Minnesota Power completes two phases of Bison Wind Energy Center

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Minnesota Power completes two phases of Bison Wind Energy Center

Greentech Lead America: Minnesota Power, a division of
ALLETE, has completed phases two and three of the company’s Bison Wind Energy
Center.

The 210-megawatt (MW) renewable energy installations near
New Salem, N.D., are now operational and the commissioning process has been
completed.

Bison 2 and 3 consist of 70 wind turbine generators, each
capable of producing three MW of electric power by way of direct-drive turbines
manufactured by Siemens AG. The turbines are installed atop 265-foot towers in
south-central North Dakota.

Minnesota Power’s Bison project was launched in 2010. The
82-MW Bison 1 wind farm consisting of 31 turbines was built over two years.
This year, the Duluth-based electric utility erected an additional 70 towers.
The accelerated timetable is largely due to the scheduled expiration of a
production tax credit on wind generation at the end of 2012.

“Like our nation, our company is in the midst of a major
transition to ensure a more balanced energy supply,” said Alan R. Hodnik,
ALLETE chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Investment in cost-effective
emission-free wind energy is an important component of ALLETE’s overall growth
strategy to meet the needs of a changing energy landscape.”

Minnesota Power is moving the wind energy from North
Dakota to Duluth, Minn., over a 465-mile direct current transmission line that
the company purchased in 2009. That purchase enabled Minnesota Power to phase
out a long-term contract to buy coal-based electricity from the Young Station
in Center, N.D., and replace it with wind energy.

A meticulous commissioning process for Bison 2 and 3
involving personnel from Minnesota Power and Siemens was completed this week.
The final stage of the launch involves control testing that demonstrates that
the Bison project can function as a “wind park,” with all three phases working
together.

MISO, a regional organization overseeing electric
transmission in 11 U.S. states and Manitoba, will be involved in integrating
the completed wind park into the regional power grid.

“By meeting an aggressive timetable we are able to
capitalize on the wind production tax credits to the benefit of our customers
in providing a clean, cost-effective energy resource,” said Minnesota Power
Chief Operating Officer Brad Oachs.

Since 2005, Minnesota Power has been rebalancing its
energy supply mix in ways that are smart, sensible and sustainable for its
customers and the environment. With the addition of Bison 2 and 3 the company
has achieved a 20 percent renewable mix and is well on its way to meeting
Minnesota’s renewable energy goal that utilities provide 25 percent of their
energy through renewable means by 2025.  

editor@greentechlead.com

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