An Otter Tail Company

TailWinds questions

Frequently asked by customers

What is TailWinds?
TailWinds provides Otter Tail Power Company customers the option to buy wind-generated electricity.
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Why is Otter Tail Power Company offering wind energy?
People across the nation-and many of our customers-are willing to support wind-generated electricity. They choose to rely more on a renewable resource for their electricity supply.
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How can I purchase wind-generated electricity?
Choose one of the following ways to sign up for TailWinds:

1.

Call our Idea Center at 800-493-3299 and ask to enroll.

2.

Visit your local Otter Tail Power Company office and ask to enroll.

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Will I have electricity when the wind doesn't blow?
Yes. Otter Tail Power Company will provide electricity through other means if the wind doesn't blow.
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Will I need any special equipment to participate?
No.
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Will Otter Tail Power Company send electricity from the wind turbine directly to my home or business?
No, electricity doesn't work that way. We cannot deliver specific electrons to a specific customer. The TailWinds turbine will supply electricity to Otter Tail Power Company's existing generation pool based on the amount of wind energy that customers agree to purchase.
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How does this program affect people who don't subscribe?
Only customers who subscribe to TailWinds pay for it. Other customers incur no costs.
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How does the wind generate electricity?
Giant blades that are mounted on a tower catch the wind and turn a shaft. The turning shaft spins a generator that makes electricity.
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Where are the wind turbines and what do they look like?
Otter Tail Power Company purchases TailWinds electricity from one turbine near Hendricks, MN and another in Gary, SD. The larger of the two units, near Hendricks, is rated at 900 kilowatts. The rotor—with a diameter of approximately 170 feet—and generator are mounted on a 237-foot tower.
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Are turbines dangerous to birds?
The impact of wind turbines on bird populations is very limited at every site in the United States except one in California. New technology uses large turbine blades that rotate at a relatively low speed and have a much lower risk to birds than earlier turbine designs. Also, newer tubular towers like those made at DMI Industries, Inc., in Fargo, North Dakota, are thought to be less appealing to raptors for roosting or nesting spots than the older lattice structures.
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Does wind-generated electricity cost more?
Yes. Although the cost to produce wind-generated electricity is decreasing, it still costs more than traditional generation. The additional monthly charge per 100-kilowatt-hour block will cover these costs and includes no additional profit for Otter Tail Power Company.
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How much electricity is a 100-kilowatt-hour block?
The table below shows how much electricity typical appliances require.

Monthly blocks of energy used by typical electric home appliances
100-kwh blocks
Additional monthly charge
Refrigerator
1
$1.30
Clothes dryer
1
$1.30
Deep freezer
1
$1.30
Small room air conditioner
3
$3.90
Water heating for family of 4
5
$6.50

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May I get all of my electricity from TailWinds?
You may buy one 100-kilowatt-hour block or as many blocks as you would like. The amount of electricity you sign up for cannot exceed your current average usage. That's because we can't sell you more energy than you consume, regardless of its source.
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What if I want to enroll in TailWinds but all the energy from the current turbines has been spoken for?
Otter Tail Power Company will develop additional TailWinds resources to meet growing customer needs.
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For how long am I committed to TailWinds once I enroll?
You are committed for a minimum of one year-unless, of course, you move away from our service area.
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What if I move?
If you continue to be an Otter Tail Power Company customer, we'll transfer your wind-energy commitment to your new address. If you move and no longer are an Otter Tail Power Company customer, you will be under no further obligation.
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How does TailWinds apply to heating customers on an off peak rate?
TailWinds applies no differently to customers on an off peak rate than to standard electric service customers.
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Can businesses participate?
Commercial and industrial customers also can buy 100-kilowatt-hour blocks of wind-generated electricity for the additional charge of $1.30 per block.

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How does Otter Tail Power Company generate electricity?
Our resource mix includes coal-fired generation at modern, efficient plants operating in compliance with the Clean Air Act. We also have hydroelectric generation on the Otter Tail and Mississippi Rivers and buy hydroelectric energy from other facilities.

Our system includes one generator completely fueled with wood-waste biomass and another co-fueled with biomass, alternative fuels, and coal. Blending alternative fuels (tire-derived fuel, refuse-derived fuel, wood, and agricultural waste) with coal at an existing facility is an efficient and economical way to use them. Occasionally we operate oil and natural gas-fired peaking and emergency generators.

And, of course, we have wind generation. Besides the dedicated TailWinds facilities, we buy wind generation from individual customer-owned facilities and large dedicated wind farms. Approximately 10 percent of the energy delivered to retail customers is produced from renewable resources.
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