Wind turbine going up at Northwest State

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Crescent-News (OH)
July 26, 2009
www.crescent-news.com

ARCHBOLD -- Stark's Inc., through its Green by Design division, has started installation on a Skystream 3.7 wind turbine for Northwest State Community College.

The installation will be completed during a tower raising ceremony scheduled for Aug. 4 at 10 a.m.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place on the west corner of "E" building on the Northwest State campus. The wind turbine and a geothermal heating and cooling system are being installed in an educational setting and will be available as training tools for students in the new alternative energy degree program offered at Northwest State.

"The demand for alternative energy related jobs is projected to grow significantly over the next 10 years, especially in Ohio" said Dan Burklo, dean of engineering technologies at Northwest State. "There will be jobs in the alternative energy design and service industries, it is our job to get a trained work force ready to fill the needs of this industry."

The Skystream 3.7, which will be mounted on a 45-foot monopole tower, is designed for residential and small commercial applications.

It connects directly into the grid and produces power when wind speeds are at least eight miles per hour.

The wind turbine will provide a portion of the power needs for Northwest State, but its primary function will be as an educational tool for the college's new alternative energy courses.

In addition to the installed wind turbine, the classes will also have access to a cutaway model turbine. The turbine is full size, but is mounted to a three-foot stand, which puts the equipment at eye level.

A cutaway on the side allows the inner workings of the turbine to be visible to students.

"We are fortunate to have a forward-thinking educational institution like Northwest State in our area," said Stark's Inc. president, Shawn Stark. "It's exciting to be a part of a project that will not only raise awareness about alternative energy, but also help prepare the future work force for this field."