NEWS

MPW wind turbine would model renewable energy use

Muscatine Journal
By Jennifer Meyer
September 22, 2007
www.muscatinejournal.com

MUSCATINE, Iowa - A wind turbine Muscatine Power and Water wants to build outside its offices would model renewable energy options available to residential customers, a utility spokesman said.

The turbine is a pilot project “to show our customers there are other energy sources besides buying it from your local electric utility,” said Gary Weiskamp, director of utility relations.

He said the turbine would compliment two solar panels the public electric, water and communications utility installed outside its offices at 3205 Houser St. in 2004.
The turbine would help generate up to 400 kilowatt-hours (kwh) of electricity per month for the administrative offices, which also receive supplemental power from the solar panels.

Weiskamp said the estimated $11,000 cost was included in this year’s electrical utility budget.
He said MPW hopes to have the turbine installed in the next two months.

During its meeting Thursday, the Muscatine City Council unanimously approved a request from MPW to build the approximately 70-foot structure.

Steve Boka, director of Planning, Zoning and Building Safety, said before the meeting that Council approval is required because the tower will exceed a 45-foot height restriction.

Weiskamp, who was not at the Council meeting, said the turbine will have 6-foot long blades, and be mounted on a 60-foot pole. He said it was a “relatively small” model compared to other turbines with blades 400 feet or longer.

According to product literature from manufacturer Southwest Windpower of Flagstaff, Ariz., the Skystream 3.7 model provides “quiet, convenient and affordable” electricity for homes and small businesses.

Weiskamp said the turbine is capable of producing enough electricity to meet about half of the typical family’s average 800-850 kwh power needs.

Solar panels - also known as photovoltaic arrays - have the potential for similar output, he said, but the two at MPW have averaged only about 240 kwh over the past couple years because of available sunlight.

Weiskamp said the solar arrays were installed after the Iowa Legislature passed a 2001 energy bill requiring utilities to offer an alternative energy purchase program to residents by January 2004.