Our wind turbine is rated at 10 kW but will be mounted on 120 foot tower (pending variance). Other differences/similarities will be offered in subsequent postings.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
AEP - 10kW Turbine - Science Central
Just a close to home example of what we will be doing with our turbine in addition to the in-class educational aspects. Go to AEP's link http://www.aep.com/environmental/education/wind/fortwayne.aspx to get further details. There is a link to Science Central's monitoring site.
Our wind turbine is rated at 10 kW but will be mounted on 120 foot tower (pending variance). Other differences/similarities will be offered in subsequent postings.
Our wind turbine is rated at 10 kW but will be mounted on 120 foot tower (pending variance). Other differences/similarities will be offered in subsequent postings.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Things to come ...
We are getting prepared to install the foundation to support our tower. The base of the tower is equipped with a hydraulic lifting mechanism so that the tower can be raised and lowered for maintenance and support. To observe the operation of this process, watch the video below ...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Editorial in Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - July 27, 2011
Published: July 27, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Furthermore …
Indiana Tech’s towering proposal
While controversy continues in Whitley County over the possibility of a massive wind-farm operation, local zoning regulators are addressing a much more limited proposal that will pose similar questions: Should Indiana Tech be allowed to erect a wind turbine standing about 12 stories tall with blades of 14 feet in length?
The university has both practical and aesthetic reasons behind the proposal. The turbine would provide electricity for the university’s Zollner Engineering Building, where engineering students would have a unique opportunity for hands-on study of the turbines. And towering above the campus east of downtown, the turbine would undoubtedly became an iconic landmark denoting the school.
But before granting the request for a zoning waiver, members of the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals also need to study how the turbine would affect the East Central neighborhood, one that Indiana Tech has improved.
The proposed site of the tower – near Maumee Avenue and South Anthony Boulevard – may be far enough away from homes to have minimal effect. But the appeals board may well want a downsized tower.
The university has both practical and aesthetic reasons behind the proposal. The turbine would provide electricity for the university’s Zollner Engineering Building, where engineering students would have a unique opportunity for hands-on study of the turbines. And towering above the campus east of downtown, the turbine would undoubtedly became an iconic landmark denoting the school.
But before granting the request for a zoning waiver, members of the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals also need to study how the turbine would affect the East Central neighborhood, one that Indiana Tech has improved.
The proposed site of the tower – near Maumee Avenue and South Anthony Boulevard – may be far enough away from homes to have minimal effect. But the appeals board may well want a downsized tower.
Article in Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - July 22, 2011
Published: July 22, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Indiana Tech to resubmit turbine plans
Devon Haynie | The Journal Gazette
FORT WAYNE – The Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals delayed a decision Thursday on the height of a wind turbine to be placed at Indiana Tech.
John Renie, associate professor of mechanical engineering, said the university will resubmit its application so that the wind turbine's height can be about 134 feet, including the three blades, which are each 14 feet. The application before the zoning board said the wind turbine's height would be 120 feet, based on only the tower's height, he said.
That application was misleading, Renie said, so the zoning board advised the university to resubmit its application.
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 for educational opportunities in the school's energy engineering program, providing electricity to the Zollner building and helping the university save on energy costs.
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.
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