Wind Power
Norris
Wind 'Lab' Tests Equipment
Rice
Ridge Renewable Energy Park near Norris, Montana, is one of three major wind resource
areas in the state. The wind energy test facility resulted from a collaboration
among Montana Power, several wind development companies, and the Energy Division
of the State Department of Environmental Quality. The first turbine was installed
at the site in November 1994. The photo shows the turbine, a Bergey Excel 10kW
with 11-foot blades. The turbine is on a tilt tower that can be safely raised
and lowered by a boom truck for inspection and servicing.
Montana Wind Energy
Cluster Program
Engineers and scientists
at the Wind Energy Cluster Program at Montana State University are studying wind
turbine blade design and testing designs at a number of sites in Montana. The
Wind Energy Program has two main focus areas in wind energy technology.
The first area concentrates
on improving the structural performance of wind turbine blades so that they will
meet severe service requirements over their design lifetime with minimum blade
weight and cost. Blade weight and cost are significant elements in the overall
cost of wind generated power, and improved technology can have a significant impact
in this area. This program is now recognized as a major contributor by the National
Laboratories and the wind industry.
The second focus area
is to assist in the development of the outstanding wind resources in Montana and
the region. Efforts to date have led to a major Avian study and a demonstration
project at the Blackfeet Community College, both of which have received major
independent funding in the last year. Continuing efforts will shift toward studies
related to distributed generation in cooperation with Montana Power Company.
The Wind Program is
well on its way to establishing facilities and expertise necessary to serve as
a national resource in wind technology, with an increasing presence in National
meetings and publications, as well as a significant impact on the educational
program in the four participating universities and colleges and on local industry.
The program includes studies of wind machines effects on birds.
The cluster includes
20 faculty working together from four institutions, plus state-agency personnel
and a start-up manufacturing company. Among the faculty are senior members redirecting
their careers, two faculty members from the Blackfeet Community College, young
faculty members and an advisory board.
Wind
Energy Cluster Program photo
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