Wind turbine

From CarlWiki

In September 2004, Carleton completed work on a $1.8 million, 1.65 megawatt wind turbine, also known as the windmill. A dedication ceremony was held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 25th, which featured an appearance by Schiller. President Oden and several others jogged to the event. The wind turbine's site is 1.5 miles east of campus on Wall Street road. The wind turbine produces as much energy as 40% of Carleton's electricity usage. Through a deal with XCel Energy, Carleton will sell electricity to the XCel Energy grid and buy back electricity for its own use. This is in part because wind energy production does not necessarily coincide with Carleton's energy demand, particularly during the summer and winter break evenings, when very few people are on campus. Carleton's electrical grid is not structurally able to use the power directly from the generator.

In early October 2007, the turbine had mechanical problems and was shut down for repairs. Someone, on the Facilities Managgement web page, wrote that the turbine needed a new gear box. Replacement will be done under warranty from the manufacturer. A crane needed for the repairs arrived in mid-November.

(See "Carleton's wind turbine is broken" in the November 2, 2007 Northfield News.)

Rivalry

St. Olaf College also constructed a wind turbine. Unlike Carleton's generator, it will directly supply electricity to the St. Olaf campus. Surpluses, if any, are sold to Xcel Energy. The turbine stands very visibly along state highway 19, the primary route to Northfield from Interstate 35.