August 10, 2011
Massachusetts

Auburn completes meteorological test tower installation

By Tara Johnson, www.thedailyauburn.com 9 August 2011

AUBURN, Mass. – The Town of Auburn officially completed the installation of the long awaited meteorological wind test tower on Prospect Hill behind the Home Depot Corporation on Thursday, July 28. The 60-foot tower is part of the Town’s feasibility study for the installation of a wind turbine.

On Monday, Town Planner Adam R. Burney expressed his gratitude to the Department of Public Works and the Wind Turbine and Alternative Energy Committee for their involvement in the project. The implementation of the meteorological tower is a critical step towards the Wind Turbine and Alternative Energy Committee’s goal to install a permanent wind turbine in town.

The tower from the Sustainable Energy Developments Inc. of Ontario, N.Y. consists of a weather station and anemometer to measure climate data and wind speeds in the Auburn area. The project, funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center will provide data and information for a 12-month feasibility study, which will determine the possible installation of a permanent wind turbine on the site.

In January 2010, the town received $85,000 in grants from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to test for wind power. In February 2010, the project was supported by State Rep. Paul Frost, U.S. Rep. James McGovern, and State Sen. Michael Moore.

“I’m just thrilled to see that tower go up,” Town Engineer William Coyle said.

“I think it’s a great thing for the Town of Auburn and hopefully will be successful with the results.”

Quarterly updates will be provided to show trends in wind and a draft report will be available in approximately one year for public discussion.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/08/10/auburn-completes-meteorological-test-tower-installation/