This week in Wisconsin, Gateway Technical College installed a Windspire wind turbine at its Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation campus. The Windspire will be used as both an educational tool about alternative energy and to help the college save money on their energy costs. Wind energy provides a variety of learning opportunities for both college level and high school science departments. By installing wind turbines on campus, students get to experience wind power up close.
Here are a series of photos of the actual installation of the wind generation system. Using a hinge pole, the wind turbine is quickly raised into place.
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- Start of a Windspire wind turbine installation at Gateway Technical College
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- Gateway Windspire wind turbine being installed
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- Wind power on a college campus
From the school’s press release:
The 30-foot wind vertical wind turbine was erected to the north of the CATI, 2320 Renaissance Blvd., and will be used to demonstrate to students the capabilities of energy monitoring and management. Instructors and students will use computer software to monitor the unit, which has applications in some Engineering programs, and will also serve as a test station for Gateway’s wind torque program. The turbine will generate an estimated 2,550 kilowatt hours annually, based on the prevailing wind speed for the region.
“Gateway is committed to link training programs with ‘green’ technologies,” said Gateway president Bryan Albrecht. “Wind training and energy management are areas the Windspire will add real-world experiences for our students.
“By using the turbine to generate power we are also reducing the cost of purchasing electricity to operate the Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation.”
