From TCExtra.com
Marvelwood School considers wind energy
By SHAW ISRAEL IZIKSON
10/02
KENT — Plans are in the works for construction of a wind turbine farm on the campus of Marvelwood School in Kent.
Wind turbines look like large metallic windmills, with two or three blades that rotate as they are blown by wind. As they rotate, a turbine generates electricity based on how fast the wind blows the blades.
Bob Chew is president of Long Island-based Solar Wrights, the company behind the Marvelwood wind project.
He said the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund has selected the school’s Skiff Mountain location, along with sites in New Haven and Stonington, to test the potential that wind turbines might have for the state.
“They chose Marvelwood’s campus because it has a high elevation and the land does not have a lot of trees surrounding it,” Chew said. “Also, the school had an interest in showing students, by example, what alternative energy technology looks like.”
Chew said the plan is to build two turbines, each with two blades. Each tower will stand around 109 feet and would generate 5 to 5.6 kilowatts.
“All of the energy generated would be used by the school,” Chew said. “This is what is called a ‘net metered’ installation, which means that the school could sell any surplus electricity back to the grid. However, I doubt this will happen because the school has power loads all of the time. I doubt that their electric meter would spin backwards.”
The electricity generated from the turbines would be measured for a year as part of a study analyzing the performance of wind turbines in the state.
“The data we will get from these towers will be valuable for residents who would like to know about wind speed in different parts of the state,” Chew said. “Depending on the results of the study, if everything goes well, it is possible that we could replace the two small turbines with one larger turbine or possibly place a larger turbine with the other two existing turbines.”
Although the turbines would generate some noise as it operates, Chew said area residents probably would not hear it.
“Every wind turbine generates noise, but you wouldn’t hear these turbines from even 40 to 50 feet away,” Chew said. “They’re not really noisy. ”
In fact, he said, it’s likely that the sound of the wind and of trees blowing would probably drown out the sound of the machines.
The company hopes to install the concrete foundations of the turbines before winter, Chew said. The concrete would need 30 days to dry, and then the turbines can be put in place.
Kent Zoning Enforcement Officer Jennifer Calhoun said the company needs a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals, because the towers will be 100 feet high, more than triple the town’s maximum building height of 30 feet.
First Selectman Ruth Epstein said she doesn’t know enough yet about the project to comment on it. However, she said, with energy prices at an all-time high, any alternative plans are of interest.
Chew said the company plans to be at the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. at Kent Town Hall.
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