Wind turbine
to be built near Broyhill Inn ASU students agree to annual fee for
renewable energy
By Scott Nicholson
Appalachian State University is running with the wind
on a renewable-energy project.
After Appalachian State University students voted themselves into
a $5 annual fee to fund renewable-energy projects on campus in
2004, the investment is paying off in the state’s largest
wind-energy project.
The ASU Renewable Energy Initiative is installing a wind turbine
near the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center in Boone.
ASU REI is a student committee that was developed by the student
body. Though ASU has a number of sustainable development programs,
the REI operates independently while coordinating with the school’s
other assets, said committee chairwoman Crystal Simmons.
“This is a project being done through a student-led, student-created
committee,” Simmons said, noting students were still paying
the fee for future projects.
The electricity generated from the 155-foot turbine will be fed
into the power grid and essentially sold to New River Power &
Light, though it will be distributed back to ASU buildings.
“We will get paid for every kilowatt-hour that gets dumped
onto the grid,” Simmons said of the 100-kilowatt-hour turbine.
The wind turbine will be the largest in North Carolina and is
still on what is considered a community scale, as opposed to large,
commercial-scale wind farms.
The project was co-funded by New River Light & Power. Additionally,
the ASU senior class of 2009 decided to allocate its senior-class
gift fund toward the turbine project.
Installation is set to begin around April 1, and should be operable
by June 1. Simmons said the payback period for the project hasn’t
been calculated, as it’s primarily a demonstration site.
Though no more turbines are planned for the site, Simmons said
wind energy could be harvested at other campus locations, though
probably through smaller designs.
“The initiative operates on the campus only, and that’s
the best site on the campus,” Simmons said. “There may
be possible expansion, but under current technology, this is the
most feasible.”
The REI is also launching a solar thermal system that will provide
about 60 percent of the hot water for McAllister’s Deli and
Cascades Cafe on campus, with panels on the roof of the Plemmons
Student Union.
Appalachian State University operates a wind-energy research station
on Beech Mountain and has a student solar-energy society in addition
to its sustainable-development gardening projects.
“It fits in perfectly with our (ASU’s) broader mission,”
Simmons said. “Schools look up to us, not only for the REI
program — we’re renowned not just in the the state but
in the nation for our sustainability efforts.”
ASU REI is hosting the Broyhill Wind Turbine Public Information
Forum on March 4, in the Helen A. Powers Grand Hall at the Broyhill
Inn & Conference Center.
The event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and is free and
open to the public.
The forum will begin with opening remarks from ASU Chancellor
Ken Peacock followed by a half-hour project presentation given
by the ASU REI.
The educational forum will cover specific technical information
for the wind turbine project, as well as wind energy in general.
The program will conclude with a one-hour question-and answer-session.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information on REI, the wind turbine, or the forum, visit
www.rei.appstate.edu.
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