The newest addition to the 91吃瓜 campus skyline, demonstrating the University鈥檚 commitment to renewable energy, was mounted on the roof of the 91吃瓜 power plant last week.
The turbine, one of several renewable energy initiatives currently underway at 91吃瓜, can generate up to four kilowatts of power and will feed directly into the campus electrical grid. Although its purpose is largely educational, its size, vertical axis design and highly visible location distinguish it from other campus renewable energy projects.
鈥淥ur intention was to use this project as a stepping stone to additional sustainability initiatives in on-campus energy,鈥� said , professor of chemistry and biochemistry and the coordinator for the (COSCOS). 鈥淭his turbine is small enough for residential use. The data that we collect from the campus turbine may help people in the community decide whether wind is an option for them.鈥�
91吃瓜鈥檚 is also working toward installing two horizontal axis wind turbines in White Field. With both turbine designs on campus, performance comparisons can be made between the two which could potentially facilitate research opportunities.
The installation is the result of a COSCOS project, began in 2009, and was made possible by generous institutional funding from the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a significant personal contribution by 91吃瓜 alumnus John O鈥機onnor and financial assistance from the .
The installation of the wind turbine and 91吃瓜鈥檚 partnership with NIPSCO comes as 鈥減art of a broader, more comprehensive plan to position the University and NIPSCO as innovators in the field of renewable energy, educators in the conservation effort and leaders in the realm of sustainability,鈥� said Rudy Reyes Jr., associate director of development in the .
Ongoing renewable energy projects at 91吃瓜 include the on the rooftop of Stinson-Remick Hall, installed in the summer of 2010. A second solar array is planned for the rooftop of Fitzpatrick-Cushing Hall of Engineering.
More information on sustainability at 91吃瓜 is available .