SAD 1’s wind power plan cools down
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — At the June 8 SAD 1 board meeting, directors voted to allow the recording of wind data to continue for another year while at the same time continuing to explore federal grants and other sources that don’t require funding from the local operational budget.
Last year, two meteorological or met towers were installed in SAD 1 — one at Mapleton Elementary School and the other at Presque Isle Middle School. The met towers collect data at various heights to ensure suitable wind speeds.
At the meeting, project consultant Andy Perkins said that based on recorded data, the district’s wind power initiative is feasible.
“The wind resource is not a bonanza,” he said, “but it will make the turbines spin and tentatively save you some money if Mother Nature agrees with my calculations.”
Data results at the middle school show the average 45-meter wind speed for the entire monitoring period (April 1, 2010-March 31, 2011) is 4.69 meters per second, which relates to about 11 mph. The average 35-meter wind speed for the monitoring period is 4.42 meters per second.
The average 60-meter wind speed for the monitoring period in Mapleton is 5.15 meters per second. The average 50-meter wind speed is 4.92 meters per second, while the average 40-meter wind speed is 4.99 meters per second.
“The calculated average 60-meter, 50-meter and 40-meter wind speed at the site will support the installation of a commercial scale turbine,” said Perkins.
Larry Fox, wind power project coordinator for SAD 1, reminded board members that a moratorium is still in effect in Mapleton while selectmen work on developing their wind power ordinance.
Perkins, president of Perkins Engineering, Inc. of Orono, has spoken with the manufacturers of the modeled turbines and determined in order to purchase and install the Northwind 100 or the Aeronautica 225, a budget of $750,000 — per unit — would be needed.
“I am also projecting a budget of $10,000 annually for the operations, maintenance and insurance,” he said. “By selecting the Northwind 100, PIMS could save approximately $15,000 annually in electrical energy costs at the current rates. By selecting the Aeronautica 225, the school could save approximately $23,000 per year.
“The analysis indicates the wind turbines will operate and supplement the electrical load for the school,” Perkins said. “In order for the project to provide a cost effective alternative energy option, there needs to be a further research on available grant funds, no interest loans and other funding options that may exist.”
Mapleton could save $16,000 annually by opting to go with the Northwind 100, or $25,000 if going with the Aeronautica 225 if the school was allowed to credit other SAD 1 campuses with the excess energy generated.
Perkins told directors that if they were interested in moving forward, he would suggest putting together a request for quotes (RFQ) to turbine manufacturers and contractors for a “full wrap proposal” to permit, design, purchase and construct the project.
“By preparing an RFQ for a full wrap project,” he said, “the school would be minimizing their financial exposure and receive real costs for the development of the project. An RFQ would also provide an opportunity to evaluate other possible turbine options that may be more efficient for the wind resource and/or less cost purchase and construction options.
“Right now turbines are available and vendors are hungry,” said Perkins.
Director Robert Cawley said unless grant money were available to help pay for the project, he would “have a hard time supporting the idea right now.”
“With all the financial issues that we have, I can’t imagine too many people would be thrilled with us to take $1.5 million and use that for wind towers,” he said.
Barbara Ladner said she is “absolutely for the idea of wind power,” while Scott Norton was more skeptical of the data. “I haven’t seen anything to prove to me that this is something we can take to the bank,” he said.
Director Terry Sandusky, who made the motion to continue the investigation for another year, did so with the stipulation that maintenance costs not exceed more than $1,000 per tower. The motion was approved 16-1.
Superintendent Gehrig Johnson noted after the meeting that because wind results were not as strong as expected, and funding sources are sparse, he could not recommend to the board to go forward with this initiative.
“Perhaps another year of data collection — together with continuing the funding search — will change our perspective,” he said. “I think we need more time to look into this and explore financing options through private sources.”
