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Bergey Windpower Case Study Duncan Mountain, Idaho |
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Microwave Repeater Site |
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Gem States Utilities operates a microwave repeater site at Duncan Mountain,
Idaho which has been powered by a Bergey 7.5 kW turbine and a small solar array
since November, 1984. The renewable energy system was originally installed
by OnSite Energy, a subsidiary of Pacific Power & Light (PP&L). At
that time PP&L was interested in testing different brands of equipment, so
in addition to the 7.5 kW Bergey unit they also installed a 3 kW turbine from
Northern Power Systems and a 20 kW turbine from Jacobs Wind
Electric.
The Bergey system included the optional black Extra-Stiff blades and the turbine was installed on an 80 ft tubular Tilt-up tower (Note: This tower now uses lattice type sections, rather than the original tubular sections). Those blades can be seen on the BWC Excel-R in the photo above. The other turbines can also be seen in this 1984 photo. The Extra-Stiff blades were specifically developed for high-turbulence sites, which are common on telecommunications projects. Black blades delay ice build-up and promote rapid ice shedding, reducing down-time during ice storms. The other two brands of wind turbines had problems of various sorts and both were removed from the site within a few years. The Bergey turbine, on the other hand, was 100% available over the first 10 years with only bi-annual inspections. After more than 20 years, the Bergey Excel is still providing virtually all of the power required at Duncan Mountain. |
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