1. The Wind Turbine Project at the University of Rhode Island Auriane Koster, Undergraduate Research Fellow University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881 Wind Energy: The most affordable of all renewable energy sources – cost of wind power has dropped by almost 90% over the past 20 years. One 215-foot-tall wind turbine could prevent the release of nearly 5 million pounds of pollutants that contribute to global warming, smog, acid rains, and public health risks (i.e. asthma, pulmonary problems, lung cancer, etc.). When compared to the average electric generation mix, the carbon dioxide benefit is equivalent to planting over 3,800 trees or taking 315 cars off the road each year. In the US we have enough wind for 400% for all our energy needs – government - industry – transportation – commercial – domestic. Photo simulation of proposed URI wind turbine site. The Wind Turbine Project at URI: In the Fall of 2003, an initiative to develop and install a wind turbine on the University of Rhode Island Kingston Campus was proposed by an undergraduate student, Courtney Blodgett. To spearhead this initiative, the Renewable Energy Club (REC) was created and recognized by the Student Senate. Support was received by the URI Offices of the President and Provost. In Fall, 2004, the Master Plan Review Team, comprised of faculty members from different disciplines at the University, studied photo simulations of 7 potential locations suitable on the Kingston Campus. A location for the wind turbine was chosen based on site availability, accessibility to the main grid, and distance from interfering buildings and trees. In the Spring of 2005, NORESCO, the company hired by URI to perform an energy audit of the University, collaborated with the students from the REC, to determine the monetary feasibility of the turbine project. They discussed with the students the necessity of installing an anemometer near the proposed turbine location in order to assure that the site is suitable for a wind turbine. In January 2006, with funding provided by the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, an anemometer and independent 165 foot tower, loaned to the University through an equipment loan program with Roger Williams University, was installed on campus. Monitoring of wind data: We can see that the wind speed is usually around 5 meters/second (11.2 miles/hour) since this is the wind speed most of the time (Fig. 1). Results to Date: We compared power curves for GE and Fuhrlander wind turbines (Fig. 2). A power curve is the measure of a wind turbine’s power output at various wind speeds. The results suggest that a GE wind turbine is the best choice for URI since its power output is higher at average wind speeds of 5 meters/sec (11.2 miles/hour). With an average wind speed of 5 meters/sec (11.2 miles/hour) we would expect to derive 259.5 kW of power (out of a possible 1500 kW) from the turbine. This would yield a savings of $243,479 per year. With an estimated construction cost of $1.95 million we could pay back the cost of the turbine in eight years. Wind turbine at Hull, MA. What’s Next: The data will continue to be analyzed by members of the Renewable Energy Club, NORESCO, and Roger Williams University. We will continue discussions with NORESCO on financing and outreach. Based on the anemometer data, NORESCO will officially decide if the project is feasible. NORESCO would like the Renewable Energy Club to help with the initial cost of the turbine. We have been looking into grants and funding. We had plans of applying for the STAR grant provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this year, but due to funding issues at the State level we decided it would be best to wait till we are more certain of the construction date. The Turbine will: Advance URI’s commitment to sustainability and complies with the local community’s North District Plan. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. It puts URI on the cutting edge of technology, which in a continually growing economy is very important. Will enhance the image of URI in the academic community and will offer educational opportunities. Allow engineering students to study the fluid mechanics of wind energy generation, and environmental scientists and business majors to learn about alternatives to conventional energy sources, and the economics of sustainability. URI Renewable Energy Club members. Taylor Spalt mixing concrete for the anchors of the anemometer. Acknowledgements: Thank you to NORESCO, Taylor Spalt, Rayvon Miller, Erich Stevens, Nancy Selman, Lefteris Pavlides, Roger Williams University, Henry Dupont, The Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, The Rhode Island Department of Energy, The URI Coastal Fellows program. An anemometer anchor. Raising the anemometer tower. Preparing for elevation of anemometer. Vs. Which would you prefer? For Further Information Wind Energy-an overview Power Point, Elefterios Pavlides, Roger Williams University. REC website: http://www.uri.edu/student_organizations/rec / http://www.uri.edu/student_organizations/rec / Auriane Koster: akoster@mail.uri.edu Figure 1: The graph represents wind distributions from January 21, 2006 to April 6, 2006. It shows the average total hours of the different wind speeds over the course of the three months. Our anemometer tower currently has three anemometers gathering wind speeds at three different heights; 50m, 35m, and 20m respectively. Data is recorded every 10 minutes, and then averages are made on a per day, per month, per anemometer basis. Figure 2: The following graph represents the wind distribution versus the power curve of both a GE model wind turbine and a Fuhrlander wind turbine. Power curve is just the measure of the wind turbine’s power output at different wind speeds.