Wind Repowering Part 1

• It often makes sense to repower a lobster boat when the motor has reached the end of its life but the rest of the vessel is solid and useable for many more years.  The same is true for wind turbines like ours.

• Wind turbines typically have a 20- to 25-year lifespan, and FIW’s turbines are now nearly 20 years old (they were purchased in 2008, but manufactured in 2005).

• There are thousands of parts and sensors inside these complicated machines, including lots of parts that support and move the turbine to catch the wind.

• Over time, wear and tear takes its toll, and regular maintenance and repairs are critical to keep turbines performing. Like any industrial equipment, the FIW turbines are starting to show their age, with more frequent breakdowns and increased maintenance cost. That is why we’re looking at future options now.  

• The FIW board is now evaluating the most cost-effective recommended approach, to be funded through a combination of grants and subsidized low-interest loans, and approved via a community vote.  Initial info suggests that keeping the existing towers but replacing the generator components and blades with modern, more efficient, and quieter models could boost power output by 30% and increase reliability.  

• A May 20, 2024, community meeting discussed a range of wind power options, and a video from that meeting is available online at: https://www.foxislandswind.com/videos.