World File Photo by Susan Chambers
Ric Morrisonn, center right, talks to two visitors about the prototype wind turbine, spinning in the foreground in December. He and Mary Geddry are building the small wind turbines in the hopes of selling them to local individuals and businesses for use in Oregon’s strong, gusty winds.
COOS BAY — Local entrepreneurs have pushed back until March the unveiling of a wind turbine prototype that they hope can operate in adverse weather conditions.
Rogue River Wind and Yaiyu Turbine Technologies have collaborated on a new kind of turbine that can be mounted on roof tops and work in gusty winds.
Their hope is to see the wind turbine installed on buildings up and down the coast, generating power locally instead of relying on distant utility companies for energy. By doing so, it will reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and create jobs for the area.
The last piece of the puzzle is a rotor that encircles the blades.
Ironically, part of the reason for the delays is due to the weather.
Mary Geddry, owner of Rogue River Wind, said that component is being crafted in Blaine, Wash., which got hit with some nasty weather in late December and early January.
“Part of their crew couldn’t get there for a while,” she said.
The other problem surfaced when they put an insulated adhesive on generators built into the turbine.
“It would make the coils overheat and reduced efficiency,” Geddry said.
They decided to go with ceramic coating instead, but first they had to remove the adhesive and test the conductivity of the stators. They passed the test and the only thing left is waiting for the arrival of the rotor, which is expected any day.
Once it is in, it will only be a matter of putting the pieces together. When it is assembled, possibly within the next two weeks, the team will test electrical components of the turbine before setting it up outside.
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I think that this is a great opportunity for the whole southcoast and cant hardly wait to see this in action.To bad that they have to rely on buisness outside the state to manufacture the components that they need.Wouldnt it be nice to have their needs met locally.
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