August 11,2005

Morrison gets educational wind tower

Turbine will be used to give residents a look at energy ideas
By Sunnie Redhouse/St. Cloud Times

Photo courtesy of Gary Payne

Dave Winkelman of the WATER Foundation and Winkelman's Environmentally Responsible Construction in Brainerd helped the Morrison County Agricultural Society write a grant and install a wind tower at the Morrison County fairgrounds in Little Falls.

Little Falls- Morrison County's new wind turbine tower will be used as an educational tool to teach residents about sustainable and renewable energy.

"It's a chance for us to learn about wind energy and to teach it," said Carol Schmidt, secretary-treasurer of Morrison County Agricultural Society.

Through the help of two non-profit environmental groups - the Water Foundation and Windy River Fair - the agricultural society got a $20,000 grant from Minnesota Power to build the tower this summer on the Morrison County fairgrounds in Minnesota to have a permanent wind tower.

"We're hoping more people will consider this type of hardware in their back yards" said David Winkelman, general contractor of Winkelman's Environmentally Responsible Construction and founder of The WATER Foundation. Both are based in Brainerd.

The tower was installed July 20, in time for the Morrison County and Windy River fairs.

Classes will be offered on what a wind tower does, how it helps homeowners and farmer and how to install one near a home or on a farm.

The 120-foot turbine will produce enough energy to power a small farm with its 20-kilowatt system and 31-foot rotor.

"If we focus on local production, we can become more self-reliant," said Kristin Blann, coordinator of the Windy River Fair. The fair was an environmental exposition in July on the Morrison County fairgrounds.

"Students throughout Minnesota can learn about wind power if touring the wind tower is added to lesson plans in schools," Schmidt said.

10-year payback

This idea to put up a wind tower started in November.

Blann and Winkelman helped write a funding proposal that was sent to Minnesota Power's grant committee.

"The wind tower is a better way to rely on homegrown energy," Blann said.

Morrison County's wind tower grant was one of two approved by Minnesota Power.

The focus when establishing the tower was to provide economic development for families while using sustainable and renewable energy.

Before the grant was sought, Morrison County was looking at a 15- to 20-year payback.

Because the grant was secured, the project has a 10-year payback.

The wind tower soon will pay for itself with the energy it creates.

"It's one thing to talk about conservation and another to get technology on the ground," Winkelman said.

The wind turbine will have a meter in the 4-H building at fairgrounds that will show how much power is being sent to the power company.

Then a check or credit will be sent to Morrison County Agricultural Society each month.

Educational tool

At the base of the wind turbine are signs explaining the steps required to get a wind turbine, how the turbine works and a list of this project's finances, sponsors and contractors.

There are a number of plans being made for the wind tower and its educational aspects.

One is establishing a highly visible meter that will display wind speed and amount of electricity being made.

"People can see how much money is in the wind," Winkelman said.

Other ideas include once-a-month bus and van tours for school groups, Boy Scouts, community leaders and the public.

Winkelman and two other contractors will lead the tours.

There is also the idea of building a 200-foot wind tower alongside the 120-foot tower to show the different winds speeds and how much power can be made at various heights.

"It's a work in progress. It gives hope," Winkelman said.