Connecticut College has partnered with Global Energy Concepts (GEC) to take the first step in determining the feasibility of erecting a wind turbine on campus to generate electrical power.
The wind feasibility project will consist of two phases. In Phase 1, which began Sept. 18, GEC will determine the amount of wind available on campus and indicate what size turbine, if any, is practical. Phase 2 will examine the regulatory, economic, engineering, environmental and aesthetic issues associated with such a project.
Glenn Dreyer, the Charles and Sarah P. Becker ´27 Director of the Arboretum, said the study will give the college the data to make an informed decision about whether to move forward with this particular local energy generation project.
“Given the obvious difficulties with our nation´s current energy policies from economic, political, environmental and security standpoints, and the ever-increasing portion of the college budget consumed by our energy utilization, it behooves our community to explore options for the local generation of energy by renewable means,” Dreyer said.
The study is being funded by a student fee, which was initiated by students in 2001 to support on-campus renewable energy projects. Last year, the fund was used to purchase renewable energy credits that offset nearly 50 percent of the college´s annual electricity usage.
The college´s Environmental Model Committee, comprised of faculty, students and staff, spent last year reviewing renewable energy options and decided to initiate the wind turbine study.
Subsequent polls of both Connecticut College students and employees conducted last spring indicated strong support for a wind project on campus.
“If feasible, erecting a wind turbine would demonstrate our community´s commitment to environmental sustainability by decreasing our dependence on fossil fuel and nuclear-based systems,” Dreyer said.
Connecticut College has long been a leader in environmental education and in environmental sustainability. Most recently, the college sponsored a compact fluorescent light bulb exchange program on campus and installed 10 Vending Misers®, devices that power down vending machines when not in use.
Contact: Eric Cárdenas (860) 439-2508; eric.cardenas@conncoll.edu
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/09/25/conn-college-studying-feasibility-of-wind-turbine-on-campus/