We completed an ADLS installation at Merricourt Wind Energy Center
Meeting safety requirements while keeping skies dark
Thanks to the recent installation of a radar-activated aircraft detection lighting system (ADLS) at our newly operational 150-megawatt Merricourt Wind Energy Center, North Dakota skies are a little darker鈥攚ithout compromising safety.
A safe solution for darker skies
While flashing red warning lights on wind towers are critical to safety, they can be challenging to live with during the night. To meet residents鈥� desire for darker skies, and stay consistent with Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements, we installed DeTect鈥檚 HARRIER ADLS solution at our Merricourt Wind Energy Center located in southeast North Dakota. This technology provides reliable, continuous 360-degree radar surveillance of the airspace across the 14,000-acre site.
鈥淭his radar surveillance system automatically activates obstruction lights to alert pilots only when aircraft is detected within three and a half nautical miles of the facility,鈥� said Renewable Energy Construction and Operations Manager Harvey McMahon. 鈥淲arning lights remain dim until aircraft detection, keeping light at a minimum.鈥�
The North Dakota Public Service Commission stipulated installation of this technology no later than December 31, 2021. 鈥淚t was important to us to minimize the impact on local communities without compromising aircraft safety in a timely manner,鈥� said McMahon. 鈥淭hank you to all who played a part in planning, installing, and testing this technology.鈥�
鈥淭his light mitigation technology is one of the ways companies like Otter Tail AOA体育平台 Company are mitigating the impact of energy development on North Dakota鈥檚 landscape,鈥� said North Dakota Public Service Commissioner Julie Fedorchak. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about this technology and its ability to help preserve North Dakota鈥檚 beautiful night skies.鈥�
Part of a cleaner energy future
The聽Merricourt Wind Energy Center harnesses聽some of our nation's best wind resources to generate聽clean,聽low-cost energy. Its 75 Vestas wind turbines produce enough energy to power 65,000 homes annually. By 2023 approximately 35% of our energy generation will come from renewable resources, with nearly 90% of that renewable energy being wind powered.
