Tower of Power

The height of success

We’re reaching new heights on our new 66-megawatt wind farm, where the tips of the turbine blades are nearly 500 ft. above the ground.  See how the latest wind technology will bring clean power to about 47,000 households. 

Congrats to Cynthia A. – she won a Belkin two-port swivel charger/outlet in our comment contest! 

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  1. Jane said:

    Very cool! I got to climb a wind turbine once – it was awesome!

    at 2:04 pm on January 9, 2019
  2. Danny Andersen said:

    Thanks. Very interesting video. Pretty cool how magnets are used to secure the internal steps.

    at 2:10 pm on January 9, 2019
  3. Todd Hayes said:

    Really kool to see the wind turbine and how it operates. Great that we’re finally making use of wind energy and feeding it back into the electric grid.

    at 2:11 pm on January 9, 2019
  4. Becky said:

    The U.S. is so far behind in their renewable energy in comparison to many countries with the same technology. It is good to see some improvement and enhancements to complete renewable energy for the Midwest.

    at 2:11 pm on January 9, 2019
  5. Kurt Schoenwetter said:

    WOW, great job look forward to many more.

    at 2:18 pm on January 9, 2019
  6. Ashley said:

    I am pleased that Dane County is putting such emphasis on clean power. The fact that the technology keeps improving allowing for advances like this wind farm in Saratoga shows the future of clean energy

    at 2:23 pm on January 9, 2019
  7. Peter Windschiegl said:

    Very interesting. I have seen many wind turbins while driving. Great alternative
    to coal, etc. Thank you.

    at 2:33 pm on January 9, 2019
  8. Kaye Ketterer said:

    Very impressive that this wind farm can provide power for 47,000 homes! I am always amazed at the structure of wind farms when I see them as I travel. They look more peaceful than giant smoke stacks and coal mines!
    Keep up the good work MGE!

    at 2:49 pm on January 9, 2019
  9. Bibiana said:

    I agree, it is pretty cool. It is astonishing the amount of energy those wind turbines will produce. Those magnets holding the ladder is also interesting to know about. Innovations are happening everyday and it is great to see how far we have come and the feeling of where we are going for the future. Keep it coming.

    at 2:51 pm on January 9, 2019
  10. Lynette S Margulies said:

    Well this is just delightful. Very catchy title “tower of power”. I recently moved out to the country after 45 years on the East Side of Madison. Whenever I return home from Madison on Hwy 12, I pass several wind turbines. From the moment I saw them, about six months ago, I was awe struck by their beauty and majestic nature. Now I refer to them as “my friends”. I know it seems crazy, but I wave to them every time I pass them by and it always puts a smile on my face

    Great work! Lynette Margulies

    at 3:05 pm on January 9, 2019
  11. Marshall Flax said:

    Great story — well told. Love the push for renewable energy!

    at 3:33 pm on January 9, 2019
  12. Anita Faulkner said:

    We love how wind technology is bringing a greener environment to our electricity use. Great job MGE! We are so glad to be part of this project.

    at 3:40 pm on January 9, 2019
  13. Robert R Santurri said:

    Please continue to expand this as intensely as possible. Thanks for allowing me to choose “wind only” power for at least the last 15 years. Everybody! Get on board!!

    at 4:01 pm on January 9, 2019
  14. Susann Griffiths said:

    Impressive!

    at 4:43 pm on January 9, 2019
  15. Cynthia Albrecht said:

    Thank you for this inside tour of a wind turbine. I see these all over when I drive around and have always been curious about how they work.

    I just got back from a vacation in California and saw the largest wind farm ever outside of Palm Springs. Some of the turbines there were quite small, perhaps these were the older ones?

    So glad to see that my power company is investing in the future!

    at 5:21 pm on January 9, 2019
  16. Douglas Otto said:

    Nice design – so cool!!

    at 5:54 pm on January 9, 2019
  17. Michael Hibbler said:

    I’m so glad to see MG&E’s part in our future energy needs!

    at 6:55 pm on January 9, 2019
  18. Jon said:

    Thanks for the video!

    at 7:40 pm on January 9, 2019
  19. Rose Ann Scott said:

    I think it is kinda cool too. Appreciated seeing inside the turbine and learning about all the parts including the magnet ladders

    at 10:08 pm on January 9, 2019
  20. Janelle said:

    Wow! Clean power by 2030 is an awesome goal. I’m curious how long does it take to pay for the windmill and if our cost of energy goes up due to this product power?

    at 5:43 am on January 10, 2019
  21. D. Tyler said:

    Thanks for the short video – I enjoy learning a little more about how power is “made.” Keep developing clean power sources!

    at 6:22 am on January 10, 2019
  22. mary mussey said:

    Thanks for the inside view.
    Who knew magnets are used to hold the ladders in. That sounds like a money and time saver too.
    Keep up the renewables!
    Mary Mussey

    at 6:50 am on January 10, 2019
  23. Janice Murphy said:

    I’m sending this to some friends in Chicago who would LOVE to be able to select wind power as their main electrical service but don’t have that option.

    at 7:19 am on January 10, 2019
  24. Cairns Rita said:

    Kudos to MG&E for its commitment to wind power! It was interesting to see the innards of these wind turbines.
    Rita Cairns

    at 8:16 am on January 10, 2019
  25. Stuart Utley said:

    I’m curious to know more about the larger diameter blade design. Why does it generate more power than previous design?

    at 9:11 am on January 10, 2019
  26. Jim Cory said:

    keep it up

    at 9:34 am on January 10, 2019
  27. James E Larson said:

    310 feet, I think I can see my house from here!

    at 9:41 am on January 10, 2019
  28. Laura said:

    Pretty cool. Reminds me of the wind farm near Darlington in Lafayette County.

    at 10:00 am on January 11, 2019
  29. Matt said:

    V e r y … interesting!!!
    We often see the turbines parts traveling down the interstate. In 2030 it will be interesting to see the number of wind farms spread across the fields. Its a good answer to the ever increasing demand for electricity.

    at 9:59 am on January 13, 2019
  30. Michael Nikula said:

    Nice video
    As a former engineering student I am fascinated by the technology.
    A great use of available clean resources for generating energy similar to the old windmills driving water pumps on farms back in the day; only a lot larger and more technologically advanced.

    at 10:56 am on January 13, 2019
  31. barbara said:

    MG&E is a progressive company. I am thankful we have this company in our city. I would personally like to see additional additional companies in the Madison area use one or both wind power and solar power before 2030.

    at 1:25 pm on January 14, 2019
  32. James F Monroe said:

    neat!

    at 2:51 pm on January 22, 2019
  33. Tori said:

    Cool video – neat to see how this stuff works, and the new design. I love that MG&E is doing this. Plus, what an awesome view from the top!

    at 3:59 pm on January 23, 2019
  34. Charity Roel said:

    I am very excited to learn about MG&E’s commitment to sustainable energy!

    at 9:13 am on February 6, 2019
  35. Kathy Sajdak said:

    cool. thanks for the inside look. wonder how many turbines are needed to power 47,000 homes?

    at 10:23 am on February 19, 2019
  36. Dave Leeper said:

    I am glad to see solar and wind projects coming to life. PLEASE, put all possible resources into this- plus a little more.

    at 4:46 pm on November 2, 2019

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. North Central Electric LeagueMGE’s Saratoga Wind Farm Joins The Electric Grid - North Central Electric League - March 1, 2019

    […] MGE’s renewable energy channel, Green View, for a look inside one of Saratoga’s wind […]

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