Residential Wind Power Study and Evaluation Project Description: This project includes the purchase, installation, testing, and operation of four commercially available wind-powered electric generation systems. The project also involves data collection and processing for the four systems in an effort to generate real-world long-term operational performance data and the development of training materials for the operation and maintenance of the target systems.

McNeilus Wind Farm Dodge Center, MN

Principle Investigator: Dr. Vincent Winstead Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Technology Minnesota State University, Mankato P: 507-389-5456 Email: vincent.winstead@mnsu.edu

Graduate and Undergraduate Assistants: Priti Sood (Grad)

Current Status (July 27, 2009): We have two turbines and associated towers installed. See the following pictures to get an idea of how it was accomplished. We will not have operating turbines until all associated conditioning electronics, wiring and battery systems are installed which will be soon.

Installation Pics 1

Turbine 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Turbine 2 1 2 3 4

Current Status (June 24, 2009): After a long wait we have the necessary approvals from the State of Minnesota for the wind turbine installations. A few weeks ago the wind turbine tower concrete footings were poured. Three of the four turbines will be installed in the next few weeks. The fourth turbine will be installed in 4-6 weeks due to a delay in shipping.

Footing Installation Pics

Before digging 1 2 3 4

Rebar 1

Anchor bolts 1

One foundation needed a backhoe 1

The others needed an auger 1

Holes dug with rebar installed 1 2 3 4 5

Pouring concrete 1

Placing anchor bolt assembly 1

All in 1 2

The largest footing 1 2 3

Current Status (July 7,2008): The funding agency (Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security) as of June 2008 has contracted Minnesota State University, Mankato to purchase, evaluate and maintain four small windmills over a two year period. These windmills will be commercially available and will be installed at a TBD location within or near the campus. The site preparation and windmill system purchasing will be conducted in the next few months. The system generators will be functionally tested prior to tower mounting. Further details will be available soon.

Interesting and Informative Links:

Minnesota Renewable Energy Society

Midwest Renewable Energy Association

Minnesota Department of Commerce Office of Energy Security