Program tests wind power potential

ARKANSAS - A new program to test the potential of various sites around Arkansas for their use as wind power generating stations will be carried out as a partnership between a university and the state.

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission and John Brown University in Siloam Springs are teaming up for the project. Landowners will be able to borrow test equipment to see if their property has enough breeze to make it worth putting up wind turbines.

The energy office of the Economic Development Commission, paid $47,000 for four anemometers, covered in party by a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Energy Department. Anemometers measure wind speed, direction and duration.

Renewable energy students at John Brown University will begin loaning out the 111-feet-tall anemometers in August.

Students will track the instruments' readings for a year, determining whether the wind is strong enough to propel turbines to power nearby buildings.

"A good turbine that you can be confident will work in the long-term can cost tens of thousands of dollars," said Jenny Ahlen, renewable energy programs coordinator for the Arkansas Energy Office. "It makes sense that people want to collect all of the data they can before they make an investment like that."

Similar programs have been developed in 23 states.

Calvin Piston, chairman of John Brown's natural sciences division, said the partnership will provide students a practical way to study their subject matter. The school is launching a major in renewable energy, and 15 students are to enroll in the course of study for the fall. They are to learn about wind, solar and biomass applications.

"It's something people are thinking about now," Piston said. "Still, right now in Arkansas electricity's pretty cheap. How long it will remain cheap is another question."

Related News

nuclear plant

Can Europe's atomic reactors bridge the gap to an emissions-free future?

PARIS - Shaken by the loss of Russian natural gas since the invasion of Ukraine, European countries are questioning whether they can extend the lives of their ageing nuclear reactors to maintain the supply of affordable, carbon-free electricity — but national regulators, companies and governments disagree on how long the atomic plants can be safely kept running.

Europe avoided large-scale blackouts last winter despite losing its largest supplier of natural gas, but industry is still grappling with high electricity prices and concerns about supply.

Given warnings from the International Energy Agency that the coming winters will be particularly at risk from a…

READ MORE
cyprus map

Cyprus can’t delay joining the electricity highway

READ MORE

ontario-launches-largest-competitive-energy-procurement

Ontario Launches Largest Competitive Energy Procurement in Province’s History

READ MORE

hydro one

New Hydro One CEO aims to repair relationship with Ontario government — and investors

READ MORE

electricity-prices-in-france-turn-negative

Electricity Prices in France Turn Negative

READ MORE