Wind for Schools Program
In 2008, Wind Powering America introduced the Wind for Schools (WfS) program in six states: Idaho, Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota. The Wind for Schools program aims to install small wind turbines at K-12 schools, initially targeting rural areas, to demonstrate wind energy basics to both students and community leaders. Building on our existing wind energy research programs, Boise State University has been named Idaho’s Wind Application Center.
PCCS Video Outlines Turbine Installation Process
Wind for Schools Objectives:
- Develop in-state technical assistance capacity through the development of Wind Applications Centers (WAC) located at a college or university in each state, which will educate engineers in wind applications analysis and development.
- Educate rural students in wind energy and engage rural communities in a discussion regarding applications and benefits of a robust wind energy future for rural America.
Wind for Schools Organization in Idaho
Implementing a school wind project is complex and involves many stakeholders. The WPA program has determined that it is prudent to engage an in-state person to interact with the variety of stakeholders that become involved in a school wind project. The key parties are the Wind Application Center and State Facilitator.
State Facilitator
Idaho’s WfS Facilitator is Brian Jackson of Renaissance Engineering & Design. The WfS facilitator will engage and coordinate the rural schools’ administrations & science teachers, the associated rural communities, the WAC leadership, the state energy office, and the in-state corporate green tag sponsors
.
|
|
|
Application
Contact
Telephone: 208-426-4840
Fax: 208-426-4834
Participating Schools
PCCS Pictures
Jerome Middle School Pictures
Data from all Turbines
Boise State – the WAC’s WAC
Boise State is the only Wind Application Center (WAC) in the Western Athletic Conference – the WAC’s WAC. Wind Application Centers in other states are:
WAC Objective: Establish and facilitate an education, training, and implementation center focused on wind energy applications and to provide technical assistance to the state stakeholders in the implementation of state WfS program activities. Over time it is expected that the WAC leadership will become the main facilitator for WfS and community wind development within the state and will become a center of wind expertise that can support local governments, state regulators and other state officials as needed. Boise State’s WfS coordinator is Todd Haynes, Energy Systems & Research Engineer.
|
|