Wind Turbines, Part 2
February 28th, 2007 by Jim VLooks like the next major snow storm since this past weekend has started. The snow started just before dark. I was able to get home in time to do a few extra things in preparation - like bed the cows since they won’t want to leave their shed much for a day or two. The local weather forecasters are forecasting 13-22 inches of snow, but we will have to see what God actually gives us. Last time they were predicting similar amounts and we got 10 inches.
Ever since I learned about the big wind turbines going up a few miles from my farm, I and a friend have been doing some investigation to see if a smaller wind turbine is feasible for his 700 cow dairy. After talking with a few people, I am beginning to see why the smaller wind turbines designed for a farm or residence are not just popping up all over. I talked with a local wind turbine manufacturer who says they have a turbine that will run my friend’s 700 cow dairy. A wind turbine this size (20kW) costs $55,000 installed and the salesman I talked with said it would take 15-18 years to recoup the initial cost of the wind turbine. The manufacturer indicated that there might be a government program that would pay part of the cost, but I don’t think that the government should be in the business of paying for someone’s wind turbine. This does not seem to be a Biblically valid function of the government. This smaller wind turbine will only work when the power grid is up. If the power grid is down you are down! Batteries can be purchased to alleviate this problem, but they are very, very expensive - $30,000. The salesman for this local manufacturer told us to just get someone to put up one of the big 400 foot high turbines on my friend’s land. He said they cost over 1 million dollars, but if you put down $100,000, the bank will finance the rest and you will have the turbine paid off in 6 to 7 years. Lifetime of the big turbines is about 20 years - I read this in the proposal to place the big wind turbines a few miles from my place. So it looks like some money can be made with a big wind turbine. Anyone have an extra $100,000? I sure don’t. The salesman actually discouraged us from considering the smaller wind turbines.
This weekend at church I talked with a farmer who lives about 5 miles from my house. He had a smaller wind turbine that powered his house for a few years until a storm came through and took it down. He just helped someone put up a 80,000 dollar wind turbine. He said that this second person was paid $7,000 last year for the electricity that he generated. But $80,000 is still a lot of money to invest. This farmer is still investigating putting up another wind turbine on his farm, but he says the return is not that great, especially considering the maintenance that needs to be done. Actually talking to this farmer was very interesting. He is a Vietnam veteran and is only a few years older than me. He married later, but has seven children, the youngest child is about 5 years old. He is a crop farmer who owns 250 acres. He said he is not encouraging any of his sons to be farmers and thinks that eventually a bunch of big corporations or the government will own the land in our area. He said that because his farm is smaller, he doesn’t get the good deals that the larger farmers get from fertilizer and chemical companies. His land is probably some of the most productive land in the country. It is sad that he is not able to see beyond the conventional way of doing things. May God grant us the wisdom and creativity to start something new and not just get stuck in the same old ruts.
Jim V
March 1st, 2007 at 12:41 am
Jim,
Great thought at the end… “May God grant us the wisdom and creativity to start something new and not just get stuck in the same old ruts.” I believe that is the motive that will move us all along. Dependence on God, looking to the future, a sense of fellowship. Thanks for your posts, they are terrific!
JM
March 1st, 2007 at 6:44 am
So, Hows the storm going? We’re getting the less frozen end of it here. Looks like almost an inch of rain here today with a nasty light and sound show to boot.
I looked hard at those turbines, but personally I believe,they don’t justify the costs. I was told by the salesman the same thing (15 year recoup). When I asked if that included yearly maintenance, he balked. I wasn’t too worried about bearings and things like that, I could fix that, it was the things that have to do with all that electricity stuff I wouldn’t be able to handle. In the end, I figgered it would be more cost effective to just try to conserve, rather than get a whole new set of problems….. Then again, I’m not a very brave man……
Jim, I too like your last thought. I’ll tell you what, this sight is great for ideas just to think about. The other day, Tom mentioned just randomly opening up the bible while waiting for his water to pump. I’ve been trying to think of things to do while I’m draining my pond too. So I dusted off my ol Army pocket bible and took it with me and just opened it up…… I’m just wondering why mine always randomly opens to passages about fools
….
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
March 1st, 2007 at 7:15 am
JM,
Lately I have been struck by how people really get blinded and are unable to think of new ways. Seems that this occurs in every aspect of our lives, including making medical decisions, farming, training children, etc. And what disturbs me the most is that I see this happening to Christians. Couple of days ago I talked with a used bulk tank dealer checking on a smaller bulk tank that would be good for 10 cows. He made some comment about not being able to make any money on 10 cows. The more that I think about it the more that it disturbs me. My reply was that when you are getting $50 or $60 a hundred weight you can make money on 10 cows. Even as I reply I can see that I need to work to foster creativity in my own life and in the lives of my children. We need to work to listen to the Lord in all matters.
Brad,
Seems that overnight we hit a lull in the storm. It is just cloudy now. I am trying to figure out if I head into work. They are predicting 6-10 inches with near blizzard conditions and more where I work. Decisions, decisions. I hate to get stuck in some big snow drift on the way home or spend hours on the road.
We do need to help each other think by giving each other ideas. Sometimes I feel so dull and these blogs help give me the kick that is sometimes needed. I guess that is what the Bible does as well, especially when we read the dangers and characteristics of being a fool.
Jim V
March 1st, 2007 at 8:00 am
Thanks for posting more info on them turbines Jim. I’m more like Brad I guess, just conserve more and figure out what we can do with less. I know for a fact that we in this country could cut back fifty percent and still live in total comfort.
Speaking of comfort, I just ended up in my yard now plowing snow with the Bobcat. Take a quick look at the radar, and get back out there and feed them cows before that next wave hits. Snowing now, but nothing bigtime yet. I figure we got 4 inches over night. Soft snow this time, easy plowing.
Well, toodle doo! Gotta get going, Praising the Lord for giving man the wisdom of putting heated cabs on Bobcats. Took man a while to get the message, but I’m glad he did!
Keep me updated here and there what’s going on down your way Jim.
Oh, about the fool thingy! You’ll notice how many times it’s directed at the wise of the world. So I figure, acoarding to most, I ain’t wise so that makes me feel better anyhow.
March 1st, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Tom,
I think conserving electricity is the best option at this point. Heated Bobcats are nice aren’t they. I’ve got the 15th century type heated Bobcat - myself and my kids with gloves and stocking hats, and maybe some good overalls.
Snowing hard in the Twin Cities. Looks like time to head home. They have closed I-35 south of Albert Lea. Have fun plowing snow!
Jim V
March 1st, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Tad bit rough here today, almost blizzard conditions. Glad I’m not on any roads today! Got the feeding all done, now to just wait this thing out, fire up furnaces later. They even postponed the annual coop meeting tonight, (this is the good little coop). Tonight the Bobcat will be staying in our garage. I mean when that garage door opens I’ll be moving snow from foot one!
I can’t beleive it! I was looking in a Nursery Catalog and they got a Pecan Tree that grows in zone 4, hmm. Also some peach trees. I was thinking, the only trees I’m gonna plant around here from now on better have food on them! That’s the trouble with blizzards, a persons mind gets going on all these strange plans
Don’t cost as much as figuring out energy plans eh!
March 2nd, 2007 at 8:34 am
Tom,
Where did you find the zone 4 pecans? Will they bear after subzero cold? I am interested in find out more. Are you thinking of planting some fruit trees? We already have apples and have talked about planting more fruit trees, but haven’t done it yet. Now is probably the time to do it if we are ever going to enjoy the results.
Jim V
March 2nd, 2007 at 10:48 am
Found it at Miller Nursery. Don’t know how they’d do but you never know! They’ve got quite a few different trees that could possibly make it in the north.
Gotta get back out, snowing heavy right now and blowing. A milk truck is stuck on the road a couple hundred yards from my house. It’s bad here.
http://www.millernurseries.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=10
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:48 pm
hi Jim V,
just droped by to see how , u and the family was doin?
take care!
March 9th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Janice,
Thanks for stopping by and asking how the family is doing. We are doing well. Sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier.
Jim V