Halfway Through Bison I Wind Project, Minnesota Power Upgrades Technology by Switching to Direct-Drive Turbines
December 08 2010 - 11:35AM
Business Wire
As the first half of its Bison I Wind Project in North Dakota
nears completion, Minnesota Power is shifting into 2011’s second
phase by upgrading to even more efficient, new direct drive
turbines that will deliver more wind energy to Minnesota Power
customers.
For the second phase of its first wind energy project in North
Dakota, the Duluth-based division of ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE: ALE) will
install 15 new 3-Megawatt (MW) turbines manufactured by Siemens
instead of the 17 turbines of 2.3 Megawatts originally planned. The
new turbine arrangement is expected to generate an additional
10,000 Megawatt hours of annual energy.
The new SWT-3.0-101 direct drive wind turbines were described as
“game-changing” by the CEO of Siemens’ wind power business unit in
a news release announcing Minnesota Power’s order for the new
equipment. Siemens’ direct drive wind turbine features a permanent
magnet generator but no gearbox. With the number of parts in the
turbine reduced by half, the direct drive technology has the
potential to reduce maintenance time, resulting in higher turbine
availability.
“We’re very excited to apply this leading-edge technology in
North Dakota, where the renewable energy potential of wind is
unmatched,” said Eric Norberg, Minnesota Power Senior Vice
President of Strategy and Planning. “Our customers will benefit
from the additional energy production and the likelihood of
improved efficiency for many years.” The project is part of the
Company’s overall effort to meet Minnesota’s renewable energy
mandate to deliver 25 percent of its energy from renewable
sources.
Minnesota Power, Siemens and other contractors have been working
since the spring of this year on the first phase of Bison I,
located in west-central North Dakota near the town of New Salem.
Major components began arriving on the worksite in September, and
the last of the phase one turbine structures was erected in
mid-October. All 16 turbines in Bison I’s first phase are now
operational. Renewable energy generated at the Bison Project will
be delivered to Minnesota Power’s customers in northeastern
Minnesota, over a 465-mile direct current transmission line it
purchased on Dec. 31, 2009.
“Bison positions us at the forefront of renewable energy
production as our nation transforms its energy landscape,” said
ALLETE President and CEO Alan R. Hodnik. “Embracing new technology
is part of that evolution and reflects our commitment to providing
greater value to our customers and shareholders.”
Minnesota Power provides retail electric service within a
26,000-square-mile area in northeastern Minnesota to 144,000
customers and wholesale electric service to 16 municipalities. More
information can be found at www.mnpower.com.
The statements contained in this release and statements that
ALLETE may make orally in connection with this release that are not
historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Actual results
may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties and investors are directed to the risks discussed in
documents filed by ALLETE with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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