January 18, 2010
Ishpeming Wind Turbine Work to Continue
ISHPEMING - Although it has been several months since area
residents last saw activity at the site of the wind turbine near the Pioneer
Bluffs Apartments in Ishpeming, the company developing the turbine said the work
will be completed.
"We are about safety and producing something that will be a good product," said
Bryan Zaplitny, CEO of MTI Energy Management based in downstate Brighton, which
has been carrying out work on the turbine in cooperation with McKenzie Bay
International. "There have been a lot of things that have been solved."
However, Zaplitny said a completion date has not been set.
"I'm not going to prematurely say anything," he said. "We're looking for a safe
and successful completion rather than an arbitrary schedule."
Work crews were last at the site in April, when one of the 110-foot long blades
was attached to the 162-foot tower that was completed earlier in the year.
Following the test, the blade was removed for modifications.
Zaplitny said a new series of blades has been engineered and produced, offering
more rigidity and eliminating concerns with the aluminum skin covering the
blades. The new blade design reduced the weight of the three blades from 2,000
pounds each to 700 pounds.
With the new blades taken care of, MTI is working on the design and construction
of a lifting rig to hold the blades steady while being lifted into the air and
attached to the turbine tower.
The rig allows for the use of a single crane in the lifting process as opposed
to the three needed in the original trial lift, providing more safety for those
working on the structure, according to MTI.
The Ishpeming turbine is a prototype of the turbines MTI and McKenzie Bay hope
to produce on a wide scale. It is expected to provide half the power needed to
run the 88-unit facility.
At the Pioneer Bluffs Apartments, the turbine is being constructed on a power
purchase agreement that calls for the Ishpeming Housing Commission to pay for
the power, not the construction.
"They have zero dollars in this," Zaplitny said. "Nobody from the receiving site
has spent any money."
In the future, it is hoped the wind turbines can be produced in different sizes
for residential or business customers, depending on how much space they have and
their power needs, said McKenzie Bay CEO Kevin Cook.
"I really think it's one of the more exciting technologies," Cook said. "The
Ishpeming project has opened the door for a tremendous amount of interest."
A full update of progress on the Ishpeming turbine, including videos of the
blades and animations of the lifting rig is available on the Web at
www.mti-energy.com.
By JOHANNA BOYLE Journal Ishpeming Bureau
POSTED: January 18, 2010
http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/539276.html
January 8, 2010
Ishpeming UPDATE
View the Ishpeming update PDF file and associated video files through the links below:
August 14, 2009
BETA BLADE ARRIVES
The first beta blade arrives for additional processing. The new and improved blade will be foamed and skinned. More developments to follow.
June 1, 2009
ISHPEMING PROJECT UPDATE
After completing extensive analysis of the
“alpha” designed blades and a test lift in April, MTI has made a business and
technical decision to produce and install a significantly re-designed “beta”
blade. The beta blade more closely mirrors the production blade design, which
will enable certification. The beta blade is more than 40 times stiffer than the
alpha design enabling a more efficient installation and improvement in
performance.
In addition, the review of the test lift has identified a less costly and faster
method to hoist the blades atop the tower. A special lifting device has been
designed and is being built that will result in a much improved lifting
procedure.
Cranes will be relocated to another job until construction resumes. Blade
delivery and installation completion dates are estimated at six to eight weeks.
April 17, 2009
MTI UPDATES ISHPEMING WINDSTOR WIND TURBINE INSTALLATION
BRIGHTON, MI – MTI Energy Management / Lighting Specialists has advised McKenzie Bay International Ltd (“MKBY:OTC.PK)that the WindStor® installation process at Pioneer Bluff Apartments in Ishpeming, Michigan continues to advance towards completion according to plan. MTI has taken many extra steps to ensure the successful completion of a renewable energy system where construction began and then delayed more than two years ago.
Most of the components that were not installed until this year have been in storage during this time. To be certain that system integrity is maintained and safe operation is achieved; MTI is testing all parts and components multiple times during the completion process. Testing has resulted in re-engineering parts and processes such as changing nuts and bolts to stainless steel, revising tolerances to higher standards, and identifying and correcting numerous oversights.
The blade installation is the final and most complex process requiring the greatest amount of planning and design. Thus far, one blade has been trial-lifted, temporarily installed, and taken back down. MTI has conducted blade stress analysis tests based on the trial-lift and have determined that a custom-designed lifting support brace will be necessary for elevating the blades in a more efficient, less costly and safer manner. A re-usable custom support brace is currently being designed and manufactured. MTI anticipates the brace will be available in May for a successful completion.
MTI reports that an improved blade design, constructed of a composite material, will be utilized for future installations and will eventually replace the blades at Pioneer Bluff. These blades will be implemented as soon as the manufacturing process is completed and a manufacturing source is identified.
April 6, 2009
The wind turbine installation continues
to advance through planned steps at Pioneer Bluff Apartments and is nearing
completion.
A trial blade installation was performed on Wednesday and Thursday last week. We
are now making final adjustments to the blade installation and lifting process.
The next to last mechanical component to be installed is a German designed
braking system. Technicians are awaiting visa approval for their entry into the
USA to certify that the brake system meets their technical specifications.
Blade installation will proceed after final adjustments are completed and the
installation of the braking system. We have completed all of our testing for
this phase. Weather permitting the installation will proceed after the Easter
holiday.
March 27, 2009
Turbine shaft Cap installation - the snow returns
March 26, 2009
More turbine shaft installation
March 25, 2009
More turbine shaft installation
March 24, 2009
Blade Preparation
March 20, 2009
Generator Installed & Turbine Shaft Installation in progress
One of the Village People
Extending Crane
March 18, 2009
McKenzie Bay
International (MKBY), Settles MTI Lawsuit; Appoints New Board
March 9, 2009
Platform hoisting
March 3, 2009
Cranes arrive onsite
February 18, 2009
Blade sections unloaded in Ishpeming
February 17, 2009
Blades sections skinned, painted, loaded and shipped
January 12, 2009
December 22, 2008
Blade completion in process. Happy
Holidays!
Another shipment arrives
December 19, 2008
More components for the WindStor installation
at Pioneer Bluffs in Ishpeming, MI are scheduled to arrive by truck on Monday,
December 22, 2008.
December 16, 2008
Wind turbine nears
completion
Pioneer Bluff in Ishpeming is ready to finish their form
of alternative energy.
ISHPEMING -- After two years of waiting, a senior housing complex will soon be using cheaper, alternative energy.
Pioneer Bluff in Ishpeming received some of the parts that will complete their wind turbine project.
So far, only blade hubs and steel pipes have been delivered.
They'll be assembled to the tower sitting in front of the 88-unit apartment building.
MTI Energy, which took over the project, says it will provide 500,000 to 750,000 kilowatt hours a year and should take no more than a month to complete, weather permitting.
Tuesday,
December 16, 2008 at 6:04 a.m.
WLUC
TV6
Original link: http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=235932
December 16, 2008
Wind project getting off ground
By JOHANNA BOYLE, Journal Staff Writer
ISHPEMING - The wind turbine that will power the Pioneer Bluffs Apartments is
one step closer to the start of construction.
The bulk of the two truckloads of equipment, which included the long inner and
outer shafts of the turbine, arrived in Ishpeming Monday.
"I'm hoping to assemble in January," said Bryan Zaplitny, CEO of MTI Energy
Management, the downstate company which designed the turbine. "We're sticking
with it," despite predicted cold temperatures.
When fully constructed, the turbine will stand 90 feet above the already-built
tower and will feature an 85-foot sphere to house the turbine blades.
In addition to Monday's deliveries, Zaplitny said four more trucks are expected,
with two possibly arriving before Christmas.
One of the next shipments should include the turbine blades, which are being
constructed, Zaplitny said. Once installed, the weather will not affect the
blades' finish, he said. However, in extremely cold weather, workers will have
to be careful during the unloading process when the turbines could be damaged.
Following the installation, the turbine will go through a series of tests,
lasting about a month, before the apartment complex can begin to use the power,
Zaplitny said.
The turbine will help lower the Pioneer Bluffs energy costs and will keep that
energy rate stable for about 15 years, Zaplitny said. The turbine should produce
500,000 to 700,000 kilowatts annually.
Yalmer Mattila Contracting, the Houghton-based company that will be installing
the turbine, plans to use a five- or six-person team to complete the assembly,
said Jeremy Mattila, equipment operator for the company.
Although the project has been stalled for various reasons over several years,
Zaplitny said Yalmer Mattila has been helpful and easy to work with.
"They've just been real good about everything. It instills a lot of faith in the
people of the U.P. for sticking with it," he said.
Check out the video -
Video Exclusive
By JOHANNA BOYLE, Journal Staff Writer
POSTED: December 16, 2008
Original story link:http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/519939.html?nav=5006
December 16, 2008
Wind turbine nears completion
Pioneer Bluff in Ishpeming is ready to finish their form
of alternative energy.
ISHPEMING -- After two years of waiting, a senior housing complex will soon be using cheaper, alternative energy.
Pioneer Bluff in Ishpeming received some of the parts that will complete their wind turbine project.
So far, only blade hubs and steel pipes have been delivered.
They'll be assembled to the tower sitting in front of the 88-unit apartment building.
MTI Energy, which took over the project, says it will provide 500,000 to 750,000 kilowatt hours a year and should take no more than a month to complete, weather permitting.
Tuesday,
December 16, 2008 at 6:04 a.m.
WLUC
TV6
Original link: http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=235932
December 16, 2008
Wind project getting off ground
By JOHANNA BOYLE, Journal Staff Writer
ISHPEMING - The wind turbine that will power the Pioneer Bluffs Apartments is
one step closer to the start of construction.
The bulk of the two truckloads of equipment, which included the long inner and
outer shafts of the turbine, arrived in Ishpeming Monday.
"I'm hoping to assemble in January," said Bryan Zaplitny, CEO of MTI Energy
Management, the downstate company which designed the turbine. "We're sticking
with it," despite predicted cold temperatures.
When fully constructed, the turbine will stand 90 feet above the already-built
tower and will feature an 85-foot sphere to house the turbine blades.
In addition to Monday's deliveries, Zaplitny said four more trucks are expected,
with two possibly arriving before Christmas.
One of the next shipments should include the turbine blades, which are being
constructed, Zaplitny said. Once installed, the weather will not affect the
blades' finish, he said. However, in extremely cold weather, workers will have
to be careful during the unloading process when the turbines could be damaged.
Following the installation, the turbine will go through a series of tests,
lasting about a month, before the apartment complex can begin to use the power,
Zaplitny said.
The turbine will help lower the Pioneer Bluffs energy costs and will keep that
energy rate stable for about 15 years, Zaplitny said. The turbine should produce
500,000 to 700,000 kilowatts annually.
Yalmer Mattila Contracting, the Houghton-based company that will be installing
the turbine, plans to use a five- or six-person team to complete the assembly,
said Jeremy Mattila, equipment operator for the company.
Although the project has been stalled for various reasons over several years,
Zaplitny said Yalmer Mattila has been helpful and easy to work with.
"They've just been real good about everything. It instills a lot of faith in the
people of the U.P. for sticking with it," he said.
Check out the video -
Video Exclusive
By JOHANNA BOYLE, Journal Staff Writer
POSTED: December 16, 2008
Original story link:http://www.miningjournal.net/page/content.detail/id/519939.html?nav=5006
December 11, 2008
The first two truckloads of components for the WindStor® installation at
Pioneer Bluff Apartments in Ishpeming, Michigan are scheduled to arrive on
Monday, December 15th, 2008.
December 8, 2008
Work to resume on wind turbine project
By JOHANNA BOYLE, Journal Staff WriterISHPEMING - Developers of the wind turbine project at Ishpeming's Pioneer Bluff Apartments hope to have the structure producing energy early next year.
Construction on the WindStor turbine, which was supposed to have been completed in 2006, should begin by the end of this month, according to the Ishpeming Housing Commission and MTI Energy Management CEO Bryan Zaplitny.
"We'd like to let everyone know we're moving forward," Zaplitny said.
Materials for the construction, including the turbine's blades, should be arriving in Ishpeming by Dec. 17, he said.
The project was stalled for the past two years due to a number of factors, he said. Although he would not discuss those factors in detail, Zaplitny said a lawsuit between MTI and McKenzie Bay and YA Global, two companies that were associated with MTI, was not the main factor.
"The issues are being straightened out," Zaplitny said.
Despite the cold weather, MTI is determined to get the project finished, Zaplitny said.
"I don't care if there's three feet of snow on the ground," he said. "That project will be done even in the harshest conditions."
Once it is functional, the turbine will provide cheaper alternative energy to the residents of the 88-unit senior housing complex, said Evelyn Valente-Heikkila of the Ishpeming Housing Commission. The agreement is that MTI erects the turbine free of charge and the apartment complex purchase the power created, Valente-Heikkila said.
"I'm pretty optimistic" it will be completed, she said.
