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Article by: Minneapolis Star Tribune High in sky, it's a lesson about energy
A new, 160-foot-tall wind turbine in Apple Valley will help students at the School of Environmental Studies learn about alternative forms of power production. Apple Valley's first wind turbine reared its head last week at the School of Environmental Studies, which teamed up with the Dakota Electric Association to build the turbine and two sets of solar panels on the school's campus. Producing enough electricity to power about two homes, the turbine is a much smaller cousin to the monsters that populate commercial wind farms, some of which are 100 times more powerful. But at 160 feet, it's higher than the tallest building in Apple Valley and imposing enough to spark the imaginations of students and residents. The high school for juniors and seniors in District 196 will use the turbine primarily as an educational tool. Two flat-screen monitors, one outside at a kiosk under the tower and one in the school's cafeteria, will show real-time information about the turbine and solar panels, including wind speed and electrical output. A classroom computer will also collect historical information on the turbine and solar panels that teachers can use to design lessons about alternative energy. A wind turbine had been on the school's wish list for several years before, in 2006, the project grew legs after a meeting of Principal Dan Bodette, Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland and Dakota Electric CEO Craig Miller, said company project manager Craig Turner. Several students helped bring the turbine and solar panels to the school for their senior projects, making presentations to the City Council and Planning Commission, designing educational displays about wind and solar energy that will be posted at the turbine and even helping design the kiosk. The wind tower will also serve as a communications link for Dakota Electric, Turner said. The turbine should be running by Dec. 18, when the school will hold a dedication ceremony.
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