March 12, 2009 Issue
A Windmill City Again
Broyhill Wind Turbine Public Information Forum A Success, Construction Begins in April
Boone is about to become a windmill city once again thanks to ASU and the ASU Renewable Energy Initiative (ASU REI). Student fees will soon fund the purchase and installation of a Northwind 100 wind turbine that will be located near the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center. Installation is set to begin in April.
From 1979 to 1983, Boone was home to the largest wind-powered electric generator in the nation. Managed by NASA and operated by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, the windmill—the “MOD-1” as it was called—was located on top of Howard’s Knob, and put Boone on the map for sustainable energy, even though its primitive design discouraged much energy production.
This year, Boone will become a windmill city once again thanks to funding provided by ASU students, as well as the foresight and dedication of the ASU administration and the student-led ASU Renewable Energy Initiative (ASU REI).
Boone’s New Windmill…
According to ASU REI Chair Crystal Simmons, installation of the new turbine is set to begin in April. The turbine will be located next to the round water tank to the left of the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, according to ASU Vice Chancellor Greg Lovins.
The soon-to-be-installed turbine is a Northwind 100. The tower height is 115 feet, the blade diameter is 66 feet and the turbine will produce 150,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually—or roughly enough energy to power 10 to 15 residential homes. The machine will generate clean, renewable energy and will feed the energy produced directly into the electrical grid.
The wind turbine will be the largest in North Carolina and will serve as a demonstration project for all community members in the High Country. The project was conceived and designed by the ASU REI. Funding for this project comes from student fees that are voluntarily pledged to the ASU REI so that renewable energy projects can be placed on the ASU campus. New River Light & Power is contributing funds to the project as well.
According to the project proposal, “This wind turbine installation will immediately become a shining example of ASU’s commitment to sustainability and a signature image for the university.”
Turbine Public Information Forum…
ASU REI hosted a Broyhill Wind Turbine Public Information Forum on Wednesday, March 4, in the Helen A. Powers Grand Hall at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center to present the details of a community-scale 100-kilowatt wind turbine that will be installed on the grounds of the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center this year.
“The forum went exceedingly well,” said Simmons, “and we had the overwhelming support of everyone who attended. It was very encouraging. All the comments we received were positive.”
Simmons said approximately 150 people attended the forum, 30 percent of whom were ASU students. The event consisted of a half-hour project presentation by ASU REI; brief comments from ASU administration and select wind energy experts, including Brent Summerville, Dr. Dennis Scanlin and Steve Owen; and a one-hour open discussion forum where community members asked questions about the project.
For more information, click to www.rei.appstate.edu.
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