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Blowin' in the wind: Installation of turbine at WHS begins

Seacoastonline.com
December 25, 2009
www.seacoastonline.com

HAMPTON — Construction on the Winnacunnet High School turbine began Monday, Dec. 21, the first day of winter.

With the uncertainty of fossil fuels and ever-fluctuating prices of oil, there has been a push to seek out new, more efficient forms of energy production. The high school has noticed this trend and has been planning, in conjunction with Unitil Corporation, to install a wind turbine on school grounds.

"Construction of the wind turbine (began) on Monday morning ... and (by) Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 23, all the concrete should (have been) poured and backfilled around the foundation," said Facilities Director Richard White. "We are currently looking at mid-January to erect the tower and install the turbine."

Joint meetings between Unitil and WHS administrators began back in the summer of 2008. Many steps have been taken between then and now, including receiving town approval and accessing what school funds would be required.

In order to install the wind turbine, a Skystream 3.7, the school needed to appropriate approximately $2,000, with Unitil picking up the balance of $14,000. A strategic location for the Skystream was chosen by the flag pole near the soccer fields.

The turbine needs to be close to the building for the data feed and, while the Skystream is capable of supplying the school with 1.3 million kilowatts of power a year, the single wind turbine will only make a small impact in reducing energy costs. However, its implementation is as much about education and community awareness as it is about Winnacunnet's electric bill, said SAU 21 Superintendent James Gaylord.

Administrators have seen the general trend in the energy industry over the last few years, move towards cleaner and "greener" sources of power. Gaylord said the wind turbine will be a good, "teaching tool for kids" and will be able to introduce students to future technologies.

"Something will spark one kid who sparks another kid that might lead to something that benefits society as a whole," said Gaylord.

It may also be interesting for science teachers at Winnacunnet to be able to use readings from the Skystream wind turbine in order to fuel discussion about new energy technology, Gaylord said. Technology education classes may also be able to use the wind turbine in order to teach students about the tools and technologies used in the creation of such a device.