Sprint proposes wind turbine to power lights
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The Kansas City Star
August 14, 2007
www.kansascity.com
A small wind turbine could soon be added to the Sprint campus.
Sprint-Nextel Corp. is proposing to build a 40-foot-tall wind turbine power generator at its campus at 6100 Sprint Parkway. On Monday, the Overland Park Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve a 10-year special use permit for the turbine.
Sprint is proposing to build a Skystream 3.7 Compact Wind Turbine, a residential model produced by Southwest Windpower Inc. The model can produce about 400 kilowatts per month with 12 mph winds — enough to power the lights for Sprint’s monument signs at 117th Street and Nall Avenue. Any excess power would go into the campus power grid.
“We’re really trying to limit our footprint on the environment and this is just one more example of that,” said John Taylor, public affairs manager for Sprint.
If approved, the wind turbine would be placed near the Satchel Paige Field at the southeast corner of the campus. It would stand about 40 feet tall, will have three six-foot blades, and should be quiet when operating.
“A conversation between two people is louder than the noise generated by this turbine,” Taylor said.
The proposal will be reviewed next by the City Council at their Sept. 17 meeting. If the plans are approved, Sprint hopes to have the wind turbine up and running by the fall.
Similar wind turbines have recently been built around Johnson County. The Olathe School District’s College Boulevard Activity Center, 11031 S. Valley Road, and the Johnson County Sunset Drive Building, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, each have a small wind turbine.
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