Willmar wind turbines will be stopped periodically for repairs

WILLMAR - Technicians with Willmar Municipal Utilities are in the process of completing recommended repairs to the utilities’ two wind turbines this week, said Jeron Smith, utilities staff electrical engineer.
Smith said Tuesday that technicians from turbine supplier DeWind Co. completed annual maintenance and cleaning of the wind turbines on Oct. 10. Smith said DeWind’s service report recommended additional repairs, and Willmar Utilities’ technicians are completing those repairs.
During this period, one or both turbines will be stopped periodically, Smith said.
New maintenance contracts with DeWind went into effect Oct. 1 and improvements have been seen in the areas of personnel responsible for maintenance, cleaning and monitoring of the turbines, according to Jon Folkedahl, power production supervisor for the Willmar Utilities.
In a report Oct. 14 to the Municipal Utilities Commission, Folkedahl said major areas of improvement include monitoring and technical support 24/7 with alarm reports and notifications on a daily basis, and software upgrades and support.
Other improvements are in the areas of listing of turbine spare parts and supplies, and on-site technical support and continued training of Willmar Utilities personnel, according to Folkedahl.