Below is a summary of the more
interesting events that have occurred as part of the project. The
costs are contained on a different page, and
the equipment manuals are available that contain more comprehensive details.
Summary: The alternative energy
initiative started at WPCC when those of us in engineering were asked what would
we like to do, that we would not ordinarily do. In teaching electrical
engineering classes we discuss power, and alternative energy seemed like an
appropriate topic. In 2003 we made our first purchases. We purchased windmills
and solar panels and some associated equipment. Our original idea was to use it
directly for classroom instruction. This necessitated the design and
construction of a base for the solar panel. The design was developed by a
mechanical engineering student and the base was then fabricated by welding
students. The idea was to have it on wheels so it could be moved and stored
easily. Additionally we noticed that the windmill had sharp blades and
construction of a safety cage was considered. A cage was never built due to
design considerations. The reality was that the solar cart was too cumbersome to
easily use. The design focused on robustness and not having our portable cart
blow over in a strong wind. Therefore the cart was stored.
In early 2006 the building
construction classes were attempting to carry out class projects on the east
side of campus that had no power. To operate their tools required the use of a
portable generator. In visiting their site it was observed that the westward or
prevailing wind view was largely unobstructed and that the possibility also
existed of using the solar panels. With administrative approval we permanently
mounted our solar base at the new site and put up a windmill. Generally speaking
the idea is to have solar and wind (whatever is available) charging a battery
bank which in turn feeds an inverter to supply power 240 volt split phase for
building construction projects. Building construction started on a log cabin
building to ultimately house the batteries and electronics. They also built
foundations for the solar panel and two windmills. Electrical engineering
students assembled the passive solar tracker and the panels and mounted it to
the base. Welding students in consultation with Mechanical engineering assembled
the pole for the first windmill. Then a mixed group was on hand to attach the
windmill to the pole, raise it to its height of 45' above the ground. A battery
bank was purchased and the windmill was attached to the battery bank to keep it
fully charged. Small inverters were then used to demonstrate our alternative
energy progress.
We discovered that the solar panels
could not be connected to the battery pack because the voltage output is not
regulated. A charge controller would be necessary. The windmill on the other
hand had enough internal electronics and control to prevent overcharging the
batteries. We also were included the NCSEA (North Carolina Sustainable Energy
Association) tour in early October of 2006. Committing to this tour was very
helpful in making progress at utilizing our equipment. The threat of rain made
attendance low, but one individual in particular was particularly interested in
the windmills. This individual was appreciative in seeing a wind mill and
gaining some knowledge that he could make use of for an African village on an
upcoming mission trip.
In late October 2006 WPCC
engineering representatives attended a wind workshop put on by ASU at their wind
farm on Beech Mtn. The purpose of the workshop was to erect a new windmill and
learn about its features most notably the ease at which it ties into the
existing power grid. We determined that a similar wind mill could be purchased
and erected on our campus as part of connecting a house to the grid that was
currently off grid.
At the beginning of 2007 the one
windmill was still up, and keeping the batteries charged, the solar tracker was
consistently tracking the sun and gaining a history of reliability. Our next
step needed to be connecting the solar panels and windmills to the log cabin
with the batteries and inverter. This required conduit burial of about 170'. The
logistics or renting a trencher, coordinating schedules, and having favorable
weather were very daunting, so the college was able to purchase a trencher
attachment for one of our existing pieces of equipment. Most of the necessary
conduit and fittings were purchased, along with the materials needed for a
second windmill tower, a solar charge controller, and an inverter.
Summer 2007 the necessary trenches
were dug, and most of the conduit run. There is some finishing work required at
each end of the conduit and then the conductors can be pulled. In addition
temporary walls and roof will be placed in the log cabin in order to secure and
finish the electrical connections. The goal is to have power available and
equipment secure by the end of the summer. Once operational then calculations of
generated power and potential savings could then be generated.
On Friday Aug 3, 2007 the second windmill was raised. Some of the
> preparation work was accomplished the Wednesday before. The electrical
> connections were not completed at that time, but there are no major
> obstacles to completing the connections and having power available in
> the next month.
Other projects that are being
considered are:
Purchasing a grid tied windmill for
another college site, and putting it into operation. This wind mill will be 70'
high and located between the existing site and the Con-ed building. This would
give the college experience in "on" grid wind generation in addition to our
existing efforts which are strictly "off" grid.
Placing a standalone solar panel and
pump near a pond to aerate the pond to prevent algae growth. The algae growth in
the college ponds can produce an unpleasant smell. In addition to preventing
algae growth the college would then gain experience in standalone solar pumps.
This idea was also a previous consideration in terms of providing irrigation for
sustainable agriculture efforts.
On the west side of campus the
college has a pond with enough "fall" to potentially do some experimentation
with micro-hydroelectric generation. This capability along with solar panels
could provide for the aeration of that pond.
Bio-diesel is another potential.
This would involve the chemistry department (bio-diesel manufacturing is a
chemical reaction batch process), sustainable agriculture (to grow and provide
bio-diesel feedstock), and engineering (electrical to find a way to utilize the
power, and mechanical to study the effects of running bio-diesel in a
generator).
As this nation realizes the need to
develop alternatives to fossil fuel WPCC has possibilities to continue serving
the public need.
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