41. 6/20/02 - Assembly Complete

Many tasks remain but the tower assembly is comleted. Final construction phases will proceed with the connection and testing of all electrical controls and distribution components.

42. 6/20/02 - Our First Assembled Tower

Looks like a done deal, but much remains before the unit becomes fully operational.

43. 6/20/02 - Turbine Control Panel

The turbine control panel is located inside of the base tower section. It is through here that the turbine is connected to the outside world via communication lines, electrical distribution lines, and radios.

44. 6/24/02 - Tower Three

Raising of tower three is nearing completion as the rotor and blade assembly is hoisted into position.

45. 6/24/02 - Three Up and One to Go

In the foreground tower number three is in final assembly. The first two towers constructed are in the background. Underground distribution cable has been buried to the first two towers and the transformer connections are being completed for the first tower on Tuesday. Construction of the fourth and final tower is scheduled for completion on Tuesday as well.

46. 6/25/02 - And Then There Were Four

Workmen completed raising the fourth tower on Tuesday. This completes the tower construction phase of the wind farm project. Construction of the remaining infrastructure such as setting of transformers and burying communication and distribution lines will continue. The crane will move to North Dakota.

47. 07/02/02 - A view from the top

This picture was taken by DeWayne Keegel Senior Resource Engineer at Missouri River Energy Services. DeWayne is courageously positioned (and tethered) on the rotor at the top of tower #3 nearly 240 feet above the ground. Pictured are towers 1, 2, and 4. The black strips between the tower sites mark where the crane travelled between the sites. The earth has been cultivated and reclaimed after being compacted by the huge machine.

48. 07/02/02 - Worthington, MN

A view of Worthington, MN as seen from the top of tower #3. Lake Okabena is located in upper right portion of the photo.

49. 07/02/02 - Towers 2 and 1.

Taken from the top of tower three. Construction and assembly of tower three is complete with tower 2 expected to be completed by Wednesday July 3. These two units are now capable of producing power but await final substation updating before being placed into service. The remaining units, 1 & 4, are scheduled for completion next week.

50. 07/02/02 - That's the Brakes!

Each blade is built with a rotating blade tip, which when activated rotates 80-90 degrees compared to the main blade. This slows the blade immediately. A "disc" brake located on the gearbox behind the rotor is used to bring the blades to a complete stop. The two braking systems work together for all forms of braking actions including normal, safety, emergency, and overspeed stops.

51. 07/02/02 - Anemometer:

An instrument for measuring and indicating the force, speed, and direction of the wind. Located atop each tower the instrument collects wind data that is used for optimum operation and control of the wind turbines. The instrument has an electric heating element to keep it ice-free during extreme cold conditions.

52. 07/29/02 - Directional Sensors

The middle sensor is the anemometer. The two outside sensors are directional guidance vanes. The guidance vanes are monitors that are used to determine wind direction and are used to electronically control rotation, or yaw, of the nacelle. Signals from these sensors are sent to motors located in the nacelle housing. The motors rotate the nacelle so it is always facing directly into the wind.

53. 07/29/02 - Operation Control Panel

This panel is the main control panel for control and monitoring of the wind turbines. Technicians can monitor operational functions through the displays including current climatic conditions, generator output, and a multitude of current conditions relating to the operation of the generators. Operation of the unit can be started and stopped by simply pushing a button.

54. 07/29/02 - Wiring Cabinet

Three-Hundred-Forty-Seven volts of power generated by the generators atop the tower is monitored here and passes through this cabinet to the transformer cabinet located outside the tower structure. At the transformer the voltage is stepped-up to 12,500 volts. Although the power is distributed via the Worthington and Alliant grids for use by joint MRES and WPPI consumers most of the power will probably be consumed by Worthington residents.

55. 07/29/02 - Final Commissioning Completed

Final testing of the units is exhaustive. Twelve pages of checks and tests are performed on each unit before the unit can be released for production. All four units completed the final testing and were officially commissioned on July 12, 2002.

An official dedication ceremony is set for August 13, 2002 at the wind farm site.