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Forum Index : Windmills : Check this Out Urban 108 KW

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JimBo911

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Joined: 26/03/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 262

Posted: 08:47pm 06 Dec 2009

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I thought that I would share this with you guys.

So the Miss and I are heading home from a parts run and all of a sudden out pops this huge mill.
Were in the town of Schiller park which is a SUBURB of Chicago. Schiller Park is located about 1 mile out side the City limit of Chicago and is heavily populated. It is also about 1 mile from O'Hara International Air Port. At first glance I am thinking that the mill is something that Schiller Park has installed, but no it's a private mill. Usually the largest mills that a municipality will install around here will be a Bergy 10kw so this thing freaked me out. (HOLY S__T) After standing underneath it in awe for awhile craning our necks listening to the blades cutting into the wind we go inside to see whats up. The name of the place is The Great Escape which is a restaurant, bar, banquet establishment. Brian Great is the owners name. While sitting at the bar with a beer I asked him what inspired you to take on such a huge project he tells me he's tired of paying Common Wealth Edison (local utility, electric suppler)and when in combat go all the way, yup that's what he said word for word.
Brian had to put his building and establishment up to finance the mill. woooo.

Not sure if you will be able to read the spec sheet so here are some specs.
Big Windy
108KW Micron
Tower 80ft
Blades 32 ft each, wing span 62ft
Foundation 8ft dia concrete, 30ft deep
Cost $315,000.00
Total height 112ft. (I am thinking this is to Blade tip)
Blade approximately 60 rpm.
Alternator 1200 rpm

Jim

Perry

Senior Member

Joined: 19/11/2009
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Posts: 190

Posted: 09:41pm 06 Dec 2009

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Pretty cool. It's always awesome to come upon a random turbine where you wouldn't expect to see one. The bigger they are, the bigger the thrill.

Having said that I would see this as a terrible place for a turbine install. 80 ft is pretty short for a 100 kW turbine. It doesn't look all that much taller than the surroundings. Add to that the ice throw issues in that cold climate and it's proximity to people. It will probably have to be shut down for most of the winter. Will he recover his investment? Probably not. But it is cool.
Perry

JimBo911

Senior Member

Joined: 26/03/2009
Location: United States
Posts: 262

Posted: 10:28pm 06 Dec 2009

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Yeah Brian says it's a gamble and that time will tell.
Tell you what the mans got Balls that's for sure.

The air port is very close so I am sure that is way it's so low to the ground. I have been there twice and it was cranking out the watts both times.
You stand under it and you can almost feel the blades go past you. You can hear slice there the wind.

Jim

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