Ask Mr. Answer Person: "Why doesn't the Luther wind turbine always move when it's windy?"

Ray asks Mr. Answer Person: Why is Luther's wind generator sometimes not in use when it is plenty windy enough for it to be generating electricity?  Does it have limited duty cycle?  Does the power company limit how much they will accept?"

Mr. Answer Person says: A good general discussion about the wind turbine is hosted on the college's website at "http://www.luther.edu/sustainability/energy-climate/renewable/wind-turbine/

As for your specific questions, the wind turbine stops moving most often when the wind speed drops below 2.5 meters per second.  But there are also occasional shut downs for maintenance.

The Luther wind turbine has an expected life time of 20 years and is built to operate whenever the wind speed is over 2.5 meters per second.  There's no limitation because of the equipment, nor is there any limitation because of Alliant Energy.  Underground cable carries the electricity from the wind turbine to an Alliant Energy distribution line that serves the Luther campus.