DARLINGTON — They have become such fixtures of the Wisconsin countryside that, speeding by them on the highway, one hardly notices anymore the gargantuan wind turbines lazily turning in the breeze.
Jeremy Wolfe, a plant lead with EDP Renewables, near the base of one the energy provider’s wind turbines. It's about 300 feet to the top of the tower, which technicians can manage in about five minutes.
Wolfe positions himself behind a 30,000-pound generator in the nacelle, or top housing of the turbine. The generator can produce up to 2-megawatts of power per day under the right conditions.
The height no longer bothers him, Wolfe said of working atop wind turbines, although it can get a little "nerve wracking" if he has to reach over the edge.
Tanner Woods, a plant lead technician with EDP Renewables, stands tethered atop one of the company's wind turbines near Darlington. Turbines need periodic maintenance, most of which is conducted inside the towers. But occasionally, technicians need to venture out onto the roofs of the 300-foot structures.
An Amish farmer works his land near one of EDP's wind turbines. “Wind farms provide an opportunity to move back to or stay in your small rural community instead of moving to a city for career opportunities,” Regional Operations Manager Chris Mugge said.
The 118-megawatt project would be about an hour west of Madison.
Tanner Woods, a plant lead technician with EDP Renewables, stands tethered atop one of the company's wind turbines near Darlington. Turbines need periodic maintenance, most of which is conducted inside the towers. But occasionally, technicians need to venture out onto the roofs of the 300-foot structures.
Jeremy Wolfe, a plant lead with EDP Renewables, near the base of one the energy provider’s wind turbines. It's about 300 feet to the top of the tower, which technicians can manage in about five minutes.
Wolfe positions himself behind a 30,000-pound generator in the nacelle, or top housing of the turbine. The generator can produce up to 2-megawatts of power per day under the right conditions.
The height no longer bothers him, Wolfe said of working atop wind turbines, although it can get a little "nerve wracking" if he has to reach over the edge.
An Amish farmer works his land near one of EDP's wind turbines. “Wind farms provide an opportunity to move back to or stay in your small rural community instead of moving to a city for career opportunities,” Regional Operations Manager Chris Mugge said.
