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The Aardsma Weekly
March 9, 2008
Writer: Rachel Aardsma
Wind Turbines
Last Sunday, March 2, we made an excursion to view a marvel of technology near here. We set out around 2:00 Sunday afternoon, and arrived at our destination thirty minutes later. It took us a few extra minutes to find our way there, since we weren't exactly sure where it was; but we did end up finding it. Actually, it's kind of hard not to find a bunch of 235-foot tall structures, standing in the middle of barren, muddy fields.
We went to see a recently built wind farm in McLean Country, a thirty to thirty-five minute drive from our place. Several times, while driving to a nearby town, a few of us had spotted strange structures a couple miles away. We finally figured out that they were wind turbines: giant 'wind mills' used to harness the power of the wind. We quickly decided that a visit to these modern marvels was in order! Beka, Dad, and Timmy were especially enthusiastic about the idea, and we watched for a nice Sunday when the whole family would be available.
Although last Sunday wasn't very windy, and was a little cold, nothing could stop us! Everybody grabbed what they needed to survive (coats and shoes). I took along that crucial part of me: my camera and four extra batteries to keep it in good working order! Buddy could not be left behind, so he joined us in loading the van and enjoyed getting crammed into the car with the rest of us! Before long, we were on our way, all very excited about the prospect. The excitement dimmed rapidly, however, as those unfortunate enough to be in the back seat, like myself, endured carsickness.
A wind turbine in the distance. (The blades were turning, but the camera freezes action.) Photo by Mom.
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We drove merrily along, not quite sure where the wind turbines were, but trusting that as long as we could see them, we could find them! I was busy with my camera, trying to get the flash to cooperate, and took a few nice pictures as I experimented with it. I felt that as long as the camera was out, I might as well take some pictures of the scenery. Those kind of pictures, however, remained few and far between, as I was sitting in the middle of the bench seat, and Timmy and Caleb disliked being shoved out of the way so I could get a clear shot out the windows.
After twenty minutes of driving, we began to search the horizon for the odd-looking contraptions. After several false alarms (tell me, how is it possible to mistake a row of telephone poles for wind turbines?), we at last spotted a few of the turbines. In ten minutes, we were in the middle of no-where, and heading towards the wind farm.
What had appeared at a distance to be a few, small turbines quickly proved to be huge turbines stretching as far as the eye could see in one direction! We drove as close as we could to the turbine nearest us, and gazed in awe at the giant blades going around. Questions started appearing as we all wanted to know more.
Timmy and Caleb stare at the blades from the base of one of the turbines. Photo by Mom.
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The turbines appeared to be randomly placed in empty fields. There was a large distance between the turbines, which had, at a distance, appeared close together and in a straight line. We decided to walk in close to one of the turbines to get a good look.
We pulled up in a huge driveway, which had probably been used by the construction crews, and began our walk towards the nearest turbine. It quickly became evident why this particular spot had been chosen for a wind farm! What had been a gentle breeze at our house was here a fast, strong wind. We listened in delight to the whoosh the blades made as they turned.
The closer we got to the turbine, the more evident it became that this was no dinky windmill! The thing was immense! Beka, Timmy, and Caleb ran as fast as they could to get right underneath. Matthew and Dad followed a little more slowly. Mom and I lingered with our cameras to take some pictures.
At last we were nearly underneath the giant machine. It truly was massive. We had thought the blades were turning slowly, but they were really clipping along! The whoosh which had seemed quiet, now blocked out most conversation. We stood and gazed up at the gigantic blades going around.
Beka left our group and headed around to the other side of the wind turbine. Urgently, she called us to come over. We did, and were well rewarded for wading through the early spring muck and water. I was overcome with awe as we stood directly underneath the blades and stared up at them, watching them rotate. It was incredible to watch.
But soon we knew it was time to head back to the car. The mud everywhere was getting in shoes, on clothes, and (poor Mom!) all over the feet of an unfortunate who was wearing sandals! We headed back to the car, stopping often to look around us at the many other turbines.
All during the drive home, unanswered questions flowed. How big were the turbines? How much energy did they produce? How much did it cost to build one? How strong did the wind have to be to make the blades turn?
Another turbine against the sky. Photo by me.
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After extensive research all over the Internet, and reading an article which handily came out in our local paper two days after our visit to the wind farm, I have found most of the answers to our questions. My now wind-fanatic family has urged me to write up this article about our visit and wind turbines in general, and answer our questions and more.
The big question in our mind after the trip to the wind farm was just how much did these incredible things cost? We estimated about $1 million, but I was shocked to find it actually took $2 million to build just one of the wind turbines. It is mind-boggling at how much it must cost to put up a farm with even 20 of the turbines.
The turbines are constructed on sight from pieces that are brought in mainly by trains. We have seen a train go by our house bearing a few of the blades. Mom and I once saw a semi-truck carrying two of the same.
You can't imagine how big the turbines really are until you get right underneath them. If figures will help you to fathom the size, the turbines are 235-feet tall and sport blades 130-feet long. The sizes of the wind turbines varies from farm to farm, but the ones we saw are this size.
Three of the turbines spin their blades in farewell. Photo by me.
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I never found out for sure exactly how many turbines there were on the farm we visited. We thought there might be anywhere from fifty to a hundred, but we remain unsure. It sure looked like a lot! As we drove home, we spotted more stretching away behind a hill that we had not seen before.
One turbine generates 1.65 megawatts of energy, which is enough to power 500 homes.
It takes only a five-mph wind to get the turbines started generating energy. It produces energy at full power with twenty- to twenty-five-mph wind. We wondered what happened with the turbines in very strong winds, and I learned that the turbines shut themselves down at winds around sixty-mph.
The U.S. currently ranks second in the world for the most installed wind turbines, falling in line behind Germany. There are turbines now installed in 34 states in the U.S., which leaves only 16 states to join the parade!
That is all I have learned so far, but I expect more research will be done on the subject, since we're raising a couple wind-scientists (if there is such a thing) over here. Timmy is already engrossed in birds and airplanes, so I guess wind turbines should have been nothing unexpected.
The Weekly Bible Verse
Proverbs 16:28: A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Bits and Pieces
What a busy week! What with company, doctor's visits, shopping, hours of schoolwork, and crazy weather, we haven't had a calm moment all week!
Dad went to the hospital this Monday to get a CAT scan done. (Have you any idea how many lame (and I mean really lame) jokes can be made out of two simple words like 'CAT scan'? The whole week before the CAT scan, I heard jokes about PET scans, the nation being prejudiced against dogs and needing to come up with a DOG scan for all the dog lovers, etc. etc.!) One of the many specialized doctors that Dad has been seeing (this one's field begins with a G; something to do with 'gastro') decided Dad needed to have the CAT scan done to see if Dad has any tumors or anything, which are causing Dad's digestion problems. As of yet, we have not gotten the results back from the CAT scan, but we are hoping nothing major is wrong and that Dad will not require surgery or anything like that. I'm hoping no more scans will be necessary of any type. One can only stand so much weak humor before one goes crazy.
We are heading quickly for spring. Mom and Dad have spent a few hours working in our small greenhouse, and Mom has started a few trays of petunias in the house. Caleb has gotten into the spirit of things and planted a sprouting apple seed he found.
A pretty hand-made hair clip made of leather and vintage buttons. Photo by Mom.
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Mom has begun a few new moneymaking ventures, including crocheting chair pads, rugs, and doilies to sell. She has also begun making unique hair clips from old buttons. I love these hair clips (I'm wearing one now), which are unlike anything I've ever seen or worn before! Each one is completely unique and one-of-a-kind. I especially like them because Mom has color-coordinated a few for several different outfits I have. My favorite is a blue-and-white one, which was one of the first she made.
Mom uses quality clip backs that are made in France, and glues on the buttons by hand. She has made tons so far, with every color combination imaginable! I find the clips very comfortable, and they fit just right in my hair. If you would like to see more of Mom's clips and other purchasable items, click here: Helen's Etsy Store.
One of the more unique hair clips Mom has made, using a decorative belt clip! Photo by Mom.
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A Word About The Weather
More rain and melting snow keep the ground wet, when it isn't frozen! It has stopped being nice and turned back to winter. Everything is cold!
An Easter Joke
Q:How do you catch a rabbit?
A:Hide in the bushes and make a noise like a carrot.
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