OPG 7 commemorative turbine, Wind turbine at Pickering Nuclear Station, Ontario, Canada
OPG 7 commemorative turbine is a wind energy installation at Pickering Nuclear Station that rose 117 meters tall and supplied electricity to roughly 600 homes before operations ended in 2019. The structure featured an internal ladder system for maintenance access and automatic shutoff mechanisms that engaged when wind speeds became too strong.
The wind turbine was built in 2001 as part of Ontario Power Generation's early steps into renewable energy and marked a significant moment in commercial wind power development across North America. It operated successfully until 2019, demonstrating how wind technology could work alongside conventional nuclear power sources.
The structure served as an educational site where visitors learned about wind energy technology through guided tours and informational displays.
The site was open to visitors through guided tours that explained wind energy technology using educational displays and demonstrations. Visiting on windier days allowed observers to see the turbine operating and watch its rotational movement in action.
The turbine required 318 tonnes of concrete for its foundation to withstand its height and weight, and spun at about 15.7 revolutions per minute during operation. This engineering solution revealed how substantial the structural work had to be to support such a tall installation.
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