School plugs into unused power source
The Spectrum
April 10, 2008
www.thespectrum.com
By David Demille
ENOCH - Starting this fall, a group of unlikely residents will take the lead in developing wind energy in the Cedar Valley - elementary school students.
Plans are under way to erect a wind generator at Three Peaks Elementary School, a tower between 33 an 70 feet tall that will produce enough energy to power a small home, that educators hope will help students become familiar with the age of renewable energies.
The Three Peaks project, scheduled to begin construction in August, is following in the footsteps of a success story in Milford, where a few wind towers and some industrious students and teachers have convinced commercial developers to take notice of the valuable resource.
Sometime this year, a developer is slated to start constructing a wind farm that will have some 80 turbines and produce more than 200 megawatts of power.
"It's a great opportunity," said Brad Vetsch, a junior at Milford High School. He said the wind farm would provide many new jobs to the area, and with his experience on the school systems, he has the inside track on becoming a wind industry technician.
While the Cedar Valley receives slightly less wind than Milford, there is still plenty to use - about 13 mph winds on average - said Gerald Whipple, president of Solar Unlimited in Cedar City.
"People kind of complain about the wind blowing a lot, me included," he said. "But there's a lot of energy, too."
Organizers plan to use a new Skystream 3.7 generator at Three Peaks, which is rated to produce 1.8 kilowatts per hour.
The school will save money on its energy bill, and the students will learn concepts in math and science and other areas as they keep track of how much power the generator is producing, and how much money that power is worth.
"Science is not something that should just be in a textbook or on a test," said principal Tim Taylor. "Students get excited when they get to do something hands-on."
In addition, the project will engage students about relevant social issues because renewable energy has become such an important topic amid talk of pollution, rising fuel prices and energy dependence, said Clay Carter, the fourth-grade teacher expected to take the lead on the project at Three Peaks.
"It makes them more aware of energy," he said. "When they go home and turn the lights on, it means more to them."
The tower will be funded by a $15,000 grant funded by Rocky Mountain Power, as well as Utah Clean Energy and Utah Clean Air, nonprofit outfits working to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy technology in Utah.
Sara Baldwin, community programs and policy associate at Utah Clean Energy, said Three Peaks was chosen largely because of the excitement and interest shown by its staff and administration.
"We've been looking for some champions to really take ownership of the project and see it through," she said.
Two more schools will be added onto the project in the near future, Baldwin said, although the schools have not yet been selected. She said a successful project at Three Peaks could push the concept forward throughout the region.
"Our hope is this provides a model for us to follow in the future," she said.
"It's a small amount of energy," she added. "However, it has enormous benefits to the kids."
The wind programs also can have tangible affects on the local community, such as in Milford, where the coming wind farm could have a huge impact on the economy.
Andy Swapp, who teaches the renewable energies class at MHS, said students like Vetsch will literally change the landscape of the area with their knowledge of wind systems.
"Guys like Brad are responsible for bringing the wind farm to the area," he said.
Swapp said wind is a virtually untapped resource that area developers could exploit, if they just take a cue from efforts like the wind system at Three Peaks.
"The resources are there, because the commercial developers are all around," he said. "It's there if we take advantage." |
