Wind Energy Conference provides wealth of info
Wind energy is not just a fringe idea anymore, as shown by the large attendance on May 14 at the Central Iowa Wind Energy Conference.
The conference took place at the Newton DMACC Campus.
Many farmers and meat producers participated to gain knowledge about either supplementing their operations by leasing ground for utility company wind turbines or to gain knowledge about erecting small turbines to offset their production costs.
Persons with acreages attended to learn how they might harness the wind to power their home, and a few more attended to learn how to go about powering their city with the renewable resource.
Recently the cities of Jefferson and Story City have or are in the process of erecting turbines. Nevada School District has been operating a 200 KWH and a 250 KWH turbine for 15 years. They used a total of 1,588.872 KWH last year; the turbines supplied 434,134 KWH of their usage. They reported a savings of $236,562 over the course of the last seven years directly as a result of energy produced by the turbines.
Topics at the conference addressed by Bill Haman, P.E., Industrial Program Manager for the Iowa Energy Center, included; How wind works with the turbines to create electricity, what type of wind is more productive and what effect the type of rotor has on electrical production and sizing turbine production specifications with electrical needs.
Haman has designed an interactive page on the Iowa Energy Center website which uses wind study data collected from throughout the state.
This page can be used as a “first cut” wind study to determine if the city or a land owner has enough wind resource.
The page can also be used to forecast the electrical outcome of various turbine models. In the past it was necessary to hire an energy consultant for this type of wind study. The Iowa Energy Center is an invaluable resource to anyone interested in harnessing renewable energy. The web page for the Iowa Energy Center is www.energy.iastate.edu/.
The Iowa Energy center has a legal resource in Erin Herbold, Staff Attorney, Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, ISU Extension. She gave a short presentation on renewable energy contract negotiations and is a valuable resource for anyone looking to partner with a utility company.
One of the first stop resources for any renewable energy project are the utility companies. A panel discussion covered a wealth of information and provided a great interactive question and answer session. Seated at the panel were Dave Stineman, from Consumers Energy; Dean Crist, from Mid-American Energy; and Mike Goater, from Alliant Energy.
Early adopting wind turbine owners answered questions based upon their experience. Panelists included Richard “Scotty” Scott, buildings grounds & transportation director, Nevada School District; Gary Guthrie, rural owner; Andy McCall, swine producer & owner, and Dave Stineman from Consumers Energy.
Anyone with questions regarding wind energy for the farm or home can visit www.extension.iastate.edu/jasper