlights some of the less intuitive challenges associated with wind power — long considered to be the most feasible and cost effective source of renewable energy.
The likely culprit in Minnesota: frozen hydraulic fluid, unfit for the state’s brutally cold winters. As the temperature continues to drop, these fluids have started to thicken, turning into jelly. This is a big problem, considering how much the Midwest has spent on trying to become the U.S.’s wind power corridor. Wind power is already intermittent — the wind isn’t blowing at gale speeds all the time. But being knocked out of commission for an entire season? That could be a deal breaker.
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H/t reader kevin a:
“The helicopter beam is the new weapon against the ice
How is this little helicopter going to unfreeze thousands of wind turbines?
Minnesota’s frozen turbines raise new doubts about wind power”
– Helikopter-strålen är nya vapnet mot isen:
En het vattenstråle smälter snabbt bort is från rotorblad. Den nya metoden är en av flera innovationer som ska säkra elproduktionen i vintriga vindkraftsparker.
Nedisade rotorblad är ett gissel för vindkraftsägare i kallt klimat. Alpine Helicopter i Boden har utvecklat ett nytt sätt att snabbt få i gång produktionen när isen tvingar snurror att stanna: en helikopter som sprutar varmvatten.
– Det tar oss ungefär 1,5 timme att behandla ett kraftigt nedisat vindkraftverk, säger vd Mats Widgren.
Read moreMinnesota’s frozen turbines raise new doubts about wind power
