Big River Wind News & Updates

06/08/2026

How does turbine height impact a project?

Wind turbine technology is always improving, and the industry has been trending toward taller turbines for several years. AES will only be considering turbines with a proven track record of safety and performance.

Taller turbines have several benefits.⤵️
1. Fewer Turbines Needed. Taller turbines generally have a higher individual generation capacity than older/smaller turbines. This means that fewer total turbines are needed.
2. Reduced Viewshed Impact. In addition to having a lesser viewshed impact by simply having fewer turbines, taller turbines are sited further apart to maximize wind conversion efficiency with longer blades.
3. Quieter Project. Taller turbines are quieter because their blades spin slower, there are fewer total turbines, and the source of the sound is further from the ground and more spread apart. Additionally, modern turbines have improved blade designs, which significantly reduce sound.

06/01/2026

What happens if a tornado or other hazardous weather occurs in proximity to a wind project?

If severe weather, such as a tornado, was to occur within the Project area and cause damage to the wind turbines, AES would be liable for cleaning up the impacted area and properly disposing of the damaged components.

Furthermore, AES will have insurance on the Big River Wind project, which helps to ensure that following any damage incurred to the Project, proper clean up and replacement would occur. All payments associated with clean up and replacement that may be due to a severe weather event would be paid for by the Project. The community will not be liable for any payments on damage done to the Project due to severe weather.

With advancements in technology and well-tested equipment that is reliable and safe for harnessing wind, turbines can withstand high winds. According to the International Electrotechnical Commission, wind turbines are required to be built to withstand sustained winds of 112 miles per hour (mph) and peak 3-second gusts of 156 mph. Turbines generally will purposefully not operate during extreme weather conditions to avoid damage.

All turbines AES considers for Big River Wind will be designed to withstand lightning strikes. It is industry standard for turbines to have lightning receptors on the blades, a down-conducting system that sends the lightning current down through the wind turbine, an earthing system designed to dissipate and discharge lightning strikes, shielding from magnetic and electrical fields, and protection from overvoltage and overcurrent.

Additionally, if there are storms in the area, AES standard safety protocol asks all technicians to leave the turbines and muster inside the operations and maintenance building located on the project site.

05/29/2026

Developers utilize advanced computer modeling to strategically position wind turbines, ensuring low sound levels for nearby homes.

Learn more about wind turbines and sound: www.energy.gov/eere/wind/articles/wind-farms-future-will-be-more-powerful-and-quieter

05/28/2026

Our team continues to actively advance a proposed wind energy project in Des Moines County, IA. With a busy summer ahead, we remain focused on studying the project area and working toward a responsibly designed, reliable facility that meets county ordinance requirements.

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on their dedication and courage.

Wishing everyone a safe day of remembrance with loved ones! ❤️

05/22/2026

At its core, property rights are legally protected entitlements individuals and entities have over assets. This concept shapes resource use, management, and transfer within society, serving as a foundation for economic systems.

Property rights include:
- The right to possess → Exclusive control over the asset.
- The right to use → Freedom to utilize the property within legal limits.
- The right to exclude → Prevent others from accessing or using it.
- The right to transfer → Ability to sell or lease the property.
- The right to derive income → Benefit financially through renting or selling resources.

Private property rights grant exclusive ownership, allowing landowners autonomy in managing their resources—like installing wind turbines for electricity generation.

You can learn more about property rights using the link below.⬇️
https://energy.sustainability-directory.com/term/property-rights/

05/18/2026

The domestic renewable energy sector is fueling American manufacturing and boosting our energy independence.

It’s creating jobs and driving economic growth across the nation.

With over 800 manufacturing facilities, it adds $18 billion to the GDP each year and supports 122,000 American jobs!

Learn more about domestic renewable energy manufacturing in the comments below!⬇️

05/15/2026

Numerous studies indicate that utility-scale wind turbine installations have no long-term negative impact on property values.

Instead, research suggests these installations can even boost regional property values, especially in rural areas.

Wind projects benefit communities economically by enhancing the tax base, creating jobs, and increasing per-capita income.

With over 73,000 turbines generating 153 gigawatts of clean electricity for 46 million homes, wind energy is a vital source of renewable power in the U.S.

Despite concerns from some homeowners about potential value reductions, extensive research shows this perception is unfounded.

Learn more with the link below.⬇️
https://cleanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/gateway/2023/12/ACP_Property-Values-Land-Based-Wind-Turbines_Fact-Sheet-Dec-2023.pdf

05/11/2026

Energy and electricity... What's the difference? Are they one in the same?

Hear from Laur Hesse-Fisher from MIT on the differences between the two!

S2EB: Is it energy or electricity?

05/08/2026

Visual Impact: Light Mitigation Technology

In compliance with the DMC Ordinance, the turbines used in Big River Wind will contain Aviation Detection Lighting Systems (ADLS). When a turbine is equipped with this feature, aviation lights are activated only when there is an aircraft approaching. The FAA requires flashing lights visible to planes flying below 1,000 feet within three nautical miles. Each project must be evaluated by the FAA individually. Other light mitigation technologies exist but lack FAA certification or guidance for implementation.

New and improved ADLS technology means that for many new wind farm projects, the blinking red lights will not be a constant!

Learn more here ➡️https://cleanpower.org/wp-content/uploads/gateway/2021/01/FinalVersion_Wind-Turbine-Lighting-Fact-Sheet-3.23.22.pdf