PITTSFIELD ROTARY CLUB       District 6460   12-20-06

Apologies to Jan Bleich, (for my lack of hearing, or typing)   JAN was elected to our Rotary Board….not Dan…..

Guest:  Jenna Dolbeare with father, Eric….

February 27, 2007 will be Rotary Ag Day, with Dr. Bob Thompson, Co-Chair of the International Trade Council….the group that develops the trade policies for our country with the rest of the world.   Get your guests lined up.  It will be at the Orr Hall.  Cost:  $9.00 per person.  There will be no Wednesday regular meeting that week… this event takes precedent.

Program:  Sean Middleton… (pronounced Shawn, or Shaun), from Illinois Rural Electric.

Sean is in charge of the Wind Power part of the Rural Electric’s program.  He says that Wind Power is becoming more important, with wind turbines in this state running excellently, as is the turbine here in Pike County. 

The local turbine is running at about 1/3^rd  full power… which is up to expectations….

It was down due to a severe lightning strike that caused damage to the one blade….about a 3 and ½ split of the fiberglass and a hole at the tip of the 150 ft. blade., plus wiping out several motors in the inside of the blade….

It was fixed by a repairman rappelling from the hub to the tip of the blade (something to really watch)….

The lightning strike was called the worst in the U.S. this past year.

The repair was accomplished in just 2 days except the crack in the fiberglass, which took longer.  Cost was $25,000…..Wow! Everything has been running properly since repaired…

The wind turbine will not go over maximum speed, about 14 revolutions per minute… It can provide power for about 500 homes locally.  With more wind, it can adjust with more torque,  which gives more electricity.

The annual maintenance was done recently, and everything is working properly.

The project recently won the Coop of the Year award.

They are currently exploring a multitude of ideas to produce electricity….which includes Wind power, solar, fuel cells, batteries and other off grid ideas.

The Co-op is currently providing internet in this area in addition to electricity.  They hope to have it via satellite soon.

More information can be gotten from   <e-co-op.com>……..

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!