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IDOT tests wind turbine as power source for I-74 rest stop

The Illinois Department of Transportation is using a wind turbine to supply supplemental power to a rest stop along Interstate 74 just north of Woodhull.

IDOT Spokesman Brian Williamsen says the turbine provides 14,000 to 25,000 kilowatt-hours per year to the Krisdala Baka rest area.

Williamsen tells WGIL the rest stop is still powered primarily by traditional sources, but the wind turbine supplements that power with greener electricity.

“Sustainable energy is something that we’re looking here,” he says, “and so what it does is it give us the opportunity to take a look at that. It’s actually the first one that we have installed so it’s a pilot project of sorts, if you will, there.”

The 100-foot-tall turbine has been up for about a month. The turbine is located on the westbound side of I-74. It provides electricity to the eastbound rest station as well.IMG_20160324_151354318

“We’ll be taking a look at that to see what kind of wind energy we can harness there,” Williamsen says. “This is a site (where there is) plenty of wind in that area.”

He says IDOT will observe site’s performance and may build turbines near other locations in the future.

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