The nacelle, which houses the mechanical and electric
components of the turbine, is among the parts on site
and ready for installation. Photo by Lisa Tossey
The University of Delaware’s 2-megawatt wind turbine is being installed and you can watch live on your computer!
Site preparation began in March and the foundation was poured in early April. Now, those parts most commonly associated with wind turbines — tower, nacelle (which houses the mechanical and electrical components of the turbine), and blades — are on site, ready to be installed this week.
Viewers can watch the process unfold via the College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment (CEOE) web cam positioned at UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes. The web cam will stay pointed at the site at least until the blades are installed.
When completed, the 320-ton turbine will stand 400 feet high from its tower base to the apex of its blade at peak rotation.
The effort is spearheaded by UD and Gamesa Technology Corporation Inc., with the City of Lewes and Sustainable Energy Developments Inc. as key partners. In addition to providing carbon-free electricity generation, the project will enhance research in areas such as turbine corrosion, avian impacts, and policy issues related to renewable energy. Information gained from the project is expected to help the university and Gamesa establish the first offshore wind turbine in the Americas in 2011 or 2012.
Construction photos and other information about the project can be found at the Lewes turbine web site.
For more about UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, visit www.ceoe.udel.edu.