MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY SAYS IT PLANS TO INSTALL SIX MORE AIRCRAFT DETECTION SYSTEMS TO KEEP THE RED WARNING LIGHTS AT THE TOP OF WIND TURBINES OFF UNTIL THEY ARE NEEDED.
COMPANY SPOKESMAN GEOFF GREENWOOD SAYS THEY STARTED TESTING THE SYSTEM IN 2023.
TURBINELIGHTS1 OC……OFF AT NIGHT” ;14
GREENWOOD SAYS THEY HAVE 38 WIND FARMS IN 34 COUNTIES AND THE BLINKING RED LIGHTS ARE REQUIRED FROM DUSK UNTIL DAWN BY THE F-A-A SO PLANES CAN SEE THE WIND TURBINES AT NIGHT.
HE SAYS THE WARNING SYSTEM IS SIMPLE, AND THEY’VE FOUND IT KEEPS THE LIGHTS OFF 95 TO 98 PERCENT OF THE TIME.
TURBINELIGHTS2 OC…..GO BACK OFF” :14
GREENWOOD SAYS THE LIGHTS ARE IMPORTANT IN RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE ARE SMALL AIRPORTS.
TURBINELIGHTS3 OC……FLYING A LOT LOWER” :21
HE SAYS THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW ALL THE REGULATIONS FOR INSTALLATION, BUT PLAN TO EVENTUALLY ADD THE LIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS TO ALL THEIR WIND FARMS.
Radio Iowa/Midamerican Energy photo
