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Hull Wind Power

Hull Wind I & II

Information provided by Hull Municipal Light (John Murdock)

Windpower is the fastest growing renewable energy producer in the world. It is environmentally friendly and non-polluting.

The Town of Hull first developed wind power in the 1820s. Modern wind technology came to Hull in the 1980s, when the school district installed a small-scale wind power project. The Hull Municipal Light Plant supported that effort and subsequently worked with Citizen Advocates for Renewable Energy, to plan a utility-scale project. A 660-kW turbine, Hull Wind 1, was installed on the harbor in 2001. This past spring, the Hull Municipal Light Plant dedicated a second turbine. Hull Wind 2 is a 1.8 MW Vestas V80, installed on a closed landfill. The two wind turbines supply more than 10 percent of the community's energy needs.

HW I is a Vestas V47 on a 50 meter tower. It is rated at 660 kW.

HW II is a Vestas V80 on a 60 meter tower. It is rated at 1.8 MW.

Both units generate electricity that is used entirely in Hull. We know this because with both units at 100% they do not produce enough electricity for all the users in town. The savings comes from reducing power purchases from other generators and the sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which are sold on the open market to the highest bidder and (REPIs) which are credits that we are paid by the National Renewable Energy Lab.

FAQ's about Hull's windmills:

What's the height and size?

Hull Wind I tower is 150' high. The diameter is 12' at the base tapering to 7' at the top. The blades are 90' long. Total weight of the components is 145,900 lbs. Hull Wind II tower is 180' high. The diameter is 14' at the base tapering to 9' at the top. The blades are 120' long. Total weight of the components is 536,000 lbs.

How much electricity do they produce?

Using statistics for an average household (about 6,000 kilowatt-hours per year): HWI 1,500,000 kilowatt-hours per year or enough electricity to power 250 homes. HWII 4,700,000 kilowatt-hours per year or enough electricity to power 750 homes.

How fast do the blades turn in the wind?

Hull Wind I, never faster than 28.5 revolutions per minute & Hull Wind II 14 .0 rpm, no matter how fast the wind blows. At wind speeds over 55 miles per hours, sustained for 10 minutes, the unit will automatically shut down. When winds slow to below 55 miles per hour it will restart. Power output is controlled by blade pitch and pressure.

How will they be maintained?

We have five-year warranty and maintenance contracts with Vestas.

Why two white and two red lights?

FAA regulations require redundancy so that if one light fails, there is a back up. As any Hull citizen knows, we are in the glide path to Logan Airport.

Does it make noise?

While you may stand right at the base of the tower and not hear a sound, sometimes you can hear a slight "whooshing" sound from several feet away.

How much did it cost?

HWI---$700,000 funded with accrued ratepayer monies and is a turnkey project. HWII--$3,000,000 installed. This includes extensive foundation work that was necessary at the capped Hull landfill. Both turbines were funded with Hull ratepayers' stabilization funds.

How long will it keep working?

With proper maintenance it should continue to generate electricity for 20 years or more.

Will my light bill go down?

Power produced by Hull Wind I has offset power purchases that the light plant would otherwise have needed to make. With the ever-higher cost of power from gas and oil-fired electric generating plants, Hull Wind II will further stabilize or reduce power costs to Hull's ratepayers.

Will there be more?

Hull Wind I has been highly successful and we expect Hull Wind II to be equally successful. Offshore turbines are presently being investigated and the information obtained will be brought to the ratepayers/taxpayers for a decision on whether or not to proceed.

 

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