Published: August 20, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Panel OKs turbine for Indiana Tech
FORT WAYNE – Indiana Tech now has the go-ahead to build a 135-foot-high wind turbine on campus.
The Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals granted approval Thursday for the university to build a 120-foot tower with blades that measure up to 15 feet.
Indiana Tech hopes to have the turbine erected late this year and placed on the east side of the Zollner Engineering Building near Maumee Avenue and South Anthony Boulevard. It will be used to provide educational opportunities in the school’s energy engineering program, generate electricity for the Zollner building and help the university save on energy costs.
The university submitted a proposal for the height of the turbine in July but was asked to resubmit the proposal after zoning officials found it misleading.
John Renie, associate professor of mechanical engineering, said only one neighbor expressed concern about the possible noise from the turbine.
In his estimation, he said the noise would be no louder than the outdoor air conditioning units next to the existing Indiana Tech buildings.
Renie said the 10-kilowatt turbine will cost about $110,000. To pay for the project, the school plans to use part of a $300,000 grant from Steel Dynamics. In case of problems, the top portion can be lowered using hydraulics.
Some environmentalists maintain wind turbines kill significant numbers of birds and bats, but Renie said those concerns are overblown.
The university has already ordered the equipment, Renie said, and hopes to install it over winter break.
Two wind turbines are also being built in Upland to help provide electricity for a new science building on the Taylor University campus.
The two 50-kilowatt turbines, which are more than 100 feet tall, are expected to be operational by the end of August.
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