Wind Turbine Powers Recycling Facility
Our 10 kW (kilowatt) wind turbine project is spinning along after being installed and tested in August 2005. The turbine is located adjacent to our recycling facility and provides power to the lights and machinery in the building.
The turbine is a joint project with the Vermont Department of Public Service to gather better data on wind resources around the state and to demonstrate the use of wind as a renewable energy source.The Midd turbine has been producing enough power to meet the demand of an average Vermont household and has been providing approximately 25% of the electrical needs of the recycling facility.
The idea for the wind turbine project originated in an Environmental Studies class taught by Amy Seidl. Through Middlebury College’s Environmental Grant program students in the class received funding to look at the potential for wind power on campus including feasibility, investigation of sites and potential funding sources. Based on their findings the College created a project that would assist the State of Vermont to explore the technology necessary for wind-generated electricity, collect information about available wind resources, provide research opportunities and offer educational outreach.
For data about the performance of the wind turbine vist the the Vermont Small-Scale Wind Energy Demonstration Program.
For more about the turbine project download: WindTurbineDataSheet.doc