The turbines of Broome County's first wind generating project are producing electricity that's now being delivered to the New York state grid.

Over the past year or so, 26 turbines were erected in the towns of Windsor and Sanford for the Bluestone Wind Project.

The door to a wind turbine tower in eastern Broome County. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
The door to a wind turbine tower in eastern Broome County. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Operations manager Terry Stanley said the turbines "catch the wind" and convert it to electricity, which is sent to a substation. There, the voltage is increased to what is needed for utility use so it can be transferred to a NYSEG substation.

Each turbine is equipped with a system designed to redirect the energy from lightning strikes to reduce the risk to the blades.

The Bluestone project is owned by Northland Power of Toronto. Vestas Wind Systems manufactured the turbines that are used by the wind farm. Northland and Vestas workers are able to remotely monitor turbine operations.

A Bluestone Wind turbine on July 23, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
A Bluestone Wind turbine on July 23, 2023. (Photo: Bob Joseph/WNBF News)
loading...

Testing of the turbines has been underway in recent weeks as part of the process of ramping up commercial operations of the project.

Stanley said people sometimes have questions about why turbine blades aren't moving when they'd be expected to be in motion. He said units occasionally are shut down for routine maintenance. Vestas workers may need to conduct tasks like changing the oil in the turbines.

Stanley noted that like any other type of mechanical equipment, things sometimes break down. Parts may have to be repaired or replaced.

Turbines may occasionally be idle for two or three days if work is being done at the substation.

WATCH: One of the Bluestone Wind Farm turbines in eastern Broome County.

WDOS-WDLA-WCHN CNY News logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore

The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

Gallery Credit: Stacey Marcus

States with the most registered hunters

Stacker analyzed data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to determine which states have the most registered hunters. Read on to see how your state ranks on Stacker’s list.

Gallery Credit: Meagan Drillinger

LOOK: Baby names losing popularity in the 21st century

Stacker took a look at the names losing popularity in the 21st century, using data from the Social Security Administration.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

More From WDOS-WDLA-WCHN CNY News