March 27, 2024 |
Photo – Wind turbine in Medicine Bow – Courtesy Medicine Bow Museum
The Medicine Bow council sets aside $4,000 to repair its in-town wind turbines.
The town has a long history with wind power. On September 4, 1982, the first two wind turbines in Wyoming were constructed in Medicine Bow by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the United States Department of Energy.
Today, Medicine Bow has nine electricity-producing wind turbines within its limits.
Speaking at the March 11th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Public Works Director Brian Lashley said three of the nine turbines are not functioning correctly. Lashley said a Cheyenne-based electrical contractor has agreed to inspect all the town’s wind turbines for $2,700.
Lashley said the electrical contractor will charge $95 to replace each bad motor brush found during his inspection. The new brushes are expected to last over a decade before needing to be serviced again.
Public Works Director Lashley said all together, the nine wind turbines can produce about 4,500 kilowatts of electricity a month. He said if the turbines are operating at 100% efficiency, the town would save $1,297 annually on its electricity bill.
Lashley said the wind turbine repair project will pay for itself in under three years.
While the contractor is inspecting the wind turbines, Lashley said he could also enable the existing wireless monitoring system. The public works director said the system will allow the town to recognize faults in the wind turbines and provide the electricity company with a clearer picture of how much power the turbines are producing.
Lashley said the piece of equipment needed to enable the monitoring system will cost an additional $230.
Town Clerk and Treasurer Karen Heath said she and former Public Works Director Charlie George obtained the wind turbines at no cost through the federal Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program. Clerk Health said the turbines produced free electricity for roughly 20 years.
Clerk Heath said the town won two awards for creative use of the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program money.
Public Works Director Lashley said during his inspection, the electrical contractor will determine if the towers need to be completely replaced. Lashley said a brand-new wind turbine could cost the town $23,000.
The council authorized $4,000 for the wind turbine inspection and repair project. The initial inspection will cost $2,700. Each turbine motor brush the contractor replaces will cost $95. Plus, an additional $230 for the wireless monitoring equipment.
Town Clerk Heath said the money can be pulled from the Rock Creek Wind Project impact assistance fund.
