Wind turbines on public display

Kiosk at the base of the Lamma Winds Nordex N50/800kW wind turbine on Lamma Island with displays showing current power output and cumulative energy produced.
The Hancock County wind energy center in Iowa

The great majority of wind turbines around the world belong to individuals or corporations who use them to generate electric power or to perform mechanical work. As such, wind turbines are primarily designed to be working devices. However, the large size and height above surroundings of modern industrial wind turbines, combined with their moving rotors, often makes them among the most conspicuous objects in their areas. A few localities have exploited the attention-getting nature of wind turbines by placing them on public display, either with visitor centers on their bases, or with viewing areas farther away.[1] The wind turbines themselves are generally of conventional horizontal-axis, three-bladed design, and generate power to feed electrical grids, but they also serve the unconventional roles of technology demonstration, public relations, and education.

Notable wind turbines on public display

Wind turbines on public display
Wattle Point Wind Farm's information centre 
Vestas V29 wind turbine at Beaufort Court, Kings Langley, UK 
Scroby Sands wind farm off the coast of Great Yarmouth, UK 
The NEG Micon M700 wind turbine at the Great River Energy headquarters in Maple Grove, Minnesota 
The Nordex N50 wind turbine and visitor centre of Lamma Winds in Hong Kong. 
WindShare 750 kW, direct drive, Lagerwey Wind model LW 52 wind turbine in Toronto, Ontario. 
Visitor Centre at Scroby Sands wind farm 

Observation deck

Some wind turbines on public display go one further, with observation decks beneath their nacelles. The observation decks are accessed with stairs inside the tower.

Wind turbines with observation decks
Enercon E-66 at Swaffham's Ecotech centre, showing observation deck below nacelle 
Closeup of the Enercon E-66 at Swaffham 
Wind turbine with observation deck at Siemens plant in Zoetermeer 
Wind turbine with observation deck on Kronsberg hill near Hannover, Germany 

References

  1. Young, Kathryn (2007-08-03). "Canada wind farms blow away turbine tourists". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved 2008-09-06.
  2. Zhou, Renjie; Yadan Wang (2007-08-14). "Residents of Inner Mongolia Find New Hope in the Desert". Worldwatch Institute. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
  3. Bolsher, Terry (November 2005). "Green energy". BNET. Retrieved 2008-11-12.
  4. "Power from the wind" (PDF). Renewable Energy Systems. Retrieved 2008-11-16.
  5. "Wind farm is in the frame". Bury Times. 2008-11-28. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
  6. http://www.pse.com/wildhorse
  7. "Boston's First Wind Turbine Serves as Example". RenewableEnergyAccess.com. 2005-05-18. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  8. "Wind Turbine Project Q & A". Great Lakes Science Center. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  9. "Great River's new headquarters 'LEEDs' by example". Reliable Energy Solutions. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  10. Levy, Paul (2007-11-27). "An energy model for all to see". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
  11. Broehl, Jesse (2005-07-22). "Wal-Mart Deploys Solar, Wind, Sustainable Design". Renewable Energy World. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
  12. "DeWind Plans Wind Turbine Demo Site in Sweetwater, Texas". BNET Business Network. 2007-09-06. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  13. Block, Ben (2008-07-24). "In Windy West Texas, An Economic Boom". Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  14. "Wind Energy Power Plants in Canada - other provinces". 2010-06-05. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
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