SRU uses wind, solar for power
SLIPPERY ROCK — A solar and wind turbine system this week began to generate electricity for the Macoskey Center at Slippery Rock University.
The tower for the wind turbine was set up Monday and the solar panels, which were already in place, were activated as well. The amount of energy generated each day will depend on the weather, but the system is already helping power the center, according to Thomas Reynolds, director.
The wind turbines power a generator that makes electricity without emissions. The solar system will use photovoltaic panels to convert the sun's rays into utility-grade current.
On Wednesday morning, about 114 watts of energy were generated, he said. That's enough to power two light bulbs. The day was not a windy one.
"The system is set up to handle 4.9 kilowatts at its peak," he said.
That amount of energy throughout the year will produce enough to provide about a third of the energy the center needs.
The high tower has become an instant landmark on a hill along Harmony Road near the Macoskey Center, Reynolds said.
The system follows up on research by former SRU graduate student Heath Gamache, who studied the feasibility of erecting a 100-foot meteorological tower on the Macoskey property that measured wind speed and direction for a year.
"By identifying, designing and implementing clean energy policy and technology solutions, we are delivering important environmental and economic benefits," Reynolds said. "The new system will also provide additional opportunities for students and the community at large to observe clean energy technology and study ways to move toward local energy independence."
Eventually, the data from the tower will be placed on a Web site so students and residents can see what the system is generating. Those who are interested in building such a tower for their homes can find information on the Web site too.
SRU received a $27,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Department Development Authority for the project.
The 83-acre Macoskey Center was created in 1990 to promote a shift at SRU and in the community toward sustainability. The center does this with events, workshops and programs that deal with environmentally safe concepts.
