Wind for Schools Program
As per a story reported on the KELOLAND news:
Eight schools in South Dakota have been picked for a wind energy program that teaches students the fundamentals of the renewable source.
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Gary Hanson says “Wind for Schools” is designed to provide tools, build knowledge and form interest in wind energy at all levels.
One school each from eight selected districts will have a small wind turbine installed, receive specific curricula and be supported by local utility providers.
Districts include Douglas, Sanborn Central, Faith, Selby, Aberdeen, Elkton, Stanley County and Sioux Falls. The eight schools were selected out of 32 that applied.
The PUC expects the program to expand over the next several years, giving more schools the chance to participate.
As reported in the Rapid City Journal:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provided a resource and site assessment for each applicant. The PUC coordinated the application process for the program and arranged for financial and other support from utility providers.
“I think the Wind for Schools program has real potential to be a success story for South Dakota,” said Steve Kolbeck, PUC vice chairman. “The schools’ administration and teachers are excited about the project and local utility providers have pledged their support and enthusiasm as well. I envision the entire community rallying around this project,” he said.
The Wind Application Center at South Dakota State University will check each selected site, oversee the turbine and equipment installation and provide other technical help.
Wind for Schools is a national outreach program from Wind Powering America, a component of the U.S. Department of Energy and NREL.
As reported in The Daily Republic:
Wind turbine to be used as learning tool in Forestburg
Austin Kaus
The Daily Republic - 08/16/2008
FORESTBURG — The South Dakota winds that predictably blow across the prairie will soon provide a hands-on educational experience for students at Sanborn Central.
The school was one of eight in the state recently selected to participate in the inaugural launch of the Wind for Schools program.
The program involves the installation of a 70-foot, 1.8-kilowatt turbine on campus. Students will be able to monitor the electrical output of the turbine inside the school, which is expected to be between 3,600 and 4,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Linda Whitney, superintendent, said the program will provide her students with a unique chance to learn firsthand about wind power.
“It’s an opportunity to see how wind energy actually does work,” Whitney said. “They’ll learn about kilowatts in a lab setting instead of a book.”
Whitney said she’ll meet with the Sanborn County Zoning Commission on Sept. 4 to discuss obtaining a conditional use permit to construct the turbine in front of the school along Highway 34. The permit is needed because the turbine will be taller than 30 feet.
Although the power generated for the school will make up only a fraction of the building’s electrical needs, the educational value of the tower will be “exciting,” Whitney said.
“At any given moment, they can see what it’s producing,” Whitney said.
The program was initiated by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Wind Powering America, a component of the U.S. Department of Energy. Whitney is hoping that the program will include more schools in the coming years.
On a local level, the school has partnered with East River Electric Power Cooperative and Central Electric.
Whitney said the project will cost the school approximately $3,500 to assist with construction costs.
The costs of the project were known when the school applied early this year, Whitney said, and were deemed worthwhile considering the growing interest in wind power both locally and nationally.
“We kind of sit out in the middle of nowhere, so wind energy is becoming more and more of an alternative to fossil fuels,” she said. “I thought, and the (school) board agreed that it would be good to apply for it.”
Other schools in the state that will participate in the program include Douglas, Faith, Selby, Aberdeen, Elkton, Stanley County and Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls.
The data gathered from the eight participating schools will eventually be studied by officials at South Dakota State University.
As more wind farms are discussed in South Dakota, Whitney is also hoping that once the tower is constructed, drivers passing by will have their interest piqued in wind power.
“I think it’s something of the future,” Whitney said.
The Wind for Schools Program was also in the Huron Daily Plainsman.
An article about the Wind for Schools Program was recently in the Argus Leader.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I think this will be a great learning opportunity for our students! Thanks to the Sanborn Central School District and the local utility providers for bringing this project to our communities.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Congratulations, Sanborn Central. This is a great honor to be selected as one of 8 out of 32 possible schools. I’ll look forward to seeing your new wind turbine when it arrives.
August 16th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
What an educational opportunity for the students. I have a feeling that wind power is here to stay and Sanborn Central will be on the ground floor. Thanks to all who worked to provide this opportunity and to the staff and teachers who are placing our students on the ground floor of something so exciting!
September 9th, 2008 at 11:10 am
This is a great experience for the staff, volunteer and students. I hope this project leads to new opportunities.
September 30th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Congratulations to Sanborn Central to provide the students with the opportunity to learn more about wind power first-hand.