Wind turbines gently turning, Illinois, Illinois,

 

Wind turbines gently turning, 

Illinois, Illinois, 

Giants in the prairie, 

learning How the future freely flows.

Blades that slice the summer air, 

Illinois, Illinois, 

Whispering a hopeful prayer 

For the power it employs.

Wind Turbines east of Bloomington, Illinois at the Twin Groves Site.

AI Overview


Wind turbines in Illinois vary in size and capacity. Large utility-scale turbines can have a capacity of 2-3 MW, with a tower height of around 80 meters (260 ft) and a rotor diameter of about 80 meters. Some wind farms, like Twin Groves, have turbines with 240 operating turbines that stand 280 ft (80 m) tall with 120-foot (39 m) blades. Smaller, community-scale turbines can be as low as 0.66 MW.

Examples of Turbine Sizes in Illinois:

Twin Groves Wind Farm:
240 turbines, each 280 feet (80 m) tall with 120-foot (39 m) blades.

Mendota Hills Wind Farm:

Originally 63 turbines at 214 feet (65 m) tall with 171-foot (52 m) rotors; later reduced to 29 turbines with increased capacity.

Small Turbines:
Examples include a 0.66 MW turbine at Bureau Valley School District and a 2.5 MW turbine at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.

Large turbines:
A 1.5 MW wind turbine typically has a tower 80 meters (260 ft) high and a rotor with a 80 meter (260 ft) diameter.

Factors Influencing Turbine Size:

Hub Height:
The height of the turbine's tower affects wind resource assessment.

Capacity Factor:
Higher capacity factors (the percentage of time a turbine is producing at its maximum output) can lead to more efficient energy production.

Land Availability:
The amount of land available for a wind farm can influence the number and size of turbines used, according to Arcadia.

Cost:
Larger turbines can produce cheaper electricity due to economies of scale, but also have higher individual costs.

Note: Turbine sizes and configurations vary depending on the specific wind farm and its location.