UMPI turns to wind energy

    PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Officials at the University of Maine at Presque Isle are moving forward with a plan to construct a windmill on the campus to help reduce the school’s reliance on outside sources for its electricity.
    UMPI President Don Zillman made the announcement May 3. Joining Zillman on behalf of the university were Charlie Bonin, vice president of finance and administration, and Dave St. Peter, director of physical facilities. Jim Wilson, of engineering firm Woodard & Curran, was also present to discuss UMPI’s plans to generate electricity for the campus from wind power.
“There’s an urgency for higher education to take a leadership role,” said Zillman. “This is our first major opportunity to carry that out and follows two years of technical studies of the campus regarding generating its own power through the use of windmills.”
With ever-increasing utility and fuel costs, Zillman said it was time to take action.
“The time has clearly come. It’s urgent we move away from coal/fossil fuels,” said Zillman.
The idea of constructing a windmill dates back several years, according to St. Peter.
“The idea dates back to the construction of Gentile Hall. We began looking for alternate ways to lessen energy costs – help reduce greenhouse gas. All those things are what (facilities of) higher education should do,” said St. Peter.
In addition to producing its own energy, officials determined the wind project would provide other opportunities on campus as well.
“This is an exciting venture that not only offers economical opportunities, but also educational, environmental and community leadership ones as well,” said Zillman.
The venture got under way after the U.S. Department of Energy directed the university toward the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and its Renewable Energy Research Laboratory. RERL installed wind monitoring equipment, including anemometers and wind direction vanes, in a field adjacent to the tennis courts on late November of 2004, said Zillman.
Collected monthly, the information was then sent by e-mail for analysis.
“Basically, the data told us that a wind turbine would be a fiscally feasible venture for us,” said Bonin. “We were originally envisioning larger turbines that would not only supply our own needs but also the needs of other higher education institutions in Aroostook County.”
Unfortunately, it was determined there wasn’t enough wind for that but there will be plenty to provide energy to UMPI facilities in what Bonin described as, “a cost-efficient manner.”
“With energy costs on the rise, this is a good move for our students, not to mention the environment,” said Bonin.
The wind farm project on Mars Hill Mountain proved it was possible to generate electricity in this area using windmills, thus reducing the demand for fossil fuels, said Wilson.
“We tried to interpret what could be done here. The wind data didn’t support a larger project but it will support a windmill smaller than those used on Mars Hill Mountain,” said Wilson. “A 500 KW turbine would best suit the energy needs of the campus.”
At this point, the design may call for one or two turbines, with consideration being given to future growth potential should demand for power increase.
“If we add a dormitory or otherwise expand, we may need an additional turbine to provide more electricity,” said Bonin.
The dimensions of the windmill won’t be determined until officials decide what type of windmill will be erected. The project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete at an estimated cost of $1.5 million and will save a minimum of $100,000 annually for the campus. The university currently spends around $385,000 on electricity. The wind turbine could save the campus one-quarter of that – around $100,000.
“That’s a low estimate on savings. The number could be even more saved, reducing the number of years it will take to pay for the project,” said Wilson.
St. Peter said UMPI is currently seeking funding anywhere it can find it.
“We’re looking for all the free money we can get,” said St. Peter, adding that the university is in the process of looking for grants and other means to pay for as much of the project as possible.
The university is seeking federal and state funding resources, but has the option to borrow the projected $1.5 million so the project can proceed in a timely manner, said Erin Benson, public relations director at UMPI.
Now that the initial research is done and once the design phase is finished, officials will look to purchase a turbine and move toward the bid phase of the construction of the windmill.
“Over the next 18 months, we’ll continue to move ahead with the project, with completion expected sometime in 2008,” said Zillman. “We want this to continue to be learning tool, while at the same time saving the university money on electricity.”