Monday, August 22, 2011

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

updated: 8/22/2011 12:55:27 PM

Indiana Tech to Install Wind Turbine

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report
Indiana Tech has received approval to install a wind turbine on its Fort Wayne campus. The school says it will be used for its bachelor's degree program in energy engineering. The $110,000 project will be paid for by a gift from the Steel Dynamics Foundation.

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=49368

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Landscaping of Foundation




Final Board Approval


Panel OKs turbine for Indiana Tech

 – Indiana Tech now has the go-ahead to build a 135-foot-high wind turbine on campus.
The Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals granted approval Thursday for the university to build a 120-foot tower with blades that measure up to 15 feet.
Indiana Tech hopes to have the turbine erected late this year and placed on the east side of the Zollner Engineering Building near Maumee Avenue and South Anthony Boulevard. It will be used to provide educational opportunities in the school’s energy engineering program, generate electricity for the Zollner building and help the university save on energy costs.
The university submitted a proposal for the height of the turbine in July but was asked to resubmit the proposal after zoning officials found it misleading.
John Renie, associate professor of mechanical engineering, said only one neighbor expressed concern about the possible noise from the turbine.
In his estimation, he said the noise would be no louder than the outdoor air conditioning units next to the existing Indiana Tech buildings.
Renie said the 10-kilowatt turbine will cost about $110,000. To pay for the project, the school plans to use part of a $300,000 grant from Steel Dynamics. In case of problems, the top portion can be lowered using hydraulics.
Some environmentalists maintain wind turbines kill significant numbers of birds and bats, but Renie said those concerns are overblown.
The university has already ordered the equipment, Renie said, and hopes to install it over winter break.
Two wind turbines are also being built in Upland to help provide electricity for a new science building on the Taylor University campus.
The two 50-kilowatt turbines, which are more than 100 feet tall, are expected to be operational by the end of August.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Monday, August 8, 2011

X marks the spot!

Digging for wind turbine foundation to start today. Watch this space!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Letter to Editor in Journal Gazette - 08-05-11

Indiana Tech turbine a symbol of future

Three cheers for Indiana Tech’s wanting to erect a wind turbine on their campus. Just drive east on U.S. 30 to the Ohio line and see what Ohio has done with dozens of turbines. They take your breath away … awesome.
I pray the board of zoning appeals approves the large wind turbine. Let’s not be seven years behind on energy progress.
I would love to have one in our backyard. Majestic and no sound. We have driven up right beside them … beautiful.

MARILYN L. SMITH New Haven

Thursday, August 4, 2011

AEP - 10kW Turbine - Science Central

Just a close to home example of what we will be doing with our turbine in addition to the in-class educational aspects.  Go to AEP's link http://www.aep.com/environmental/education/wind/fortwayne.aspx to get further details.  There is a link to Science Central's monitoring site.
Our wind turbine is rated at 10 kW but will be mounted on 120 foot tower (pending variance).  Other differences/similarities will be offered in subsequent postings.  


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Things to come ...

We are getting prepared to install the foundation to support our tower.  The base of the tower is equipped with a hydraulic lifting mechanism so that the tower can be raised and lowered for maintenance and support.  To observe the operation of this process, watch the video below ...

Revised Appeal - August 18, 2011

Case No.: DSV-2011-0090 July 21, 2011









Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Variance Sign - July 21, 2011

Editorial in Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - July 27, 2011

Furthermore …

Indiana Tech’s towering proposal

While controversy continues in Whitley County over the possibility of a massive wind-farm operation, local zoning regulators are addressing a much more limited proposal that will pose similar questions: Should Indiana Tech be allowed to erect a wind turbine standing about 12 stories tall with blades of 14 feet in length?

The university has both practical and aesthetic reasons behind the proposal. The turbine would provide electricity for the university’s Zollner Engineering Building, where engineering students would have a unique opportunity for hands-on study of the turbines. And towering above the campus east of downtown, the turbine would undoubtedly became an iconic landmark denoting the school.

But before granting the request for a zoning waiver, members of the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals also need to study how the turbine would affect the East Central neighborhood, one that Indiana Tech has improved.
The proposed site of the tower – near Maumee Avenue and South Anthony Boulevard – may be far enough away from homes to have minimal effect. But the appeals board may well want a downsized tower.

Article in Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - July 22, 2011

Published: July 22, 2011 3:00 a.m.
Indiana Tech to resubmit turbine plans
Devon Haynie | The Journal Gazette
FORT WAYNE – The Fort Wayne Board of Zoning Appeals delayed a decision Thursday on the height of a wind turbine to be placed at Indiana Tech.
John Renie, associate professor of mechanical engineering, said the university will resubmit its application so that the wind turbine's height can be about 134 feet, including the three blades, which are each 14 feet. The application before the zoning board said the wind turbine's height would be 120 feet, based on only the tower's height, he said.
That application was misleading, Renie said, so the zoning board advised the university to resubmit its application.
Indiana Tech hopes to have the turbine erected late this year and placed on the east side of the Zollner Engineering Building near Maumee Avenue and South Anthony Boulevard. It will be used for educational opportunities in the school's energy engineering program, providing electricity to the Zollner building and helping the university save on energy costs.
Renie said the 10 kilowatt turbine will cost about $110,000. To pay for the project, the school plans to use part of a $300,000 grant from Steel Dynamics. In case of problems, the top portion can be lowered using hydraulics.