1. The MRES RiverWinds WindKit

The WindKit was developed specifically for the RiverWinds program and contains materials designed to provide a turnkey green energy marketing solution.

2. This is our goal....

Following is how we'll get there.

3. Future site of the Worthington Wind Farm.

The site as viewed looking W/NW from the SE corner of the property.

4. Future Site of the Worthington Wind Farm

The site as viewed looking SW from the NE corner of the property.

5. Worthington, MN Wind Farm site survey

Picture taken from Northeast corner of property. Flags on the left of the image mark the center of future access road that will link the turbine sites. The first construction phase will include four NEG Micon 900 kW wind turbines.

6. 04/30/02 - Groundbreaking and Construction Kickoff of Joint Wind Farm project between WPU, MRES, and WPPI at the site near Worthington, MN

From Left:

Jeff Peters, Missouri River Energy Services; Curtis Johnson P.E., CSJohnson & Associates, PC; Don Habicht, Worthington Public Utilities; Scott Hain, Worthington Public Utilities; Thomas Wind, P.E. - Wind Utility Consulting; Jake Oelke, Wisconsin Public Power, Inc.

7. Wind Farm Ground-breaking.

From the left: Scott Hain, WPU, Jeff Peters, MRES, and Jake Oelke, WPPI

The radio transmitting tower in the background presented only one of many issues to be dealt with before permits were granted for construction of the wind turbines.

8. 05/16/02 - After the i's are dotted and t's are crossed.....

Construction begins... An Excavator, a soil compactor, other miscellaneous heavy construction equipment, and turbine foundation casings are moved on site.

9. Good roads are the first essential.

1. Top soil is removed down to the clay subsoil.

2. A separation fabric is installed. The fabric prevents aggregate from sinking into the clay and the roadway becoming muddy when equipment is transported over it.

3. Two 6" layers of aggregate placed on top of the fabric completes the road base.

10. Finishing the road base.

Each of the two 6" layers of aggregate is thoroughly compacted.

11. Foundation Excavator

The Excavator is used to dig the 30' X 30' holes that will accomodate the foundation casings required by each wind turbine. Each foundation must support a wind turbine structure weighing approx. 42 tons and reaching to a height of nearly 323 feet. Initially a total of four sites will be excavated.

12. Turbine foundation casings

Two casings will be lowered into the 30' X 30' hole. The large casing, approx. 16 feet in diameter, will be lowered into the ground with the smaller casing, approx. 12 feet in diameter, placed inside the larger casing.

13. Foundation Construction Drawing

Cut-away drawing of foundation construction elements. The drawing illustrates the in-ground installation of the casings for the foundation.

14. 05/20/02 - Installing the first foundation casing.

The first hole is completed and the first of two casings is lowered into the ground.

15. A view from the top.

The first casing is in place.

16. Foundation bolts

Bolts are packaged in lots of 20. Each bolt weighs over 260 # and is encased in a plastic sleeve to protect the metal. (See the Foundation Construction drawing, No. 13, for more details.)

17. Ring attachment.

Two rings in each base, one each at top and bottom of foundation excavation. The foundation bolts will connect the top and bottom rings.

18. 06/07/02 - Assembled Upper Ring with Bolts

The upper ring assembly with connecting bolts is lowered into position inside the foundation casing. Note the concrete barriers in the foreground - workers wear safety harnesses and attach lifelines to these barriers when working near the foundation excavation.

19. Arrival of rotor blades and other components

Number of blades/tower - 3; Length of one blade - 83.66'; Weight of one blade - 4.2 tons

The blades are constructed of fibreglass reinforced polyester with a fibreglass supporting spar. Each blade contains a lightning protection system.

20. Rotor Hub Assembly

Three rotor blades will be attached to the hub. The hub is cast in iron and mounted directly on the rotor shaft. A hatch in the hub spinner and an opening in front of the hub provides access for inside inspection and re-tightening of the blade bolts.