Southwest Windpower

BSC and MDU partner on wind power project

KXnet.com
September 4, 2009
www.kxmc.com

Bismarck State College and Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (Montana-Dakota) are partnering on installation of a wind turbine for demonstration and educational purposes. The small turbine, recently installed at the southwest corner of the BSC campus, will provide power to a maintenance building behind the BSC Armory.

The turbine, a Skystream 3.7, is designed for homes and small businesses with a rated capacity of 2.4 kW (kilowatts).

"This is a great opportunity for our company and BSC to both benefit from this collaborative project," said Dave Goodin, president and CEO of Montana-Dakota. "The data from this demonstration site will help us assess the efficiency and benefits of small-scale projects while BSC will have a wonderful learning opportunity for its students."

The turbine provides access for students enrolled at BSC's National Energy Center of Excellence (NECE) to learn about wind as a renewable source of electricity generation. This renewable component will be integrated into existing energy program curriculum, said Kari Knudson, BSC vice president of the NECE.

"Having this demonstration turbine on campus will enhance the education about wind generation, which is becoming increasingly important across the nation," Knudson said.

Montana-Dakota provided direct and in-kind contribution for the purchase and installation of the wind turbine. This project was also funded in part by the North Dakota Office of Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency, N.D. Department of Commerce. The $13,000 grant required a 50 percent match.

Shane Goettle, commissioner of Commerce, said wind energy is an important component of North Dakota's extensive energy portfolio. "We are at the early stages of developing our state's wind energy potential," Goettle said. "We will continue to see small and large-scale wind energy development in our state so it's vital that future energy leaders educated at the National Energy Center of Excellence have this opportunity to learn first hand about wind energy."

BSC President Larry C. Skogen said the college greatly appreciates the support of Montana-Dakota and the state Department of Commerce to fund this project. "Anytime we can partner with industry on projects that enhance our students' education, it provides a benefit to both the college and then to industry through the comprehensive education their future employees are receiving," Dr. Skogen said.