HOME > NEWS & PRESS > NEWS ITEM Vantage uses bequest to teach wind technologyShare Times Bulletin (OH) VAN WERT - The Vantage Career Center has purchased some equipment that will help students learn about a new technology, cut some utility costs and possibly even help attract some industry to the area. Using funds from the annual Rothacker/Lampe Bequest, the school has obtained a wind turbine that can convert wind energy into electricity. The current plans are for the unit to power the heat to the maintenance building on the east side of the school. Kent Taylor, an Electricity Instructor at Vantage, said that using the wind turbine really serves two purposes. "It's a good project for our students," he said, "Putting it up, installing it, pulling (data) off the turbine and then going through the whole planning stages really helps them learn about (the technology)." Of course the other advantage is the fact the unit should lower the cost of heating the building throughout the winter. But there is one more potential benefit that involves the local economy. As Van Wert Economic Development Director Nancy Bowen has tried to encourage new employers to move to the area, she has also had an eye toward diversifying the industry base in Van Wert County. As the search for renewable sources of energy has increased dramatically over the past few years and at least three different companies are signing options to erect large commercial turbines in the area, she has approached manufacturers of wind technology about locating a facility in Van Wert. Vantage having instruction in the Electricity Department and being able to train technicians in the industry would certainly help that goal. "I think that it is really going to help us," she told the Times Bulletin. "We are definitely looking at Wind as being one of our targeted industries in the whole alternative energy arena. It is very helpful that Vantage is doing that. It shows that they are ready and willing to work on training in that area." The unit that Vantage purchased is a residential-grade Whisper 200 from Southwest Windpower. It is designed to be used in low to moderate wind speed areas with the average wind speed being 12 mph or less. The unit, when installed, stands roughly 30 feet tall and contains three blades which have a nine-foot rotor diameter that is rated to deliver approximately 200 kilowatt hours a month in 12 mph winds. It will begin producing electricity at seven mph, has an upper wind speed limit of 28 mph and will rotate to use the wind to its peak efficiency. The electricity is stored in six batteries and when those are fully charged, the unit will automatically cycle off to save on wear and tear. The turbine will not be attached to the city electricity grid. Taylor said he expects the unit to be erected outside sometime after the first of the year.
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